Cyclobenzaprine, commonly known as Flexeril, is a prescription muscle relaxer that shares similar qualities with tricyclic antidepressants, which are used to treat depression, anxiety, and pain. In addition to helping anxiety symptoms, cyclobenzaprine is also commonly prescribed to alleviate acute musculoskeletal pain and discomfort that results from muscle injuries and is often used alongside physical therapy. This medication was approved in 1977 for both immediate and extended-release forms and specifically targets pain caused by muscle spasms and sprains. While this medication helps treat ailments like mild pain, the cyclobenzaprine abuse potential is high. Our Lake Worth drug rehab knows that cyclobenzaprine is addictive and can lead to a drug use disorder as well as numerous adverse side effects when abused or misused.
What Does Cyclobenzaprine Do?
As a muscle relaxant, cyclobenzaprine works by blocking nerve impulses from sending sensations of pain to the brain. It’s most often used to treat muscle spasms that cause pain and discomfort as well as minor injuries. When treating pain, Flexeril is often used alongside physical therapy and consistent rest to promote healing. Cyclobenzaprine is also used to treat patients with fibromyalgia.
Cyclobenzaprine alleviates skeletal muscle spasms without interfering with muscle function. According to preclinical research, cyclobenzaprine reduces skeletal muscle hyperactivity by acting primarily in the central nervous system. Additionally, the drug has an impact on tonic somatic motor activity (tonic meaning a state of continuous activity).
However, unlike benzodiazepines, cyclobenzaprine stimulates the release of the chemical norepinephrine, which is also known as noradrenaline. This is both a neurotransmitter and a hormone that plays a crucial role in the body’s fight-or-flight response.
Is Cyclobenzaprine Addictive?
In addition to alleviating pain, cyclobenzaprine can also improve sleep, improve motor skills, and boost energy levels in people who are suffering from severe muscle pain. These are largely the reasons why you can get addicted to cyclobenzaprine. Pain is difficult to live with every day, so it’s no surprise that people may become addicted to cyclobenzaprine because of its effects.
In addition to misusing cyclobenzaprine as an emotional crutch for coping with discomfort, long-term misuse also leads to chemical changes in the brain. These changes also contribute to a physical dependence on the drug.
Can Cyclobenzaprine Be Abused?
Muscle relaxants like cyclobenzaprine are frequently administered to treat muscle spasms and the pain they cause. Cyclobenzaprine carries some risk even though it is not regarded as a controlled substance and does not have the same potential for abuse as certain other medications.
However, since cyclobenzaprine has sedative properties, some people may abuse it by becoming excessively sleepy or drowsy. Abusing cyclobenzaprine can have several negative effects and even be dangerous. These include taking larger doses than recommended or using it without a prescription.
Additionally, there is a greater chance of adverse effects and potentially hazardous interactions when cyclobenzaprine is combined with other drugs, such as alcohol or other CNS depressants. Because of its sedative qualities, people who want to intensify the effects of other medications may use cyclobenzaprine. Particularly, combining Flexeril with alcohol is frequent as this pairing heightens each other’s sedative properties, leading to more profound sedation and an intensified high. This combination can significantly alter the user’s mental state and increase the risk of severe side effects.
The drug makes you feel calm and sleepy, but some people abuse it to make drugs like alcohol, benzodiazepines, or opioids work harder. The central nervous system may become more depressed as a result of this combination, which raises the possibility of negative reactions, overdose, and respiratory issues.
This kind of drug-taking behavior puts one’s health at grave risk and emphasizes how crucial it is to comprehend the possible effects of mixing medications, even ones that aren’t usually abused. When it comes to teaching patients about the right use of medications, possible interactions, and the dangers of substance abuse, healthcare professionals are essential. People must adhere to recommended protocols and seek advice from their medical professionals if they have any questions or experience any side effects.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have worries about the possibility of abuse or misuse of any medication, including cyclobenzaprine. They can offer advice on how to take medication correctly, discuss possible adverse effects, and keep an eye on your health as you receive treatment.
What Are the Side Effects of Cyclobenzaprine?
Unfortunately, like many other medications, Flexeril can also produce a variety of negative side effects that can be dangerous and just as uncomfortable as the person’s original pain.
Common cyclobenzaprine side effects include:
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Fevers
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation and other digestive issues
- Stomach pain
- Acid reflux
- Dry mouth
- Vision problems
- Anxiety
- Problems urinating
Another life-threatening symptom of cyclobenzaprine dependence is an overdose. A drug overdose occurs when a person ingests more of a substance than the body can process at that moment. When the body senses that it’s been poisoned, in a way, it begins to shut down. While cyclobenzaprine doesn’t produce the typical feelings of euphoria that people often become addicted to, people will abuse it for its relaxing side effects.
The more of it a person takes, the more relaxed they’ll feel. Overdosing on Flexeril can lead to depression of the central nervous system which may result in heart failure, heart attack, low blood pressure, seizures, and potentially fatal outcomes. The risk of overdose increases exponentially when combined with other substances like alcohol and benzodiazepines.
An addiction is a chronic disease that takes over the mind and body. It often requires professional and consistent treatment to help an addict fully recover from the physical and mental dependence they’ve developed. Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches offers detox in Palm Beach County, which serves as the first step in many patients’ addiction treatment plans. A medically assisted detox is a safe and effective way to treat the withdrawal symptoms of a cyclobenzaprine addiction.
Signs of Cyclobenzaprine Addiction
While many people don’t identify Flexeril as an addictive substance, its relaxing side effects often lead to misuse, which can result in dependency. A person may abuse cyclobenzaprine to feel relaxed or sedated. Because it works by targeting the central nervous system, cyclobenzaprine can alter brain activity. A person taking cyclobenzaprine for pain can become accustomed to having it in their system if they begin to take a higher dose than prescribed or begin to take it more frequently than directed.
Even so, cyclobenzaprine is not addictive in the same way that opioids are. While opioids produce a high that can lead to euphoria and make permanent changes to brain chemistry, cyclobenzaprine is addictive in a different way. Not only may patients who are accustomed to its effects become emotionally dependent on it to feel comfortable, but they may also continue to take the medication simply to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Signs of Flexeril addiction and abuse to look out for include:
- Taking cyclobenzaprine when they no longer need to or when the injury is healed
- Developed tolerance, needing more of the drug to experience the same side effects
- Spend most of their day thinking about how they’re going to get cyclobenzaprine and when they’ll have the chance to take it next
- Lying about feeling symptoms to get a new prescription
- Lying about losing prescriptions to get more
- Sudden changes in mood or behavior
- Sudden changes in appearance and hygiene
Combining Flexeril with alcohol and other drugs is also a common indicator of cyclobenzaprine addiction. This is an extremely dangerous and often life-threatening habit. At our rehab in Palm Beach County, we offer a residential addiction treatment that focuses on helping patients recover from their addictions under the 24-hour care of our team.
Street Names for Cyclobenzaprine
Cyclobenzaprine drug abuse can also be identified by recognizing the slang terms for cyclobenzaprine. Some common street names for Flexeril include:
- Flexies
- Mellow Yellow
- Cyclone
- Whitney Houston
