Precautions
· You should not use Flexeril if you are allergic to cyclobenzaprine, or if you have: a thyroid disorder; heart block, heart rhythm disorder, congestive heart failure; or. if you have recently had a heart attack. Flexeril is not approved for use by anyone younger than 15 years old. Do not use Flexeril if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days.
What should I avoid while taking Flexeril?
threatening side effects can occur if you take Flexeril before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body. You should not take Flexeril if you have recently had a heart attack, or if you have a heart rhythm disorder, congestive heart failure, heart block, or an overactive thyroid. Flexeril can cause side effects that may impair your thinking
Is Flexeril safe for me?
You should not take the muscle relaxant Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) if: you are allergic to any of its ingredients -- you take antidepressant drugs known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as phenelzine or tranylcypromine, or if you have taken an MAOI within the past 14 days
When should I stop taking Flexeril?
overactive thyroid gland. wide-angle glaucoma. glaucoma, an increased pressure in the eye. heart attack within the last 30 days. a type of slowed heart rhythm disorder called heart block. sinus ...
Does Flexeril interact with other medications?
· Flexeril may also not be suitable for people with glaucoma or increased intraocular pressure, a history of urinary retention, or taking other drugs that also have anticholinergic side effects (anticholinergic side effects include constipation, blurred vision, and …
What medications should not be taken with Flexeril?
Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, metaxalone, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with this medication.
Who should not take muscle relaxers?
Serious side effects associated with their use include dizziness, falls, fractures, car accidents, dependence and overdose. Muscle relaxants pose a significant risk to people over 65, and the American Geriatrics Society advises against their use in this age group.
What are the dangers of Flexeril?
Flexeril may cause serious side effects including:fast or irregular heartbeat,chest pain or pressure,pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder,sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body),slurred speech, and.balance problems.
Does Flexeril lower blood pressure?
metoprolol cyclobenzaprine Metoprolol and cyclobenzaprine may have additive effects in lowering your blood pressure. You may experience headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, and/or changes in pulse or heart rate.
Do muscle relaxers effect your heart?
Effects on the heart warning: This drug may cause heart arrhythmias (heart rate or rhythm problems). Your risk may be higher if you take a drug to treat depression or if you already have heart problems.
What is the safest muscle relaxer?
Taken as 800 mg tablets 3 to 4 times a day, metaxalone (Skelaxin) has the fewest reported side effects and lowest sedation potential of the muscle relaxants based on clinical studies. Simply put, it is the best-tolerated of the muscle relaxants.
Why was Flexeril taken off the market?
Tricyclic antidepressants havebeen reported to produce arrhythmias,sinus tachycardia, prolongation of theconduction time leading to myocardialinfarction and stroke." Because of the pharmacist's astuteness,the Flexeril was discontinued, andbaclofen was ordered instead.
Can Flexeril help with anxiety?
Can cyclobenzaprine help with anxiety? Cyclobenzaprine should not be used for anxiety. It can cause some of the same side effects that many anti-anxiety medications do, such as drowsiness and sleepiness. But, it is not meant to be used for this purpose.
Is Flexeril a pain killer or muscle relaxer?
Flexeril is a muscle relaxant. It works by blocking nerve impulses (or pain sensations) that are sent to your brain. Flexeril is used together with rest and physical therapy to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain, injury, or spasms. Flexeril may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Can Flexeril cause blood clots?
Research published in American Family Physician suggests that serious Flexeril side effects include: Arrhythmias. Your heart beats in a fast, irregular manner. Muscle fibers can be damaged, and blood clots can form.
Does Flexeril help inflammation?
Flexeril is a muscle relaxant and works by blocking the pathways of the neurotransmitters that signal pain. It is not an anti-inflammatory drug and does not reduce any inflammation to provide muscle relief. Both of them are used for pain relief but have different mechanisms.
What drugs interact with cyclobenzaprine?
Taking MAO inhibitors with this medication may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, metaxalone, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication.
Before Taking This Medicine
Do not take Flexeril if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegili...
How Should I Take Flexeril?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take Flexeril in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your d...
What Happens If I Miss A Dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regul...
What Happens If I Overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of Flexeril can be fatal.Overdose symptoms may i...
What Other Drugs Will Affect Flexeril?
Many drugs can interact with Flexeril. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using: 1. atropine (Donnatal, and others), benztro...
Can Flexeril be taken with heart failure?
May not be suitable for people with arrhythmias, heart block or conduction disturbances, heart failure, hyperthyroidism, or immediately following a heart attack. The dosage of Flexeril should be reduced in people with mild liver disease. It should not be taken by people with moderate-to-severe liver disease.
Does Flexeril cause nausea?
Flexeril's effects are long-lasting. Flexeril has not been associated with addiction; however, abrupt discontinuation may produce symptoms such as nausea, a headache, and a general feeling of discomfort. The dosage of Flexeril is best tapered off slowly on discontinuation.
How does Flexeril work?
Cyclobenzaprine relaxes muscles by reducing muscle hyperactivity through an action on both gamma and alpha motor systems (these are nerve fibers that directly connect with skeletal muscle and are responsible for muscle contraction).
