Flexeril: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

The drug Cyclobenzaprine, sold under the brand Flexeril, is structurally very similar to a class of Antidepressants called Tricyclic Antidepressants. Flexeril is commonly prescribed to induce pain relief from muscle spasms and improve motor skills, sleep, and energy levels by generating pain relief. These feelings may potentially be a cause for misuse of Flexeril and lead to addictive effects.

Flexeril is not a narcotic drug or an opioid. 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.

Flexeril and Diazepam are both used to treat muscle spasms. They belong to two different drug classes - muscle relaxant and benzodiazepine, respectively. Both are advised for short-term use only. The only salient difference is that Valium has a higher potential to cause drug dependency than Flexeril. However, your physician can better decide which drug is better for your back pain.

Flexeril usually takes between 45 minutes to an hour to work after being ingested to show relaxation activity. It peaks at around 3 to 4 hours, and then the effects begin to wear off. This timeline is appropriate for an immediate-release formulation. In the case of an extended-release formulation, the effects last for up to 24 hours.

Since Flexeril is a muscle relaxant that shows the depressive activity of the CNS, it is not recommended to drive or do any dangerous activity under the influence of Flexeril. Combining this drug with alcohol may worsen the side effects you may observe. Modifying the drug dose without consulting a physician to amplify its impact is also not recommended.

Flexeril is a muscle relaxant and works by blocking the pathways of the neurotransmitters that signal pain. It is not an anti-inflammatory drug and does not reduce any inflammation to provide muscle relief. Both of them are used for pain relief but have different mechanisms. In most cases, it is advised not to take an anti-inflammatory drug and a muscle relaxant simultaneously, as they might be contra-indicated.

Dogs can take muscle relaxers such as Flexeril for pain relief. Veterinarians suggest short-term treatments with Flexeril for dogs and cats with acute muscle spasms. However, the dosage strength differs for humans and dogs, and dogs are at risk for addiction. Please consult a veterinarian for more information.

Diarrhea or an upset stomach is one of the more common side effects of taking Flexeril. This is because Flexeril is a muscle relaxant that may sometimes depress the Central Nervous System and the areas that control the reflexes associated with bowel movements. However, it has been reported only in about 1% to 3% of patients.

Flexeril is a muscle relaxant, not a pain killer. It blocks the pathways of neurotransmitters that signal pain and diminishes the sensations of pain. It is also much more addictive than conventional painkillers or Over-the-counter (OTC) Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) available in the market that are pain relievers in action.

Flexeril is a strong muscle relaxant used with rest and physical therapy to treat muscle spasms. However, it is only for short-term relief from acute muscle pain and other skeletal conditions. It works by directly reducing muscle hyperactivity and decreasing the transmission of pain.