Can You Overdose on Flexeril? Side Effects & Symptoms

An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet may cause drowsiness and dizziness.

There is also a slight risk that abuse of Cyclobenzaprine or Flexeril can lead to serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome occurs when you take medications that cause an excess of serotonin in your system. Flexeril is prescribed to treat short-term pain and discomfort that stems from muscle injuries, including strains, sprains, and spasms. The medication helps control the muscle spasms that result in pain.

Drowsiness is the most commonly reported side effect in studies, occurring in up to 38% (38 out of 100) of people. Avoid or limit the use of alcohol or other sedating medicines while being treated with cyclobenzaprine. Also avoid driving, operating machinery, or other hazardous activities until you know how cyclobenzaprine affects you. Cyclobenzaprine is a skeletal muscle relaxant that works on the brainstem to treat muscle spasms of local origin. Patients can take cyclobenzaprine with or without food but should always follow the doctor’s instructions carefully.

• Continuing dryness of the mouth may increase the chance of dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease, and fungus infections.
• Other potential effects of overdosage include any of the symptoms listed under ADVERSE REACTIONS.
• Once the drug enters your body, it triggers your brain and nervous system to relax different muscles in the body, simultaneously relieving the pain and discomfort you feel.
• In three of these studies there was a significantly greater improvement with FLEXERIL than with diazepam, while in the other studies the improvement following both treatments was comparable.
• Cyclobenzaprine is best used in short-term treatment but may be used intermittently or long-term for chronic pain.

It works by relaxing the muscles by acting on the brain and nervous system. Flexeril is a strong muscle relaxant used with rest and physical therapy to treat muscle spasms. However, it is only for short-term relief from acute muscle pain and other skeletal conditions. It works by directly reducing muscle hyperactivity and decreasing the transmission of pain. Cyclobenzaprine is used with rest, physical therapy, and other measures to relax muscles and relieve pain and discomfort caused by strains, sprains, and other muscle injuries. Cyclobenzaprine is in a class of medications called skeletal muscle relaxants.

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants

Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) is structurally similar to TCAs and, as such, demonstrates significant anticholinergic side effects. It differs from the TCA amitriptyline by only one double bond. It is generally used for musculoskeletal conditions, including fibromyalgia and low back pain. Cyclobenzaprine is best used in short-term treatment but may be used intermittently or long-term for chronic pain. Although rare, deaths may occur from overdosage with FLEXERIL. Multiple drug ingestion (including alcohol) is common in deliberate cyclobenzaprine overdose.

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The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time. Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

More about cyclobenzaprine

If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Using Flexeril with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. The hope for someone with an addiction to Flexeril comes from letting go of denial and seeking help. Using the drug and trying to quit alone is difficult, yet many will attempt to quit cold turkey.

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Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body. Sometimes, muscle relaxants like cyclobenzaprine are used “off-label” to treat conditions they’re not approved for, such as fibromyalgia. The incidence of drowsiness, flexeril what does it look like the most frequent adverse reaction, was similar with both drugs. Eight double-blind controlled clinical studies were performed in 642 patients comparing FLEXERIL 10 mg, diazepam, and placebo. Muscle spasm, local pain and tenderness, limitation of motion, and restriction in activities of daily living were evaluated.

In three of these studies there was a significantly greater improvement with FLEXERIL than with diazepam, while in the other studies the improvement following both treatments was comparable. Cyclobenzaprine reduced or abolished skeletal muscle hyperactivity in several animal models. Animal studies indicate that cyclobenzaprine does not act at the neuromuscular junction or directly on skeletal muscle.

This is especially true if someone has been engaging in polydrug use with cyclobenzaprine and other substances. Using drinks containing alcohol can increase your risk of dizziness, drowsiness, and decreased alertness from cyclobenzaprine. It isn’t known exactly how this drug works to relax your muscles. It may decrease the signals from your brain that tell your muscles to spasm. Cyclobenzaprine reaches peak plasma concentration, or the highest concentration of the drug possible in the bloodstream, within three to eight hours. Effects of the medication are typically experienced within this window for roughly four-to-six hours.

John Smith

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