Dangers of Cyclobenzaprine Flexeril Overdose

An abnormal amount of this drug can thus interfere with brain stem transmission to the brain. As a result, irregular heartbeat, arrhythmia, bradycardia, or tachycardia can occur. A severe form of these irregularities can cause the death of the patient. Addiction is classified as a disease by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) that is related to changes in brain structure and chemical makeup as the result of substance abuse. The main indicator of drug addiction is a loss of control over drug use.

• Cyclobenzaprine comes in both short-acting tablets and long-acting capsules.
• Admitting your substance use has gotten out of control can save your life.
• Alcohol is commonly abused alongside muscle relaxers like Flexeril because the substances amplify each others’ effects, causing the individual to experience a more intense sedation or high.
• There were 25.2 million prescriptions wrote in 2011 that included cyclobenzaprine such as Flexeril.
• The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine.
• Cyclobenzaprine, the active compound in Flexeril, is found in different products in various formulations.

Flexeril works by decreasing the number of messages sent between the brain and the nerves, thereby relaxing tense muscles and reducing muscle pain without affecting other body functions. 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 orally up to 3 times daily with food or without, depending on how severe your condition is. Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxer used to treat acute muscle pain and prevent muscle spasms caused by an injury or accident. Cyclobenzaprine also has some sedative effects which may result in sleepiness and fatigue. Cyclobenzaprine is not a safe or practical long-term solution for insomnia and other sleep troubles.

Other uses for this medicine

Flexeril comes in tablet form in both immediate- and extended-release formations to be swallowed. Cyclobenzaprine is not approved or recommended for treating anxiety but it does cause some of the same side effects as other anti-anxiety medications including sleepiness and drowsiness. Some people believe Flexeril is a narcotic similar to other painkillers like Fentanyl or Vicodin.

Flexeril with a Fattie: How Does Cannabis Interact with Prescription … – Portland Mercury

Flexeril with a Fattie: How Does Cannabis Interact with Prescription ….

Posted: Wed, 14 Feb 2018 08:00:00 GMT [source]

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription. Adding plans allows you to compare formulary status to other drugs in the same class. Reach out to us today by filling out the contact form below with your name, contact information, and a brief message about your recovery journey.

Treatment for Cyclobenzaprine Abuse

Tricyclic antidepressants have been reported to produce arrhythmias, sinus tachycardia, prolongation of the conduction time leading to myocardial infarction and stroke. FLEXERIL may enhance the effects of alcohol, barbiturates, and other CNS depressants. Less frequent dosing should be considered for hepatically impaired or elderly patients (see PRECAUTIONS, Impaired Hepatic Function, and Use in the Elderly). Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Flexeril only for the indication prescribed.

Some people try Flexeril for the high they get and become addicted to that feeling. However a person becomes addictive, it is difficult to quit without the help of a treatment program that supports detox and eases withdrawal symptoms. Abuse of muscle relaxants alone is uncommon; often, it involves other substances. If cyclobenzaprine is being misused, however, the person may continue to take the medication for much longer and may increase their dose too high, which could lead to dangerous side effects and overdose. Concomitant use of monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors or within 14 days after their discontinuation. Hyperpyretic crisis seizures, and deaths have occurred in patients receiving cyclobenzaprine (or structurally similar tricyclic antidepressants) concomitantly with MAO inhibitor drugs.

FLEXERIL should be used with caution in subjects with mild hepatic impairment starting with a 5 mg dose and titrating slowly upward. Due to the lack of data in subjects with more severe hepatic insufficiency, the use of FLEXERIL in subjects with moderate to severe impairment is not recommended. Other drugs may interact with cyclobenzaprine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 3 Sep 2023), Cerner Multum™ (updated 28 Aug 2023), ASHP (updated 10 Aug 2023) and others. Your doctor will take into account the severity of your condition and any side effects you may experience when determining how long you should take flexeril maximum dose. Generally, they will look at how well the drug is working at treating your symptoms and prescribe an appropriate amount of time, based on this.

Flexeril addiction is the physical or psychological dependence on the drug. People who abuse Flexeril may experience withdrawal symptoms after stopping use, such as anxiety or insomnia. 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.

Patients can take cyclobenzaprine with or without food but should always follow the doctor’s instructions carefully. If you miss a dose, try to take it as soon as you remember unless it’s almost time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and follow your normal dosing schedule. It’s not recommended that you ever take a double dose of cyclobenzaprine unless directed by your doctor. It’s also not recommended that you take this muscle relaxer for more than 3 weeks.