Flexeril

By Medicover Hospitals / 11 Mar 2021
Home | Medicine | Flexeril

What is Flexeril ?

Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is a sedative. It works by preventing nerve impulses (or pain sensations) from reaching your brain. Flexeril is used to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain, injury, or spasms in conjunction with rest and physical therapy.

1. Flexeril Uses
2. Flexeril Side effects
3. Precautions
4. Overdose
5. Storage
6. Flexeril vs Baclofen
7. Frequently Asked Questions
8. Citations

Flexeril Uses:

It is used in conjunction with rest, physical therapy, and other treatments to relax muscles and relieve pain and discomfort caused by strains, sprains, and other muscle injuries. It belongs to a class of drugs known as skeletal muscle relaxants. It works by relaxing the muscles by acting on the brain and nervous system.

How to use?

• Flexeril is typically taken once daily for two or three weeks. Read all medication guides or instruction sheets and follow all directions on your prescription label. Your dosages may be adjusted from time to time by your doctor.
• Take the medication at the same time.
• If your symptoms do not improve or get worse after three weeks, contact your doctor.
• Store away from moisture, heat, and light at room temperature.

Flexeril Side Effects:

More common side effects are

• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Lightheadedness
• Dryness of the mouth

Less common side effects are

• Bloating or gas
• Indigestion
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach cramps or pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Excitement or nervousness
• Frequent urination
• Headache
• Muscle twitching
• Numbness,tingling
• Pounding heartbeat
• Trembling
• Trouble sleeping

Precautions:

• If you are allergic to it, or any of the ingredients present in the tablet or capsule, tell your doctor and pharmacist.
• Tell your doctor if you are taking or have recently stopped taking any of the following medications - MAO inhibitors, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine. If you are taking any of these medications, your doctor will most likely advise you not to take cyclobenzaprine.
• Inform your doctor if you have recently had a heart attack or if you have an overactive thyroid gland. Heart failure, irregular heartbeat, heart block, or other problems with your heart's electrical impulses. Your doctor will most likely advise you not to take this medicine
• Inform your doctor if you have increased intraocular pressure or glaucoma, difficulty urinating, or liver disease.
• If you are 65 or older, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this. it should not be taken by older adults because it is not as safe or effective as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition.
• Call your doctor right away if you are pregnant while taking cyclobenzaprine. It is not known whether this passes into breast milk or not. Before breastfeeding consult a doctor

Interactions:

• Drug interactions can change the way your medications function or put you at risk for serious side effects. Tricyclic antidepressants are one example of a product that may interact with this medication (such as amitriptyline, imipramine).
• Using MAO inhibitors in conjunction with this medication may result in a serious drug interaction. During treatment with this medication, do not take MAO inhibitors. Most MAO inhibitors should also be avoided for two weeks before starting this medication. Consult your doctor about when to begin or stop taking this medication.

Overdose:

If someone has taken an overdose of this medicine and has serious symptoms such as trouble breathing, seek medical advice immediately. Never take more doses than what is prescribed to you by your doctor.

Missed Dose:

It is necessary to take each dose of this medication on time. If you forget a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible to arrange for a new dosing schedule. Do not double the dose.

Storage:

The medicine must not come in contact with heat, air, light and may damage it. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and far away from children’s reach.

Flexeril vs Baclofen:

Flexeril	Baclofen
It is a sedative. It is used in conjunction with rest, physical therapy, and other treatments to relax muscles and relieve pain and discomfort caused by strains.	Baclofen, also known as Lioresal. Baclofen is both a muscle relaxant and an antispasmodic.
It is used to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain, injury, or spasms in conjunction with rest and physical therapy.	Baclofen is a medication that is used to treat muscle pain, spasms, and stiffness in people who have multiple sclerosis or a spinal cord injury or disease.
It works by preventing nerve impulses (or pain sensations) from reaching your brain.	It may also be used to treat hiccups and muscle spasms in the final stages of life. It is administered orally or through the spinal canal.