What Is Flexeril? What Is Flexeril Used For and Why It Can Be Addictive?

What Is Flexeril? What Is Flexeril Used For and Why It Can Be Addictive?

It has a half-life of 18 hours so it will stay in the body for about 90 hours. If a person has liver or kidney problems, the drug may remain in the body for longer. This is because the liver will take longer to process the drug through.

It contains Cyclobenzaprine, which carries a risk of abuse and dependence, and is considered a Schedule 4 drug in the United States by the DEA. Cyclobenzaprine is a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant structurally related to tricyclic antidepressants. Cyclobenzaprine is a tricyclic amine salt that works in the central nervous system (CNS) as a depressant that reduces muscle hyperactivity.

What is the Withdrawal Timeline for Cyclobenzaprine?

Some people try Flexeril for the high they get and become addicted to that feeling. However a person becomes addictive, it is difficult to quit without the help of a treatment program that supports detox and eases withdrawal symptoms. Because it’s generally prescribed as a short-term response to acute pain, Flexeril abuse is rather unlikely.

  • Therefore, it is crucial for individuals struggling with cyclobenzaprine addiction to seek professional help to manage their withdrawal symptoms carefully.
  • Inpatient treatment programs may be beneficial to those who prefer to have round-the-clock support and access to extensive treatment programs without the pressure of their normal routines.
  • It demonstrates similar therapeutic effects to physical therapy for neck pain (26).
  • Changes in the electrocardiogram (a recording of the heart’s electrical activity), particularly in QRS axis or width, are clinically significant indicators of cyclobenzaprine toxicity.

And when this dependency gets out of hand, Flexeril addiction is possible, which can have long-term implications and health effects that can end up tearing apart your life as you know it. These two dangerous consequences of Flexeril abuse are exacerbated by the fact that mixing drugs with cyclobenzaprine can make Flexeril addictive and deadly on a whole new level. Taking Flexeril with MAOs puts a person at high risk of a dangerous medical condition. It can occur when Tetracyclic Compounds and MAOIs both raise the level of serotonin too high in the body. It can cause changes in blood pressure, body temperature and lead to a change in behavior.

Aftercare Programs

Cyclobenzaprine is in a separate class of chemicals for its muscle relaxing properties. Flexeril actually blocks certain nerve impulses sent to the brain but can be just as addictive as other opioids on the market used for similar reasons. Abuse of Flexeril happens will flexeril make you drowsy through dissolving in alcohol, snorting, or taking a pill. People who abuse this drug may also abuse alcohol, opioids, or barbiturates. It is crucial to understand that addiction is a complex issue, and everyone who uses Flexeril doesn’t need to become addicted.

Xanax Addiction And Abuse – Addiction to Alprazolam – Addiction Center

Xanax Addiction And Abuse – Addiction to Alprazolam.

Posted: Mon, 05 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Therefore, any form of the drug should only be taken as directed and following the instructions on the package or by the doctor – just as with any prescription medication. An increased tolerance increases the chances of experiencing a Flexeril overdose. Much like most prescription drugs, abusing Flexeril can quickly turn into a fully-fledged addiction. Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is a muscle relaxant prescribed to treat muscle spasms, which can be caused by certain medical conditions or injuries. One of the primary signs of addiction to cyclobenzaprine is experiencing withdrawal symptoms when the drug’s effect wears off.

Dangerous fluctuations in body temperature, irregular heartbeat, and even convulsions are all possible from too much cyclobenzaprine recreational use. Flexeril recreational use can also end up leading to the development of physical dependency. This is marked by a need to use cyclobenzaprine regularly in order to simply function.

Outpatient treatment also consists of some combination of detox, counseling, and peer support, but care takes place on a part-time basis while the patient continues to reside in their home. Although it is an unscheduled drug with a relatively low potential for abuse, people can develop compulsive patterns of use with cyclobenzaprine, which can lead to serious consequences. If additional types of substance dependence (e.g., alcohol, opioids, sedatives) are a factor, medical detox may be needed.

Even though the drug is not yet classified as a controlled substance in the United States, Cyclobenzaprine can be abused, resulting in increased tolerance and addiction. As a result, it is often sought after under the street names Flexies, Cyclone, and Mellow yellow. NIDA reports that young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 (according to 2014 data) abuse prescription drugs at the highest rates of any other age demographic. Young adults may use the Internet to access information on how to abuse Flexeril and the possible desirable effects that may come from the drug’s recreational use.

Signs of Cyclobenzaprine Abuse and Addiction

This is also the reason why prescriptions typically never last more than a few weeks. A person should never operate machinery or attempt to drive while mixing Flexeril with other drugs. Using Flexeril with a CNS depressant is dangerous, because each drug will only amplify the other’s dangerous side effects.