Robaxin vs Flexeril: Differences, similarities, and which is better for you

Withdrawal symptoms have been noted with the discontinuation of chronic cyclobenzaprine use. It is more widely recognized by its trade name Zanaflex, and it was first approved for muscle spasm treatment in 1996. Only a medical professional can prescribe this medication, which acts on the central nervous system and treats multiple sclerosis and certain spinal injuries.

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Also known as Carisoprodol, Soma, much like Xanax, has the potential for being abused and therefore should be stopped if there is a concern or a patient’s predisposition to substance abuse. Choosing Gablofen over Soma is normal as Soma offers greater side effects. Also, avoid using Soma in people over 65 and always go for better options if available. Even if prescribed, use only for two to three weeks as prolonged use has no evidence of showing effectiveness. There is a key difference between the dosing instructions for each of the medications. Cyclobenzaprine should be taken at doses ranging from 5-10 mg three times per day with no more than 30 mg daily, while Tizanidine usually begins with 2-4 mg per day but can increase up to 36 mg as needed.

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In case of acute cyclobenzaprine overdose, emergency medicine physicians and triage nurses should stabilize the patient. If EKG demonstrates QRS prolongation, the clinician should initiate sodium bicarbonate therapy. In severe overdose, ventricular arrhythmias and seizures may require MICU-level of care under the supervision of a critical care physician. As discussed above, the clinician should consider contacting the poison control center in refractory cases. A psychiatrist consult is required for deliberate poisoning of cyclobenzaprine.

Discuss dosing and delivery options with your healthcare provider to minimize risks. If you’re dealing with spasticity and chronic pain related to neurological disease or injury, such as multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury, then baclofen may be best for you. Abstracted data included setting, country of origin, treatment characteristics (dose, duration, and can flexeril help sciatica pain follow-up), demo graphics, number of participants enrolled, follow-up losses, adverse effects, and outcomes. Outcomes were extracted as either dichotomous or continuous variables (or both), depending on how they were reported in the studies. Despite these guidelines, cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride is still commonly used in the management of acute back pain.

Whether similar benefits will accrue with a single nighttime dose is uncertain. Whether cyclobenzaprine is superior to other drugs for the management of acute myofascial strain is unclear and it usually adds more side effects with little therapeutic gain (Turturro et al 2003). There are no extensive studies on the use of cyclobenzaprine in the management of painful orofacial musculoskeletal conditions.

The dose needs to be gradually increased and tapered to avoid withdrawal symptoms. The strength of the two depends on the dosage and purpose for which each drug is used, so it isn’t easy to compare the strength of Baclofen vs. Flexeril. You should never take both medications together as you significantly increase the severity of side effects, including the risk of experiencing a muscle relaxer overdose. Reviewing your symptoms, current medication list, and medical history with your healthcare provider is the best way to decide which muscle relaxer will work best.

• When taken along with other drugs, it can cause increased suppression of brain function.
• Baclofen is also injected into the spinal cord to treat severe spasticity, spinal cord injuries, and other spinal cord diseases.
• Most healthcare professionals agree that muscle relaxants are overprescribed, especially since the risks and adverse effects outweigh the benefits in some cases (1).
• To view a report comparing 3 (or more) medications, please sign in or create an account.

Alcohol can compound muscle-relaxant side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, or loss of coordination. Even if you have insurance, the prices of Robaxin, Fexmid, Amrix, and other muscle relaxants may be cheaper through the BuzzRx discount program. You can get your BuzzRx card for free and start saving on muscle relaxants at a participating pharmacy near you right away. Addiction Resource does not offer medical diagnosis, treatment, or advice. Only trained and licensed medical professionals can provide such services.

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However, there are some indications that show that it can be intentionally misused. That means the effects of doses of Lioresal medication on pregnant women have not been studied yet. The drug is found in breast milk in traces of lactating mothers taking it orally. There isn’t any information available about Gablofen pregnancy effects when the drug is taken intrathecally.

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It is also injected into the spinal cord (intrathecal) for management of severe spasticity. Cyclobenzaprine has been compared to Valium (diazepam) and Soma (carisoprodol) in clinical trials. Cyclobenzaprine was similarly effective to these drugs for treating acute low back pain. Some people prefer Fexmid and Amrix over Robaxin because it is dosed once a day rather than 3 to 4 times a day. On the other hand, they can cause more adverse effects such as dry mouth and drowsiness.

Is Flexeril a pain killer or muscle relaxer?

If you have any concerns about your medication dosage, consult your doctor. Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) is structurally similar to TCAs and, as such, demonstrates significant anticholinergic side effects. It is generally used for musculoskeletal conditions, including fibromyalgia and low back pain. Cyclobenzaprine is best used in short-term treatment but may be used intermittently or long-term for chronic pain. The decreased rates of somnolence with CER may be related to its unique pharmacokinetic profile. If CER is dosed in the early evening (between 6 and 7 pm, as was the case in the clinical studies), then peak concentrations should occur in the middle of the night (between midnight and 2 am).