Is Flexeril a Narcotic? Muscle Relaxants vs Opioids
In most cases, it is advised not to take an anti-inflammatory drug and a muscle relaxant simultaneously, as they might be contra-indicated. It is not controlled under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), either. However, since Flexeril has properties that suppress pain, people may overuse it to amplify those feelings. The activity of Flexeril that depresses the Central Nervous System (CNS) makes it potentially addictive and dangerous. In this RCT, patients were enrolled during an ED visit for LBP, dispensed a 10-day supply of medication, and contacted by telephone at 7-day and 3-month follow-up. The Albert Einstein College of Medicine institutional review board provided ethical oversight.
- Therapy in the elderly should be started with a 5 mg dose and titrated slowly upward.
- If the drug screen is testing for TCA’s, Flexeril may show up.
- Cyclobenzaprine belongs to a group of the central nervous system (CNS) depressants that decrease muscle activity, resulting in the desired muscle relaxant outcome.
- This includes prescription, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, herbals, vitamins and other dietary supplements.
Cyclobenzaprine, the active compound in Flexeril, is found in different products in various formulations. The drug is addictive when used for chronic pain support because it does help to inhibit pain, but people will develop tolerance over time. Some people try Flexeril for the high they get and become addicted to that feeling.
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It works by inhibiting serotonin transmission at the spinal cord (3). Serotonin is a neurotransmitter chemical that helps carry pain signals to the brain (4). By preventing serotonin transmission, cyclobenzaprine alleviates pain by reducing the number of pain signals that reach the central nervous system.
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Aftercare is perhaps one of the most important (and often forgotten) elements of treatment. Many people assume that addiction treatment is over when they complete their initial rehab program, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms caused by a cyclobenzaprine addiction can include severe headaches, fatigue, nausea, anxiety, fever, chills, and general discomfort. If you are trying to stop the consumption of cyclobenzaprine and are experiencing withdrawal, the severity of these withdrawal symptoms can be controlled. Tapering off the dosage of Flexeril is one of the most effective ways to do this.
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I was still in a daze, and I didn’t take any more of the drug. I did drink some alcohol when it was offered to me, and the strangest thing happened. I was sitting on the sofa in the living room, and after some time, I couldn’t move my legs. They didn’t hurt at all, but it was like the connection between my legs and my brain had been severed. I slept there until the morning, at which point, I was still groggy, but at least I could move my legs. You have never felt such a feeling of relaxation in your entire life.
As a central nervous system depressant, Flexeril can cause respiratory and cardiac arrest if taken in large quantities. Users have also experienced a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Users should also avoid operating any machinery as the drug is known to induce intense feelings of drowsiness. 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. Withdrawal symptoms make it more likely a person will go back to using the drug to keep from feeling so horrible but it may have lethal consequences if they overdose.
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It’s not considered a dangerous method of getting rid of specific muscular pain. It is given to patients who are more likely to abuse opiate pain killers and is considered less risky for abuse and addiction. This is not all the information you need to know about cyclobenzaprine for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s can flexeril help with acid reflux directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider. Cyclobenzaprine is most useful for cases of acute musculoskeletal pain and muscle spasms. It can be used on occasion for chronic pain, though it’s less suited for this kind of pain (5).
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse or NIDA, more than 50 million Americans aged 12 and over have reportedly misused a prescription drug at least once in their life. There were 25.2 million prescriptions wrote in 2011 that included cyclobenzaprine such as Flexeril. Flexeril is a pain reliever that is widely taken to relieve muscle spasms and improve motor abilities, sleep, and energy levels. As a result, the activity of Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), which depresses the Central Nervous System and causes these sensations, could be a reason for Flexeril misuse and addiction. Prescription drug abuse, such as cyclobenzaprine, is common to see in young adults as these substances are relatively easy to obtain. Some individuals may steal or be given them by friends or family members, while others may buy them illicitly on the internet.
Usually, this will require a medical detox and a rehabilitation program. Therapy and counseling offered through rehabilitation programs help the patient learn how to cope with stress without abusing substances and teaches ways to maintain sobriety. Group and family therapy programs can help to build social support to maintain sobriety and mend broken relationships that may have been harmed during the course of the patient’s addiction. When someone becomes addicted to Flexeril, they will display the usual signs of dependency and similar symptoms of benzodiazepine and opioid addictions.
Given the potential for abuse of this drug, it’s important to know the proper dosage for this particular muscle relaxer. You and your doctor will work out the proper cyclobenzaprine dosage for your particular situation. However, in general, physicians will prescribe Flexeril dosages according to the guidelines below as provided by the Mayo Clinic.