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

No matter what the reason is, understanding it is critical because then, the cause can be treated. The intrathecal administration of baclofen must be monitored closely by the medical team and patient to ensure the pump is working properly (2). Any issues with the delivery system can induce withdrawal from the drug in patients who have been using baclofen for more than two months (2). Baclofen withdrawal can be life-threatening with possible multi-organ failure and psychological symptoms (2, 12). Cyclobenzaprine functions as a depressant and sedative agent for the central nervous system, specifically acting on the spinal cord and reducing muscle hyperactivity (8). Muscles are innervated (stimulated to action) by nerves from the spinal cord, and cyclobenzaprine dulls the signals sent out by these nerves.

FLEXERIL(R) 5 mg for the Treatment of Muscle Spasm Reaches … – Pharmaceutical Online

FLEXERIL(R) 5 mg for the Treatment of Muscle Spasm Reaches ….

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Therefore, Flexeril should be used in pregnant women only if clearly needed. Skelaxin and Flexeril can potentiate the effects of alcohol, barbiturates, and other CNS depressants, such as benzodiazepines, opioids, antihistamines, and sedative-hypnotics. As drug information can and will change at any time, RxList.com makes every effort to update its drug information. Due to the time-sensitive nature of drug information, how often should i take flexeril RxList.com makes no guarantees that the information provided is the most current. Flexeril especially when used with alcohol or other CNS depressants, may impair mental and/or physical abilities required for performance of hazardous tasks, such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle. Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) that can progress to failure of several organs, including the kidney, and even death.

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Methocarbamol can be used for long or short-term treatment as advised by a doctor. On the other hand, cyclobenzaprine is generally not prescribed for longer than two or three weeks. Unfortunately, there are no available manufacturer’s coupons for Baclofen or Flexeril at this time.

The most common adverse effects included drowsiness, dry mouth, and dizziness. Although all skeletal muscle relaxants should be used with caution in older patients, diazepam especially should be avoided in older patients or in patients with significant cognitive or hepatic impairment. If you’re experienced severe musculoskeletal pain that hasn’t responded to physical therapy and over-the-counter medications, your doctor may consider prescribing stronger drugs. Muscle relaxants are one such class of second-line pain medications that are particularly useful for acute pain.

Skelaxin’s most common side effects are drowsiness, dizziness, headache, irritability, nausea, vomiting, and stomach upset. Although both medications are muscle relaxants, they are not exactly the same. Continue reading below to learn more about Skelaxin and Flexeril. 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. Flexeril (generic name cyclobenzaprine) was developed in the 1970s. Flexeril works on the central nervous system to reduce motor activity or muscle contractions, thus, relieving muscle spasms.

Does Skelaxin help with pain?

Physical therapists combine stretches and exercises to strengthen muscles and relieve pressure from joints. The primary adverse side effects of cyclobenzaprine are related to the central nervous system (CNS), and include drowsiness, dizziness, and nervousness (10). Some patients also report gastrointestinal issues (stomach problems) like nausea, vomiting, constipation, and loss of appetite, as well as dry mouth (11, 12). If you’re dealing with spasticity and chronic pain related to neurological disease or injury, such as multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury, then baclofen may be best for you. For most patients, the recommended dose of Flexeril is 5 mg three times a day.

• Flexeril depresses the central nervous system, an effect some find desirable, which can lead to misuse.
• So, please don’t discount the need for professional treatment if you’re addicted to Flexeril.
• You and your doctor will work out the proper cyclobenzaprine dosage for your particular situation.
• Some medicines can interact with cyclobenzaprine and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.
• Baclofen is a common antispastic prescribed to treat these conditions.

To our knowledge, no studies have been done to determine the optimum combination of treatment modalities. Since many of these treatments may be operating on different aspects of back pain, there may be an additive effect. On the other hand, overmedication is a common problem among patients, and more may not be better. Studies to look at back pain management with a combination of common therapies are needed. Some clinicians, well versed with the sedative effects of cyclobenzaprine, prescribe it for the short term as a nighttime medicine.

Generally, the brand-name drugs are more expensive than the generics. Between the generics, tizanidine may be slightly more expensive than cyclobenzaprine. Although not common, in some cases tizanidine and cyclobenzaprine have been misused or abused. Be sure to take either drug exactly as your doctor tells you to. Don’t drink alcohol while using either tizanidine or cyclobenzaprine. Drinking alcohol with either drug may cause severe drowsiness and make you much less alert.

Both baclofen and cyclobenzaprine carry significant adverse effects, and you should seek professional medical advice to determine which is best for you. Be aware of contraindications and drug interactions when taking these medications. The research regarding the efficacy of baclofen for the treatment of common musculoskeletal conditions, such as back pain, is limited (2, 4). One study found that patients with acute lower back pain treated with ibuprofen (NSAID) alone had similar pain and function levels to patients treated with baclofen and ibuprofen (7). Like any medication, Skelaxin has benefits as well as side effects and risks. Although Skelaxin and Flexeril are both in the same drug category (skeletal muscle relaxants), they do have some differences, such as side effects, dose, and pricing, as outlined above.

Cyclobenzaprine is the most heavily studied and has been shown to be effective for various musculoskeletal conditions. The sedative properties of tizanidine and cyclobenzaprine may benefit patients with insomnia caused by severe muscle spasms. Methocarbamol and metaxalone are less sedating, although effectiveness evidence is limited. Adverse effects, particularly dizziness and drowsiness, are consistently reported with all skeletal muscle relaxants. The potential adverse effects should be communicated clearly to the patient.