Flexeril is considered to be a drug with abuse potential with addictive qualities. If addicts can use a stronger drug , they would choose it over Flexeril. The dependence on cyclobenzaprine is proven by the withdrawal symptoms that occur once the medication leaves the bloodstream. Symptoms of Flexeril withdrawal include:. There is also the possibility of becoming psychologically dependent on Flexeril because of the feelings of relaxation.
And when cyclobenzaprine and alcohol, opioids, or drugs are used in combination, that risk becomes even higher. People will abuse cyclobenzaprine to enhance the effects of alcohol or mind-altering drugs. As a result, the cyclobenzaprine high can actually end up leading to the development of addictions to other drugs as well. One of the risks of Flexeril withdrawal includes Flexeril discontinuation syndrome.
People who abuse Flexeril for years and in large amounts may develop the syndrome. The withdrawal syndrome with Flexeril is similar to when people try to stop using tricyclic antidepressants. This is often why people will be admitted into an addiction treatment clinic for Flexeril withdrawal. During cyclobenzaprine addiction treatment, the medication will be slowly tapered off by a reduction of amounts over a certain time frame.
This can help patients avoid the discomfort of withdrawing from cyclobenzaprine. Flexeril is not a narcotic. It is given to patients who are more likely to abuse opiate pain killers and is considered less risky for abuse and addiction. Regardless of the slight high, it gives to users, there is also the potential of becoming dependent on it.
The slight relaxing feeling can become something that becomes a normal part of their everyday experience. This addiction is marked by compulsive drug-seeking behaviors, even when the negative effects of these behaviors are fully recognized.
However, overcoming any addiction can be an incredibly trying process. If you attempt to quit using it on your own, you put yourself at risk for an overdose. This could end up having deadly consequences. If you quit Flexeril and then go back to using, your body may not be ready for a high dose of cyclobenzaprine. You could experience:.
Sometimes people will even have a heart attack or develop seizures. Both can occur when you overdose on Flexeril.
In order to quit safely, you need to opt for professional Flexeril rehab. Getting treated for your Flexeril addiction professional has so many benefits. For one, you are able to learn from people who understand how this type of addiction works. You also get to gain insight into what caused it to occur for you in the first place.
It could have happened for a number of reasons. Maybe you were depressed or anxious and Flexeril offered you a way to feel calm. No matter what the reason is, understanding it is critical because then, the cause can be treated.
At Northpoint Recovery , we know that there are challenges when recovering from an addiction. Do you have questions about Flexeril addiction or about how you can get treated? Please contact us right away. Flexeril is a prescription muscle relaxer that may be sold under its generic name, cyclobenzaprine. It may also be sold under the brand names, Amrix and Fexmid.
Flexeril is typically prescribed to people who suffer from certain types of muscle pain. It relaxes the muscles in the body by blocking the nerve impulses or pain sensations that are sent to the brain. It may be combined with an opioid pain reliever such as Vicodin or Oxycodone for severe or chronic pain in some cases.
Doctors will frequently request that their patients try other forms of treatment as well while they are taking Flexeril. Rest and physical therapy are often recommended. It can be dangerous when it is abused. While most doctors prescribe muscle relaxers to treat pain, they can be used for other reasons as well. But if you have been suffering from back pain, neck pain, or if you are having muscle spasms elsewhere in your body, a muscle relaxer may be prescribed for you to treat the problem.
When you have a muscle spasm, it means that one or more of your muscles is contracting. The twitching or cramping you feel can become uncomfortable and painful, and it is not something you have control over. Your doctor may first suggest that you try an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help with your pain. If they do not work, a muscle relaxer like Flexeril might be the next best option. They work best for acute pain, and if you are having trouble sleeping at night, a muscle relaxer can also help you get some much-needed rest.
If you are prescribed Flexeril for muscle spasms, make sure every medical professional who treats you knows that you are taking it. Flexeril causes withdrawal symptoms when it is stopped. For that reason, you might want to consider going through the detoxification process when you are ready to recover. Prescription drug detox can help you get through the withdrawal symptoms and feel better faster than you would without treatment.
Flexeril withdrawal symptoms can become unpleasant as they progress. That can make it harder for you to avoid taking them just to get some relief. During detox, you may be placed on a medical taper. That means that you will be given smaller doses of Flexeril until you are no longer taking it at all. This can drastically reduce the severity of withdrawal.
You may completely avoid some of the more common symptoms with this method as well. Your medical team may prescribe other types of medications to help you with your withdrawal symptoms as well. For example, if you are having headaches or aches and pains, you may be given something that is non-addictive to help. The goal of drug rehab is to determine what led to the addiction in the first place. For some people who become addicted to Flexeril, they simply did not realize that they could get addicted to it.
Their main concern was pain relief, so they took increasing doses and then became dependent on it. But others get addicted to this drug for very different reasons. Because people can experience euphoric sensations on Flexeril, they may take this drug as a way to get high. For some people, it can be a means of avoiding stressful situations or a way of escaping reality so they do not have to deal with their problems. This is a much deeper issue than simply taking the medication for pain relief.
