What Are Some Signs & Symptoms of Flexeril Abuse?
Their pupils may be dilated, breathing could be slow or shallow, and the skin may be cold or pale. If the person is awake, they may appear confused or drunk, with trouble balancing and slurred speech. People who purchase illicit Flexeril refer to the drug as cyclone or mellow yellow because the pills are yellow in color. Cyclobenzaprine was originally prednisone and flexeril approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for prescription use in the United States in 1977. Although the drug has been diverted for illicit use, it is not regulated through the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) drug schedules, defined by the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). However, the 5 mg tablets are 5-sided and yellow-orange.
If you have liver problems, your doctor may try to keep you on a lower dose. The immediate-release tablets last for about four to six hours, while the extended-release tablets last around 24 hours. Because of the possibility of higher blood levels in the elderly as compared to younger adults, use of cyclobenzaprine extended-release capsules is not recommended in the elderly. This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription. If you are not able to swallow the extended-release capsule whole, mix the contents of the capsule with applesauce.
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Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
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- It also significantly increases the likelihood of a cyclobenzaprine overdose which can result in extreme drowsiness and CNS depression.
- Cyclobenzaprine works by blocking the pain signals sent from nerves to the brain (two key components of the central nervous system), rather than impacting the muscles directly.
- Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions very carefully.
- It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine.
These conditions can cause lasting physical damage, especially if the person does not receive emergency medical attention quickly enough. While it can be abused if it’s mismanaged, it really isn’t worth the health risks the high offers. 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.
Flexeril can be used to treat muscular dystrophy, as it helps to control the muscle spasms and damage that occur from this disease. Flexeril is also used to relieve pain from any muscle strain or sprain. The drug has also shown small success for treating symptoms of fibromyalgia, a chronic pain syndrome. Due to its painkilling properties, there is a risk of drug abuse that accompanies taking Flexeril for extended periods of time.
Withdrawal symptoms have been noted with the discontinuation of chronic cyclobenzaprine use. Use of a medication taper may be warranted for chronic-use patients. Abuse of cyclobenzaprine is relatively rare but most often occurs in the context of other substance use. Polydrug abuse can cause serious harm, especially when the combination includes CNS depressing substances such as benzodiazepines and alcohol. Wherever there are drug highs to be found, there are adverse effects including the risk of overdosing, developing an addiction, and even withdrawal effects. In rare circumstances, cyclobenzaprine can even cause life-threatening complications.
Addictions
This includes dizziness, difficulty thinking, and drowsiness. As a result, they may be more likely to physically hurt themselves while abusing cyclobenzaprine and alcohol. It’s not advised to drink alcohol at all while they’re being treated with Flexeril.
Users should also avoid operating any machinery as the drug is known to induce intense feelings of drowsiness. These factors may affect how you should use this medication. It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
The medication helps control the muscle spasms that result in pain. Typically, a doctor will prescribe Flexeril as part of a treatment plan that also includes rest and physical therapy. In some cases, Flexeril can be used in order to treat pain from certain musculoskeletal disorders like fibromyalgia. Flexeril works by acting on the central nervous system, blocking pain sensations that would otherwise travel from sore and spasming muscles to the brain. This pain-blocking mechanism can contribute to abuse of the medication and may result in Flexeril addiction. For neck pain, however, mixed results are obtained (Peloso et al 2005).
