No, Flexeril (also known as cyclobenzaprine) is not typically a dangerous drug and is not likely to cause death in people who take it as prescribed. However, when taken in larger-than-recommended doses or mixed with alcohol or other drugs, Flexeril can be more dangerous and lead to serious side effects including hallucinations, confusion, drowsiness, respiratory depression, and an irregular heart rate.
In rare cases, muscle relaxant drugs like Flexeril can be risky to some extent if misused. It is possible that abusing muscle relaxers may even lead to coma or death. Therefore, it’s important to speak with a medical professional before taking any medications and follow instructions carefully.
What is Flexeril?
Flexeril (also known as cyclobenzaprine) is a muscle relaxant that is used to treat short-term pain, muscle spasms, and discomfort associated with musculoskeletal conditions. It belongs to a class of drugs called skeletal muscle relaxants, which help to reduce tension in the muscles by blocking nerve impulses that cause muscle spasms and physical pain.
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.
How is Flexeril Taken?
Cyclobenzaprine, like other muscle relaxants, is only used orally. It is prepared in two formulations. In tablet form and extended-release capsular forms, their definitive mechanism of action is still unclear; however, the drug is considered to act on the brain stem. It works to seize the motor transmission to skeletal muscles by putting a stop to alpha and gamma neurons of the transmission pathway. However, the full effects are different for everyone especially if it’s taken with other drugs.
Half-life and Elimination
The half-life of Flexeril ranges from 8 to 37 hours. The drug is metabolized mainly in the liver by the cytochrome enzymes and excreted in urine by the kidneys. Any delay in its removal from the body can pose a risk.
Flexeril Use and Effects
Most physicians prescribe Flexeril for muscle spasms due to acute musculoskeletal conditions. This is their only proven use, and any other purpose is yet unconfirmed and thus risky. The side effect profile of this drug includes headache, dizziness, drowsiness, dysphagia, nausea, constipation, dry mouth, and a few others. It is important to note that misuse or overuse of Flexeril can work adversely against the patient and may even lead to negative side effects. It is also necessary to consult a doctor before starting any sort of treatment with this drug.
What is Flexeril Addiction?
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.
Signs of Flexeril Addiction
Signs of Flexeril addiction include the following:
- Increased tolerance to the drug
- Compulsive use despite negative consequences
- Withdrawal symptoms after stopping use.
People with Flexeril dependence may also exhibit obsessive thoughts about obtaining or using the drug, as well as taking higher doses than recommended. Other side effects associated with excessive consumption of Flexeril can include confusion, impaired coordination, blurred vision, and increased heart rate. In extreme cases, these effects can lead to coma or death.
Is Flexeril Lethal?
Now that we’ve discussed the related details, you may still be asking the question. “Can Flexeril kill you?†The answer to this is yes, however, it is highly unlikely if you are taking Flexeril as prescribed. If you combine Flexeril with other drugs or engage in other forms of Flexeril abuse the drug has the complete capability to pose lethal complications.
What is Flexeril Overdose?
Flexeril overdose occurs when one takes too much of this medication. Overdosing on Flexeril can have very serious consequences, including coma and even death. It is also possible to experience an accidental overdose if you are taking other medications at the same time that could interact with it and cause toxicity.
What Other Severe Health Problems Can be Caused by Abusing Flexeril?
1- Heart complications
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.
2- Respiratory Irregularities
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 prescription muscle relaxer.
3- Serotonin Syndrome
Some cases of Flexeril abuse have shown symptoms of serotonin syndrome. Seizures, nausea, agitation, and hallucinations are reported effects of the drug overdose.
4- Drug Interaction
Cyclobenzaprine can also induce dangerous drug interactions, especially with MAO inhibitors. Also, its use with barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and verapamil have shown a greater risk of adverse effects.
Thus the drug is very much likely to cause death in extreme cases. However, which doses and concentrations are lethal are questions still to be discussed.
What is Considered a Lethal Dose of Flexeril?
Taking 3 to 5 times more than the prescribed dose of Flexeril can cause dangerous effects. The drug is available in 5, 7, and 10 mg doses. So taking anywhere between 15 mg to 50 mg can lead to deadly consequences. Also, taking more tablets in a short time can cause adverse side effects. Of course, the amount of Flexeril a person can take will vary for different individuals. A combination of age, sex, weight, other medical conditions, and genetic factors play a significant role in the determination of a lethal dose.
Flexeril is a prescription drug that should only be used for 1 to 2 weeks. It is important to note that Flexeril should not be taken for longer than 12 weeks as it may then become habit-forming and lead to potential Flexeril withdrawal symptoms. Before taking Flexeril, it is important to speak with your doctor about any other medications you are taking, allergies, or medical conditions.
What Should I Consider Before Taking Flexeril?
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. 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. They will likely recommend gradually reducing your dose over time in order to avoid any uncomfortable side effects such as nausea or dizziness. You should also inform your doctor if you feel like the medication isn’t working anymore, or if you experience any adverse side effects from taking it.
It is important not to exceed the recommended dosage or duration of treatment prescribed by your doctor as this can lead to serious side effects including hallucinations, confusion, drowsiness, respiratory depression, and an irregular heartbeat. Therefore it is essential to follow instructions carefully when taking Flexeril and contact a healthcare professional immediately if any signs of distress or unexpected health changes occur.
Treatment for Flexeril Drug Abuse
Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) addiction is a serious medical condition that requires professional, comprehensive treatment. Fortunately, there are several effective treatments available for individuals who are struggling with Flexeril addiction and dependence.
The first step in treating any type of substance use disorder is to seek a professional evaluation by a qualified healthcare provider. This assessment will evaluate the severity of your addiction and provide an individualized treatment plan based on the results.
Detoxification is one of the primary treatments for Flexeril addiction. Detox is a process of allowing the body to rid itself of toxins while being monitored by medical professionals. During detox, individuals may experience withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, shaking, nausea, and vomiting as their bodies work to expel the substance from their system. The goal of detox is to help individuals achieve physical stability so they can begin focusing on mental health issues related to their addiction.
After detox has been completed, individuals may enter an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation program for treatment. Inpatient programs involve 24-hour supervision and intensive therapy designed to help people overcome the psychological components of Flexeril addiction through group therapy sessions and individual counseling. Outpatient programs allow individuals more flexibility than inpatient programs–they attend regular therapy sessions but are not required to stay at a facility overnight or all day long like in an inpatient setting.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is also available for those suffering from Flexeril addiction. Medications like buprenorphine can be used during detoxification and recovery to relieve cravings and decrease physical discomfort associated with withdrawals from muscle relaxers. MATs should always be combined with other forms of therapy such as counseling or psychotherapy to ensure lasting sobriety.
Lastly, aftercare support is essential for those recovering from Flexeril addiction. It helps reduce relapse rates as well as continued success in recovery programs by providing graduates access to resources such as sober living accommodations, 12-step meetings, mentorship opportunities, and relapse prevention strategies so they can stay focused on achieving lasting sobriety after completing their program.
Are You Struggling with Using Muscle Relaxers?
If you or a loved one is struggling with abusing muscle relaxers you can find relief. Reach out to one of our addiction treatment specialists today to learn more about your options.