What is Flexeril used for?
Cyclobenzaprine relaxes muscles by reducing muscle hyperactivity through an action on both gamma and alpha motor systems (these are nerve fibers that directly connect with skeletal muscle and are responsible for muscle contraction). Cyclobenzaprine acts primarily through the brain stem rather than the spinal cord and does not act directly on skeletal muscle.
Does Flexeril work on skeletal muscle?
Cyclobenzaprine acts primarily through the brain stem rather than the spinal cord and does not act directly on skeletal muscle. Flexeril will not reduce muscle spasm due to central nervous system (CNS) disease, such as cerebral palsy. Flexeril belongs to a class of drugs known as muscle relaxants. 2.
Does Flexeril help with muscle spasms?
Flexeril will not reduce muscle spasm due to central nervous system (CNS) disease, such as cerebral palsy. Flexeril belongs to a class of drugs known as muscle relaxants. 2. Upsides. May be used for the short-term relief of muscle spasm associated with acute, painful, musculoskeletal conditions.
Does Flexeril help with insomnia?
The sedative effects of Flexeril may help people sleep who are experiencing insomnia as a result of muscle spasm. Flexeril's effects are long-lasting. Flexeril has not been associated with addiction; however, abrupt discontinuation may produce symptoms such as nausea, a headache, and a general feeling of discomfort.
Can you take Flexeril with physical therapy?
Remember that Flexeril alone will not help in treating your condition. This medication should be combined with plenty of rest, physical therapy, or some other measure for pain relief. Flexeril should be stored at room temperature and away from light, heat, and moisture.
Can you take Flexeril with alcohol?
Flexeril should not be taken with alcohol. Mixing alcohol with Flexeril may cause drowsiness or other side effects. Individuals who are above the age of 65 years should avoid taking this drug. Flexeril has a higher risk of causing extreme side effects in elderly patients.
What are the side effects of Flexeril?
Trouble breathing or slow breathing. Unable to coordinate body movements. Yellowing of the skin or eyes. Abnormally low blood pressure. Serotonin syndrome. Unable to empty the bladder even after repeated attempts. Rare side effects of Flexeril that are less severe include: Acne.
What is Flexeril used for?
Flexeril can be used as a short-term treatment for healing muscle spasms. Patients suffering from fibromyalgia have reported a reduction in muscle spasms and pain after taking Flexeril.
Does Flexeril help with fibromyalgia?
Patients suffering from fibromyalgia have reported a reduction in muscle spasms and pain after taking Flexeril. Flexeril, mostly taken at night, is known to reduce pain and other symptoms. Patients have reported improvements in pain, tenderness, fatigue, mood, and sleep while taking this medication.
Does Flexeril help with pain?
Flexeril, mostly taken at night, is known to reduce pain and other symptoms. Patients have reported improvements in pain, tenderness, fatigue, mood, and sleep while taking this medication. However, most studies only used low doses of Flexeril which ranged from 1mg to 4mg doses.
How long after discontinuing Flexeril can you take it?
For individuals who have been taking a MAO inhibitor, it is advisable to use Flexeril 14 days after discontinuing the drug. Some of these MAO inhibitors include tranylcypromine, selegiline, isocarboxazid, and phenelzine. Taking both Flexeril and a MAO inhibitor together can cause life-threatening side effects.
Is Flexeril still available?
*The brand name Flexeril is discontinued. Generic versions are still available.
Is Flexeril safe for withdrawal?
1. People who stop using Flexeril after a significant period of time may experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are not dangerous, but they can be very uncomfortable. Treatment usually consists of tapering ...
What happens when you are dependent on a drug?
This is known as dependence, and people who are dependent can experience withdrawal symptoms when the drug is removed from their system or the dose is reduced.
Can you mix Flexeril with alcohol?
Whether the person took Flexeril with other medications or drugs (people may mix Flexeril with alcohol, barbiturates, and other central nervous system depressants to enhance the effects of these drugs). 6. People who take larger-than-recommended doses or mix Flexeril with alcohol and other drugs are more likely to experience more severe symptoms.
How long does Flexeril last?
Quitting Flexeril abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms within a few days after the last dose. These symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Anyone using Flexeril should stop under the direct supervision of a physician.
How long does Flexeril take to withdraw?
Your physician can outline a Flexeril withdrawal treatment program that includes a tapering process, which involves taking progressively smaller doses over the course of several weeks. If you are still in pain, your doctor can offer alternative pain management options.
Can dependents experience withdrawal symptoms?
People who are dependent can experience withdrawal symptoms. When a person uses a drug for a long period of time, their body becomes accustomed to its presence . Various physiologic processes adjust and, over time, the person’s system comes to rely on the drug — functioning normally only when the drug is present.
Severe Interactions
These medications are not usually taken together. Consult your healthcare professional (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) for more in formation.
Serious Interactions
These medications may interact and cause very harmful effects. Consult your healthcare professional (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) for more in formation.
Moderate Interactions
These medications may cause some risk when taken together. Consult your healthcare professional (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) for more in formation.