Drug rehab can help you determine what caused your Flexeril addiction. Once you know that, you can get treatment for the underlying cause and have a better chance of a successful recovery. Many people learn that they have been taking Flexeril as a way of self-medicating a co-occurring disorder. That means that they have a mental health issue and the medication helps by relieving some or all of their symptoms. Ignoring co-occurring disorders is never appropriate when treating an addiction.
Dual diagnosis treatment offers a way of treating both conditions at the same time. This helps the patient see the connection between them and it tends to lead to better outcomes long-term. Thank you for checking out our info! It is always best to do your own research and determine what is best for you. However, only you can determine what is the best route of care for yourself. My Dr perscribed me this because of my scoliosis always pulling on my muscles and my neck has been killing me.
But I take depression and anxiety medications. Benzos, and Norcos are on my med list. Can you telle if a 5mg would be horrible for me to take once a day or even once at all? Thank you for reading, and we are glad yous stopped by. Please contact your care provider for dosages and a recommendation for your question. Happy holidays! I started taking cyclobenzaprine due to an acute injury to my left knee. I took it for a few days and then felt like I was going crazy.
I was yelling and screaming at my kids saying really mean things. I was mad and irritated, i was crying feeling like dumes day was around the corner. I took me some time to stop and get my wits about me. Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology volume 1 , Article number: 16 Cite this article. Metrics details. A case of cyclobenzaprine flexeril overdose and the resultant rhabdomyolysis is presented. A review of the range of clinical toxicity, management of overdose is described.
The similarity of cyclobenzaprine to the tricyclic antidepressant class is emphasized; this report attempts to disseminate related information on this commonly prescribed centrally acting muscle relaxant. Cyclobenzaprine flexeril after its synthesis in was found to have limited antidepressant action with no significant advantage over other tricyclic antidepressants[ 1 ]. However it was found to act as a centrally acting muscle relaxant and has been widely used ever since. Muscle relaxants account for approximately We present this case as an example of the range of cyclobenzaprine toxicity and underline the treatment protocols used.
A 33 year old male was brought into the emergency room after reportedly ingesting approximately 30 pills of 10 mg each of cyclobenzaprine flexeril about 2 hours prior in attempt to commit suicide. Airway was well maintained and he did not require intubation. In the emergency room gastric decontamination was achieved with administration of ipecac with resultant emesis but with only 4 pills returning.
Thereafter the insertion of orogastric tube was performed and gastric lavage with normal saline was performed till clear return occurred and approximately 7 more pills returned. Thereafter 30 gm of activated charcoal was administered through the tube.
Diagnostic studies were as follows: Hb, Arterial blood gas was as follows PH 7. Urine toxicity screen was negative, a qualitative screen was positive for cyclobenzaprine a quantitative screen was not available.
Chest x-ray and CT scan of the head were within normal limits. The patient was monitored in the intensive care unit. He was aggressively hydrated, cardiac monitoring showed tachycardia which resolved on day 3 of his admission.
The patient remained agitated for 48 hours after presentation and required frequent sedation. Urine output dropped and creatinine rose to 1. His mental status improved gradually to being fully oriented on day 4 and he was transferred to a floor bed.
A psychiatry consult opined he wasn't actively suicidal. He was discharged on day 6 and on follow up in the clinic a week thereafter was doing well with no active issues. Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant acting primarily on the central nervous system.
It is structurally similar to Amitryptilline, differing by only one double bond. Cyclobenzaprine is a weak inhibitor of presynaptic norepinephrine and serotonin. Skeletal muscle relaxant activity is due to brainstem mediated inhibition of gamma motor neurons. Range of toxicity is similar to tricyclic antidepressant overdose.
Anticholinergic symptoms predominate, extreme cases may manifest with cardiac dysrhytmias and seizures. Hypo and hypertension have been documented. The side effect profile of this drug includes headache, dizziness, drowsiness, dysphagia, nausea, constipation, dry mouth, and a few others. The overdose and regular use of the drug can be fatal to a great extent. Such improper use can lead to multiple abnormalities that can cause death. As we discussed that cyclobenzaprine is supposed to act at the brain stem, which is the same area that controls the heart rate.
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. In a similar way that Flexeril affects heart rate, it can also compromise respiration. Difficulty in breathing, initially leading to a complete stoppage, can be a possible outcome of this drug. Some cases of Flexeril overdose has shown symptoms of serotonin syndrome. Seizures, nausea, agitation, and hallucinations are reported effects of the drug overdose.
Cyclobenzaprine can also induce dangerous drug interactions, especially with MAOIs. Also, its use with barbiturates, benzodiazepines, verapamil has shown exaggeration of adverse effects. Thus the drug is very much likely to cause death in extreme cases. However, what doses and concentration are lethal are questions still to be discussed. The drug comes up in 5,7 and 10 mg preparations.
Thus one can have an idea of the overdose. Also, taking more tablets in a short time can be fatal. Flexeril must only be used to 1 to 2 weeks. A longer and regular use of the drug for a month or more can also be a life taking amount. However, all these amounts can vary in different individuals. A combination of age, sex, weight, other medical conditions, and genetic factors play a significant role in the determination of lethal dose.
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