Baclofen vs Flexeril Muscle Relaxer, Pain, Side Effects & Comparison

Robaxin (methocarbamol) is a muscle relaxant used together with rest and physical therapy to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain or injury. The other dosage form of this medicine is an injection solution into a muscle or into a vein. Robaxin needs to be taken three to four times a day to provide relief from muscle pain and muscle spasms. The efficacy of the Flexeril 5 mg tablet, which is the standard dose given three times per day, is found to be connected to the sedative effect of the medication. All short-term muscle spasms and other related conditions can be treated with Flexeril. Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine) is indicated for treating pain and muscle spasms related to short-term skeletal problems and muscle pain.

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The daily dose ranged from 10 to 60 mg, titrated based on the adverse effects, with a median dose of 30 mg/d. One study21 used a twice-daily dose of cyclobenzaprine, and the remainder of the studies18,22,24,25,30-37 used 3 times daily doses. The study duration averaged 12.3 days, ranging from 7 to 18 days (median, 14 days). Skeletal muscle relaxants are prescription medications commonly used to treat muscle pain and muscle spasms. If you have back pain or have suffered a strain or sprain, your healthcare provider may offer you a skeletal muscle relaxant such as methocarbamol (Robaxin) or cyclobenzaprine (Fexmid, Amrix). Conservative treatment, such as physical therapy, exercise, and NSAIDs, should always be the first choice for remedying muscle spasms and related pain.

The drug information provided is intended for reference only and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice. The combination of Flexeril and a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) can cause a life-threatening drug interaction. This drug interaction can lead to serotonin syndrome, which can include symptoms like abnormally high fever, tremors, increased sweating, nausea, and vomiting. It’s important to thoroughly inform your doctor about all of your medical conditions because muscle relaxants might not be suitable for certain diseases and conditions. An option that is easy on the pocket and comparatively less sedating too is Methocarbamol. Methocarbamol has been studied for back pain, and results show it can result in complete pain relief.

Flexeril Alternatives Compared

It’s important to note that while these brand names may vary, they all contain the active ingredient cyclobenzaprine and are used for similar purposes, such as treating muscle pain and stiffness. Also, cyclobenzaprine is chemically similar to the tricyclic class of antidepressants, according to MedicineNet. This means it shouldn’t be taken with or within two weeks of any monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), a medication that treats depression.

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It is highly recommended not to practice self-medication and always get correct medical supervision. Both medications can be dangerous when used in combination with other drugs or substances such as narcotics. As people suffering from Cyclobenzaprine addiction build up a tolerance to the medication, they tend to increase the amount they take. Doing so increases their risk of developing anticholinergic toxidrome and overdosing on the drug. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What are the possible drug interactions of cyclobenzaprine or methocarbamol?

The most common adverse effects included drowsiness, dry mouth, and dizziness. 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. In preclinical research, cyclobenzaprine reduced skeletal muscle hyperactivity. Research indicates that it primarily acts within the central nervous system in the brain stem. Selection of a skeletal muscle relaxant should be individualized to the patient.

The potential adverse effects should be communicated clearly to the patient. Because of limited comparable effectiveness data, choice of agent should be based on side-effect profile, patient preference, abuse potential, and possible drug interactions. A final limitation is that, in the real world, clinicians are not limited to just 1 treatment option. National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data suggest that patients presenting with low back pain are commonly given more than 1 treatment.12 Often, acetaminophen is combined with an NSAID or a muscle relaxant.

  • Still, Gablofen acts primarily on the spinal cord, and Flexeril acts centrally, causing muscle relaxation.
  • The medication also works on the central nervous system and blocks nerve signals to the brain, which helps to relax muscles and prevent spasms.
  • Fifty-three percent of the patients receiving cyclobenzaprine experienced at least one adverse effect, compared with 28% receiving placebo.
  • Some people prefer Fexmid and Amrix over Robaxin because it is dosed once a day rather than 3 to 4 times a day.

Drug comparisons between cyclobenzaprine and methocarbamol in terms of side effects do not reveal many differences. Both medications can cause adverse effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, headache, nausea, and fatigue. Also, cyclobenzaprine can cause dry mouth because it has anticholinergic effects. Addiction Resource is an educational platform for sharing and disseminating information about addiction and substance abuse recovery centers. Addiction Resource is not a healthcare provider, nor does it claim to offer sound medical advice to anyone.

Please continue reading to learn about the similarities and differences between methocarbamol and cyclobenzaprine, including how they work, their side effects, drug interactions, cost, and more. Flexeril should not be taken with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors or even within two weeks of taking an MAOI. The adverse effects caused by the combination include convulsions, high fever, and even death. Flexeril interaction with alcohol, narcotics, benzodiazepines such as diazepam and lorazepam, and barbiturates can slow down the brain’s functions. Overdose on Gablofen occurs when the daily dose exceeds 200 mg and triggers neurological effects, delirium, seizures, and coma.

Cyclobenzaprine vs Tizanidine: Which is the Better Muscle Relaxer?

Studies to determine the optimum combination and duration of treatment in the management of acute back pain are needed. Outcomes included global improvement and 5 specific domains of back pain (local pain, muscle spasm, range of motion, tenderness to palpation, and activities can u take gabapentin and flexeril together of daily living). Lioresal is a popular and first-choice treatment for muscle spasticity caused by spinal cord injuries or multiple sclerosis. Apart from the specific muscle spasms caused by brain injury or multiple sclerosis, Lioresal is not the best medicine to take.