Cyclobenzaprine vs Methocarbamol Comparison

On the other hand, if the patient is seeking short-term treatment for painful muscle spasms only, Skelaxin may be considered. Drug comparisons between cyclobenzaprine and methocarbamol in terms of side effects do not reveal many differences. Both medications can cause adverse effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, headache, nausea, and fatigue. Also, cyclobenzaprine can cause dry mouth because it has anticholinergic effects. Flexeril works on the central nervous system to reduce motor activity or muscle contractions, thus, relieving muscle spasms.

• Robaxin (methocarbamol) and Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) are muscle relaxants used together with rest and physical therapy to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain or injury.
• Robaxin helps to manage muscle spasms by depressing the central nervous system, reducing its communication with the muscles.
• Thereafter, the dosage can usually be reduced to approximately 4 grams a day.
• Among those known to be habit-forming are Amrix, Ativan, Restoril, Soma, and Valium.

Skeletal muscle relaxants are widely used in treating musculoskeletal conditions. However, evidence of their effectiveness consists mainly of studies with poor methodologic design. In addition, these drugs have not been proven to be superior to acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for low back pain.

What are the most-prescribed muscle relaxants?

Muscle relaxers are sometimes prescribed for people with osteoarthritis pain and other types of musculoskeletal pain. They are available by prescription only and intended for short-term use. Many are prescribed in tablet, capsule, or liquid form, but there are also injectable forms used for rapid relief of acute pain. Flexeril has been discontinued but cyclobenzaprine flexeril for pulled muscle can be found under its generic name or two other brand names, which are Amrix and Fexmid. With over 18 million prescriptions in 2018 alone, cyclobenzaprine was the 43rd most commonly prescribed medication in the US. If you’re dealing with neck or back pain, you’re likely dealing with a condition that causes your muscle to spasm or continuously exist in states of pain.

It has no direct action on the contractile mechanism of striated muscle, the motor end plate or the nerve fiber. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Contraindications Cyclobenzaprine was originally intended for use as an antidepressant 8. Use baclofen cautiously if you have kidney issues 2 , In general, avoid combining baclofen or cyclobenzaprine with any prescription drug that acts on the central nervous system 2 , 8.

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Moreover, this medication is unsafe for adults over the age of 65 or under 16. For the medication Soma, medical professionals from North Carolina reported that even Carisoprodol, the generic of Soma, can cause drug dependence and withdrawal. Knowing the activity of the medication helps in understanding the efficacy of drugs. Usually, when patients cannot use Robaxin, other muscle relaxants are being used as an alternative.

What conditions is Flexeril approved to treat?

If more is needed, a doctor will prescribe the right dosage for the patient. Mostly known by its generic name of methocarbamol, Robaxin has been around for decades, dating back to the 1960s. Although its exact components are generally unknown, it’s used mostly to relieve an individual of various bouts of discomfort.

Since Robaxin and Flexeril have CNS depressant effects, they can interact with other drugs that have similar effects. Drugs that have CNS depressant effects include barbiturates and benzodiazepines. You may also report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA by visiting the FDA MedWatch website or calling FDA-1088. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. The risk of dependence is increased when benzodiazepines are prescribed alongside opioid drugs like fentanyl.

Summary 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. Deciding on the Best Option for You Conservative treatment, such as physical therapy, exercise, and NSAIDs, should always be the first choice for remedying muscle spasms and related pain.

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. Because of limited comparable effectiveness data, choice of agent should be based on side-effect profile, patient preference, abuse potential, and possible drug interactions. Methocarbamol is a centrally-acting skeletal muscle relaxant (SMR) approved for the treatment of acute musculoskeletal pain. Specific FDA indications for use are vague and have not been recently reviewed. Other commonly prescribed anti-spasmodic agents include cyclobenzaprine and carisoprodol.

For patients dealing with muscle spasms and pain, certain medications that relax the muscles can help in managing discomfort and facilitating recovery. Robaxin and Flexeril are two such drugs often prescribed for these conditions. They each impact different pathways within the nervous system but both have muscle-relaxant effects on patients suffering from painful musculoskeletal conditions.