Inappropriate Use of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants in Geriatric Patients

The perceived benefits of taking any medication should always outweigh the potential risks. Summary Conservative treatment is the first line of treatment with all muscle spasm. Flexeril treatment is typically initiated at a dosage of 5 mg three times per day. If necessary, the dose can then be increased to a maximum of 10 mg three times per day, with each dose spaced about 8 hours apart. However, it’s crucial to note that an increase in dosage should only be considered if there is no significant improvement in muscle spasms and discomfort after two weeks of treatment at the initial lower dose.

• For example, providers sometimes prescribe diazepam to treat anxiety and seizures.
• It is not recommended to consume alcohol while on Robaxin or Flexeril.
• Prescription muscle relaxers can be effective in treating spasticity, muscle spasms and muscle-related pain.

In this study, none of the metrics used to measure efficacy differed significantly between patients receiving methocarbamol and those taking cyclobenzaprine. Although all skeletal muscle relaxants should be used with caution in older patients, diazepam especially should be avoided in older patients or in patients with significant cognitive or hepatic impairment. Robaxin is the brand name of the generic medication called methocarbamol. It was developed in the 1960s to treat pain and provide relief from muscle spasms. While its exact mechanism of action remains unclear, scientists believe Robaxin can help with pain and discomfort caused by musculoskeletal conditions by blocking the pain signals that are sent to the brain.

Your healthcare provider and/or pharmacist will give you specific instructions on how to take the medication. The risk of dependence is increased when benzodiazepines are prescribed alongside opioid drugs like fentanyl. Painosoma.com is an information-providing website and does not sell any products. We are not advising our users to take any drugs discussed on our website. Our main objective is to spread scientifically backed information to the users visiting our website without promoting a specific brand or product.

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As most muscle relaxers act as sedatives, some people take muscle relaxers alone or in combination with other drugs for nonmedical reasons to produce or enhance feelings of euphoria and dissociation. This means they have addiction potential and can cause withdrawal symptoms if you develop a dependence and stop taking them. You should avoid these medications if you have a personal or family history of substance use disorder. Yes, prescription muscle relaxers can make you sleepy due to how they affect your central nervous system.

Methocarbamol typically needs to be taken up to 4 times a day, whereas cyclobenzaprine extended-release capsules offer the convenience of once-a-day dosing. Keep in mind that regular cyclobenzaprine tablets may require dosing of up to 3 times a day. Although antispastics and flexeril antispasmodics are both types of skeletal muscle relaxants, they have specific and different uses. In addition, some of these medications treat conditions not related to muscle function. For example, providers sometimes prescribe diazepam to treat anxiety and seizures.

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Knowing the activity of the medication helps in understanding the efficacy of drugs. The side effect profile between these two drugs is similar; both being generally well-tolerated but known to cause drowsiness and dry mouth. However, Flexeril might lead to more pronounced cognitive impairment than Robaxin due its anticholinergic activity. For both medications, it’s important that patients closely monitor symptoms when starting treatment or adjusting dosage and seek medical help immediately if any severe reactions occur. Methocarbamol, in its generic form as well as brand names such as Robaxin, was estimated to have been prescribed to about 3.5 million people in the US in 2020.

Can We Consume Alcohol With Robaxin Or Flexeril?

However, cyclobenzaprine is one of the most studied muscle relaxers with strong evidence for its effectiveness. It comes as an injection as well as a 500 mg or 750 mg oral tablet. Those who are prescribed Robaxin tablets need to take two or three tablets four times per day, initially. Then, one or two tablets three to four times per day or more is recommended. Any missing drug warnings or information does not in any way guarantee the safety, effectiveness, or the lack of adverse effects of any drug. The drug information provided is intended for reference only and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice.

Robaxin contains methocarbamol and is usually dosed multiple times per day. Flexeril contains cyclobenzaprine and is available in an extended-release form that can be taken once per day. Methocarbamol and cyclobenzaprine are not recommended in elderly adults.

What is the difference between cyclobenzaprine and methocarbamol?

It is also not known whether methocarbamol can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Therefore, methocarbamol should be used with caution in patients with myasthenia gravis receiving anticholinesterase agents. 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. Intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) formulations may also be used commonly in the postoperative setting.[14][15] one gram can be injected every eight hours by IM or IV route. The dose should not exceed three grams daily and should not be used for more than three consecutive days.

While all the medicines are effective, one specific muscle relaxant might work better than others for you. Please continue reading to learn about the similarities and differences between methocarbamol and cyclobenzaprine, including how they work, their side effects, drug interactions, cost, and more. These allergic reactions can manifest as trouble breathing, severe rash, and swelling. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience these adverse effects.