Back pain sufferers frequently use it as a muscle relaxant. Compared to other painkillers, flexeril is thought to be much less addictive. The active ingredient in Flexeril, known by its chemical name of cyclobenzaprine, is present in a wide range of goods. The Flexeril dosage is available in tablets of 5 mg and 10 mg.
The typical patient’s dose of FLEXERIL is 5 mg three times per day. The dosage may be increased to 10 mg three times a day depending on how each patient responds. It is not advised to use FLEXERIL for periods longer than two or three weeks.
Continue reading for more details on Flexeril, including dosage, abuse, and side effects.
Flexeril Overview
To treat muscle pain and spasms, doctors prescribe the drug flexeril. Cyclobenzaprine is this medication’s generic name. Short-term prescriptions of Flexeril are frequently combined with rest and physical therapy.
Flexeril is used to treat pain brought on by various muscle injuries, including sprains and strains. For the treatment of fibromyalgia, flexeril is also used off-label. In most situations, flexeril shouldn’t be taken for longer than ten days because after that point, its effectiveness wanes. Inhibiting the transmission of pain nerve impulses to the brain, flexeril has an impact on the central nervous system.
FDA approval for Flexeril came in 1977, and the majority of users report only minor side effects. Drowsiness, wooziness, and dry mouth are some common Flexeril side effects. Older patients shouldn’t be given Flexeril because sedation and more severe side effects may occur.
Flexeril Abuse
Tricyclic antidepressants and flexeril are comparable in many ways. There is a chance that Flexeril will be abused. Although the risk is relatively low, there have been reports of people abusing Flexeril by taking very high doses to achieve a high resembling that of narcotics.
This is due to the fact that Flexeril is a depressant, and some individuals may find the relaxation and drowsiness appealing. Flexeril has been demonstrated to cause physical and mental impairment at high doses.
Abuse of Flexeril is not very common by itself. In order to intensify the effects and feel more intoxicated, it is much more frequent to combine Flexeril with other drugs.
For instance, individuals may combine Flexeril with alcohol, narcotic painkillers, or benzodiazepines. This would intensify the feeling of intoxication while also increasing the possibility of negative side effects. Along with the risks associated with combining Flexeril with other CNS depressants, using it with some antidepressants can also be dangerous.
Serotonin syndrome may be the outcome of this. Headache, dilated pupils, agitation, and confusion are all signs of serotonin syndrome. Loss of control over the muscles, nausea, vomiting, variations in body temperature, and variations in blood pressure are some additional symptoms that may be present.
Overdose
The typical starting dose of Flexeril is 5 mg, taken three times per day. Long-term use of the medication is not advised. It may be recommended that older patients and those with liver impairment take Flexeril at lower doses or not at all.
The chance of a Flexeril overdose is almost nonexistent if the medication is taken exactly as directed. That is not the case if a person abuses it by taking excessive amounts of it or if they combine it with alcohol, other prescription medications, or illegal drugs.
A cyclobenzaprine overdose is typically not fatal, according to Academic Life in Emergency Medicine (ALiEM), but the incidence of toxicity and dosages are not completely known.
Over 12,000 visits involving cyclobenzaprine were reported to emergency departments (EDs) in 2010 by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
As a medical emergency, a Flexeril overdose needs to be handled immediately.
Proper Flexeril Dosage: How Much is Safe?
Knowing the right dosage for this specific muscle relaxer is crucial given the risk of drug abuse. The interaction between cyclobenzaprine and alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, or any other central nervous system (CNS) depressants should be avoided at all costs because the side effects could be fatal. The ideal cyclobenzaprine dosage will be determined by you and your doctor based on your individual circumstances. The Mayo Clinic’s recommendations below are generally followed by doctors when prescribing Flexeril dosages.
- Adults and children aged 15 years and older: three 10mg doses of Flexeril per day. Six Flexeril 10mg doses in a single day should be the maximum allowed amount.
- In order to gauge your body’s response to the medication, you may also begin with Flexeril 5mg doses three times per day.
- Patients with specific medical conditions (e.g., diabetes) that may result in complications should have specific dosages determined by their doctor. taking MAO inhibitors, having issues with their liver, using other CNS depressants like Valium, etc.).
When using this medication, you should always adhere to your doctor’s exact instructions, whether you’re taking Flexeril 5mg doses or cyclobenzaprine 10mg pills.
Flexeril Side-Effects
Both severe mental and nervous system issues could be brought on by flexeril. This includes a loss of muscle tone, confusion, anxiety, and even psychosis. Drowsiness is a typical side effect of Flexeril.
Because of the brain’s dependence on cyclobenzaprine for proper function, it will become accustomed to its constant presence. Dependence on cyclobenzaprine may result as a result. The chance of becoming dependent on and addicted to Flexeril can also rise with recreational cyclobenzaprine use. If a person abuses flexeril, it has been discovered that liver damage results. The liver may swell and become inflamed. Jaundice or bile obstruction from the liver into the intestines are both possible outcomes. Therefore, abuse of Flexeril can result in permanent and possibly fatal damage to the liver and other important internal organs, much like severe alcohol abuse. Brain neurotransmitters may malfunction as a result of flexeril abuse. This can cause:
- Confusion.
- Hallucinations.
- improper vision.
- incapacity to think clearly.
- strange fears and thoughts.
Other symptoms include:
- Difficulty breathing.
- Lips, tongues, and throat swelling.
Flexeril Addiction Treatment
This drug is not typically thought of as one of the more typical drugs people need to recover from. However, overcoming any addiction can be an incredibly trying process.
Don’t undervalue the value of receiving professional treatment if you are addicted to Flexeril, please. You run the risk of overdosing if you make an independent attempt to stop using it. There could be fatal repercussions from this.
Summary
Make sure that every doctor who treats you is aware that you are taking Flexeril if it has been prescribed for muscle spasms. This includes the offices of your physicians, pharmacists, and even dentists.
