What Is Cyclobenzaprine Used For?
Off-label prescribing is when a doctor prescribes medication as treatment for a condition other than what the FDA has approved it for. Medications are approved by the FDA to treat specific conditions, but doctors are permitted to prescribe medications “off-label” when they deem it medically appropriate for their patients. In addition to the chronic pain, irregular sleep and fatigue are common complications for those afflicted. Cyclobenzaprine helps to treat this pain and make sleep easier for many patients, improving their quality of life. The efficacy of FLEXERIL 5 mg was demonstrated in two seven-day, double-blind, controlled clinical trials enrolling 1405 patients. One study compared FLEXERIL 5 mg and 10 mg t.i.d. to placebo; and a second study compared FLEXERIL 5 mg and 2.5 mg t.i.d. to placebo.
The overall incidence of adverse reactions among patients in the surveillance program was less than the incidence in the controlled clinical studies. People might also use Flexeril as a way to come down from Stimulant drugs, such as Cocaine or Adderall. When people addicted to Flexeril attempt to stop taking it or reduce their doses they may start to experience withdrawal symptoms, although these are typically not severe. Flexeril withdrawal symptoms can include headache, nausea, fatigue, and cravings for the drug. The extended-release formulation should be administered at the same time each day.
Risks of Combining Flexeril and Alcohol
However, when abusing Flexeril recreationally, it does become a greater risk to the user. In the first place, Flexeril abuse can end up causing an overdose, the effects of which can be incredibly dangerous. Dangerous fluctuations in body temperature, irregular heartbeat, and even convulsions are all possible from too much cyclobenzaprine recreational use. Flexeril recreational use can also end up leading to the development of physical dependency.
- So, please don’t discount the need for professional treatment if you’re addicted to Flexeril.
- In this way, they receive support and help from others who understand their condition and can provide space to recover and heal.
- One study compared FLEXERIL 5 mg and 10 mg t.i.d. to placebo; and a second study compared FLEXERIL 5 mg and 2.5 mg t.i.d. to placebo.
- However, the patient population in this study was 93% male, and is considered a ‘proof of concept’ at its present stage.
- Below are the recommended guidelines for taking cyclobenzaprine.
- Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Seizures should be controlled with benzodiazepines or, if these are ineffective, other anticonvulsants (e.g. phenobarbital, phenytoin). Physostigmine is not recommended except to treat life-threatening symptoms that have been unresponsive to other therapies, and then only in close consultation with a poison control center. The plasma concentration of cyclobenzaprine is increased in the elderly (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Pharmacokinetics, Elderly). The elderly may also be more at risk for CNS adverse events such as hallucinations and confusion, cardiac events resulting in falls or other sequelae, drug-drug and drug-disease interactions. For these reasons, in the elderly, cyclobenzaprine should be used only if clearly needed. In such patients FLEXERIL should be initiated with a 5 mg dose and titrated slowly upward.
Proper Flexeril Dosage
Cyclobenzaprine is not approved or recommended for treating anxiety but it does cause some of the same side effects as other anti-anxiety medications including sleepiness and drowsiness. These factors may affect how you should use this medication. People should avoid tasks that necessitate alertness until they know how Flexeril will affect them. Some people may not feel drowsiness at all, while others may feel it intensely. Other common Flexeril side effects include nausea, dry mouth, and dizziness. Cyclobenzaprine’s plasma concentrations average 40% higher in the elderly, making these patients more at risk of the drug’s harmful effects.
Cyclobenzaprine: Side Effects, dosage, uses, and more – Medical News Today
Cyclobenzaprine: Side Effects, dosage, uses, and more.
Posted: Fri, 22 May 2020 13:31:24 GMT [source]
The risk of overdose is significantly increased when Flexeril is combined with other drugs, particularly alcohol or Benzodiazepines. This combination can cause extreme drowsiness and respiratory depression, but many people that abuse Flexeril will mix the substances anyway simply to increase the intoxication experienced. flexeril.live Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Cyclobenzaprine is a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant structurally related to tricyclic antidepressants.
The more effective drug is the one that works best for a particular situation. Flexeril is one of the most researched muscle relaxants, so there is more evidence to support its efficacy. Yes, you can overdose on Flexeril — including cyclobenzaprine 10 mg dose. Some skeletal muscle relaxants (e.g., carisoprodol) have sedative properties so people may attempt to misuse a drug like cyclobenzaprine thinking that it will have similar sedating effects.
Do you have questions about Flexeril addiction or about how you can get treated? Severe CNS depression may result in significantly slowed breathing, over sedation, coma, and death.3 If you are unable to stop abusing one or more substance, it’s time to seek help. Admitting your substance use has gotten out of control can save your life. Talk with your doctor about other drug options that may work for you. As with all medications, the costs of cyclobenzaprine can vary. Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking.
Evidence suggests that the net effect of cyclobenzaprine is a reduction of tonic somatic motor activity, influencing both gamma (γ) and alpha (α) motor systems. At oral doses of up to 10 times the human dose, cyclobenzaprine did not adversely affect the reproductive performance or fertility of male or female rats. Cyclobenzaprine did not demonstrate mutagenic activity in the male mouse at dose levels of up to 20 times the human dose. Abrupt cessation of treatment after prolonged administration rarely may produce nausea, headache, and malaise.
I was already feeling very calm and it seemed like every muscle in my body was relaxed. I felt the second dose kick in about two and a half hours after I started. It was almost as if it would be too difficult for me to even move. About three hours in, I started having some visual hallucinations. I thought I saw someone standing in my bedroom, and it looked like a child.