Cyclobenzaprine Uses, Dosage & Side Effects

The dangers of taking more than prescribed are much greater than the reward of abusing it. You might not think of muscle relaxers as drugs of abuse, but they’re misused frequently. Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is amuscle relaxer prescribed for pain related to muscle spasms and muscle injuries. It’s also a prescription drug that can put you at risk for overdose as well as cardiac arrest, seizures, and other dangerous effects when abused. Signs of overdose include chest pain, hallucinations, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, slurred speech, difficulty breathing, and extreme drowsiness.

Many people believe that Flexeril is a narcotic similar to other painkillers like OxyContin, Fentanyl, or Vicodin based on how it makes you feel alone. However, the truth is cyclobenzaprine belongs to a separate class of chemicals known as a muscle relaxant. Rather than activating opioid receptors like other prescription painkillers, Flexeril instead blocks certain nerve impulses that are sent to the brain.

• The Flexeril dosage comes in Flexeril 5 mg and Flexeril 10 mg tablets.
• For instance, a person may be seen as using cocaine when they’re not.
• Our highly-committed and qualified team is here to support you through the early days of the treatment process and give you a foundation from which you can grow and develop.
• I thought I saw someone standing in my bedroom, and it looked like a child.

This is especially true if the substance is combined with other drugs such as alcohol. A Flexeril overdose can result in cardiac arrest, dangerously low blood pressure, central nervous system depression, or seizures. Flexeril overdose is a real and life-threatening possibility.

Early Challenges in Recovery

It’s important that someone on Flexeril let the test administrator know they’re taking Flexeril. This is because it can give false positives on other narcotic substances. For instance, a person may be seen as using cocaine when they’re not. If you or a loved one is struggling with cyclobenzaprine addiction or other substance abuse issues, Footprints to Recovery can help. Our approaches to drug and alcohol addiction treatment are evidence-based and engaging so you get the best care while staying motivated in recovery. With a wide selection of traditional and holistic therapies as well as inpatient and outpatient programs, we can tailor a treatment plan to your individual needs and life situation.

He was discharged on day 6 and on follow up in the clinic a week thereafter was doing well with no active issues. It can be dangerous, and it should be treated quickly by a medical professional. The onset of serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening event. An overdose is when levels of the drug become toxic in the bloodstream.

Causes of Muscle Relaxant Overdose

Due to the nature of Flexeril, there are some important instructions on how to use it safely. As the substance can result in drowsiness, it is recommended to avoid driving or using heavy machinery until you are familiar with the effects. It is also possible to become dehydrated when using Flexeril, and for this reason, it is recommended to use it with caution in hot weather and to ensure adequate hydration. It is also strongly recommended to avoid using any other form of prescription medication with it unless a doctor has approved it. Here we look at the factors contributing to the addictive nature of cyclobenzaprine, common withdrawal symptoms, and how to access addiction treatment.

Fentanyl Overdose Kills Three New Yorkers – Addiction Center

Fentanyl Overdose Kills Three New Yorkers.

Posted: Fri, 28 Oct 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Find Addiction Rehabs is not a medical provider or treatment facility and does not provide medical advice. Find Addiction Rehabs does not endorse any treatment facility or guarantee the quality of care provided, or the results to be achieved, by any treatment facility. The information provided by Find Addiction Rehabs is not a substitute for professional treatment advice. Joined Find Addiction Rehabs with extensive experience in the field of addiction treatment. As a former Nurse Practitioner in Miami, she found her passion for addiction treatment when a family member was lost to his disease.

Flexeril is available in most pharmacies through a prescription from your doctor. This drug comes in an immediate-release tablet or extended-release form that can be taken when flexeril doesn’t work orally up to 3 times daily with food or without, depending on how severe your condition is. These treatments should be administered by a licensed physician only.

Long-term use of Flexeril can lead to chemical dependency and even overdose, so its removal from the body can pose a risk to users. Most physicians prescribe Flexeril for muscle spasms due to acute musculoskeletal conditions. This is their only proven use, and any other purpose is yet unconfirmed and thus risky. The side effect profile of this drug includes headache, dizziness, drowsiness, dysphagia, nausea, constipation, dry mouth, and a few others.

This can help prevent levels of this drug from building up too much in your body. If you suffer from even moderate liver problems, you should not use this drug. It is very possible that Cyclobenzaprine can interact with other medications, vitamins, or even herbs that you may be taking. Drug interactions occur when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. Lastly, aftercare support is essential for those recovering from Flexeril addiction.