Can You Overdose on Flexeril? Side Effects & Symptoms

People that combine Flexeril and alcohol also may not think properly and are more susceptible to making bad choices. Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, walking through a bad part of town, and other risks to physical harm may end up being more likely when abusing Flexeril and alcohol. There have been a number of fatalities reported as a result of the Flexeril and alcohol combination that occurred from physical harm caused by over-intoxication. 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.

• 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.
• Flexeril actually blocks certain nerve impulses sent to the brain but can be just as addictive as other opioids on the market used for similar reasons.
• Do not take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it.
• I was already feeling very calm and it seemed like every muscle in my body was relaxed.
• If you forget a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible to arrange for a new dosing schedule.
• Flexeril abuse can also end up leading to dangerously slow respiration.

In patients with CNS depression, early intubation is advised because of the potential for abrupt deterioration. 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. 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. For most patients, the recommended dose of FLEXERIL is 5 mg three times a day.

While all medications have potential risks and side effects, you need to determine if the pros outweigh the cons. However, the DEA has still not listed Flexeril as a controlled substance, meaning there is little risk to using this drug. The truth is that this drug isn’t especially harmful when used by itself, but when combined with another CNS depressant the danger becomes magnified. Combing Flexeril with another type of substance can cause an overdose, the effects of which could be fatal. Flexeril abuse could also lead to the development of a physical dependency marked by the need to use Flexeril on a daily basis. When a person has arrived at this stage of dependency, their addiction has gotten out of hand.

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If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended.

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Using drinks containing alcohol can increase your risk of dizziness, drowsiness, and decreased alertness from cyclobenzaprine. To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks.

Flexeril: 7 things you should know

However, in general, physicians will prescribe Flexeril dosages according to the guidelines below as provided by the Mayo Clinic. Robaxin and Flexeril are both effective medications for musculoskeletal pain and muscle spasms. 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. Cyclobenzaprine usually begins working about one hour after it is ingested, relaxing muscles and relieving muscle spasms. Formulations include immediate-release and extended-release.

If you are prescribed cyclobenzaprine, follow your healthcare provider’s directions for how to take it. In case of acute cyclobenzaprine overdose, emergency medicine physicians and triage nurses should stabilize the patient. If EKG demonstrates QRS prolongation, the clinician should initiate sodium bicarbonate therapy. In severe overdose, ventricular arrhythmias and seizures may require MICU-level of care under the supervision of a critical care physician.

Each endpoint consisted of a score on a 5-point rating scale (from 0 or worst outcome to 4 or best outcome). Acute recovery phase of myocardial infarction, and patients with arrhythmias, heart block or conduction disturbances, or congestive heart failure. In order to protect against the rare but potentially critical manifestations described above, obtain an ECG and immediately initiate cardiac what is flexeril? monitoring. Protect the patient’s airway, establish an intravenous line and initiate gastric decontamination. Observation with cardiac monitoring and observation for signs of CNS or respiratory depression, hypotension, cardiac dysrhythmias and/or conduction blocks, and seizures is necessary. If signs of toxicity occur at any time during this period, extended monitoring is required.

Typically, a doctor will prescribe Flexeril as part of a treatment plan that also includes rest and physical therapy. In some cases, Flexeril can be used in order to treat pain from certain musculoskeletal disorders like fibromyalgia. Flexeril works by acting on the central nervous system, blocking pain sensations that would otherwise travel from sore and spasming muscles to the brain. This pain-blocking mechanism can contribute to abuse of the medication and may result in Flexeril addiction.

However, the dosage strength differs for humans and dogs, and dogs are at risk for addiction. This is used to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain, injury, or spasms in conjunction with rest and physical therapy. Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and it is a muscle relaxant (NSAID). Headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, constipation, and abdominal pain or discomfort are all common side effects of cyclobenzaprine and naproxen. Cyclobenzaprine is a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant structurally related to tricyclic antidepr[7]essants. Cyclobenzaprine relieves skeletal muscle spasms of local origin without interfering with muscle function.