Flexeril Abuse Signs, Symptoms, and Addiction Treatment

Steroid, anesthetic, or radiofrequency denervation injections may be necessary to combat some forms of pain and inflammation. If your doctor prescribes an antidepressant for your pain, give it a try for several weeks. The drug will need to build up in your system in order to have maximum effect. If an antidepressant helps to some degree but you still have pain, talk to a healthcare provider about incorporating a medication from another drug class into your treatment plan. Overall, however, the literature shows that cyclobenzaprine is likely safer than other muscle relaxants such as carisoprodol, as well as some antidepressants (17). Cyclobenzaprine shares chemical similarities to tricyclic antidepressants, which are also sometimes prescribed to address muscle pain (2).

New on the streets: Gabapentin, a drug for nerve pain, and a new … – STAT

New on the streets: Gabapentin, a drug for nerve pain, and a new ….

Posted: Thu, 06 Jul 2017 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Especially in the case of back pain, physical therapy is an effective first-line treatment. Physical therapists combine stretches and exercises to strengthen muscles and relieve pressure from joints. The primary adverse side effects of cyclobenzaprine are related to the central nervous system (CNS), and include drowsiness, dizziness, and nervousness (10). Some patients also report gastrointestinal issues (stomach problems) like nausea, vomiting, constipation, and loss of appetite, as well as dry mouth (11, 12). Any missing drug warnings or information does not in any way guarantee the safety, effectiveness, or the lack of adverse effects of any drug.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Xanax?

If you are facing a medical emergency or considering suicide or self harm, please call 911 immediately. Abusing prescription medication like Flexeril can greatly increase the likelihood of developing an addiction. If you or someone you care about is at risk of becoming addicted to Flexeril, or if a drug dependence has already formed, then contact an addiction rehab center today. Flexeril is the brand name for Cyclobenzaprine, a prescription muscle relaxer that is similar to a class of Antidepressant drugs called Tricyclic Antidepressants.

• As a central nervous system depressant, Flexeril can cause respiratory and cardiac arrest if taken in large quantities.
• It can be a problem for those who are older and or people with above-average body weight.
• The problem with combining Flexeril and alcohol comes from the fact that both of these drugs are actually central nervous system (CNS) depressants.
• Considering this and many other risk factors, drug addiction treatment centers like Lantana are now offering addiction treatment programs for Flexeril abuse.
• In contrast, if the half-life of Flexeril is 37 hours, therefore it would take about 8 ½ days to eliminate it completely.
• As the substance can result in drowsiness, it is recommended to avoid driving or using heavy machinery until you are familiar with the effects.

A few types of antidepressants can be used for nerve pain, including tricyclic antidepressants, which include Amitriptyline (Elavil), Doxepin (Sinequan), and Nortriptyline (Pamelor). RxList does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Take Xanax exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. Your healthcare provider will tell you how much Xanax to take and when to take it. If you take too much Xanax, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

One of the more common effects of the Flexeril high is drowsiness. The dangers of taking more than prescribed are much greater than the reward of abusing it. Cyclobenzaprine can increase the effects of CNS depressants, such as alcohol, opioids, allergy medications, and sleeping pills. This enables the provider to evaluate for any potential interactions and helps them keep the patient safe. Even if it feels like the effects of cyclobenzaprine have worn off, the drug may not be completely eliminated from the body yet and could cause serious interactions with other substances. Flexeril is prescribed to treat short-term pain and discomfort that stems from muscle injuries, including strains, sprains, and spasms.

Understanding Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine)

Although Flexeril is typically prescribed by a medical professional, there are still complications and side effects. It’s important to be wary of these when taking this substance. baclofen vs other muscle relaxants flexeril Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) gets to its highest levels in the blood seven to eight hours after ingestion. The duration of Flexeril in the blood will be based on its half-life.

Flexeril is a muscle relaxant, often used to help with pain, but is less addictive than other painkillers on the market. Cyclobenzaprine, the active compound in Flexeril, is found in different products in various formulations. The drug is addictive when used for chronic pain support because it does help to inhibit pain, but people will develop tolerance over time. Some people try Flexeril for the high they get and become addicted to that feeling. However a person becomes addictive, it is difficult to quit without the help of a treatment program that supports detox and eases withdrawal symptoms. Another potential side effect of Flexeril is overdose if an individual takes too much of the drug.

Missed Dose

A Flexeril high is really only possible when the medication is abused or when the patient first takes it. Some users, however, have If someone takes more than the prescription suggests, the Flexeril high can include an altered state of mind. It can lead to cardiac arrest, a dangerous drop in blood pressure, or seizures.

When used alone, alcohol can end up slowing respiration to deadly levels due to alcohol poisoning. Flexeril abuse can also end up leading to dangerously slow respiration. When Flexeril and alcohol are mixed, however, these qualities can actually end up overlapping, making the potentially fatal risk of low respiration even more likely to occur. The alcohol also increases the side effects of cyclobenzaprine.

Do not take this drug for more than 3 weeks without talking to your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary.