Baclofen vs Flexeril: Side Effects and Differences

But in most cases where it is prescribed, like when you use it for back pain, multiple sclerosis, spasticity, and others, it has to be taken for a long term. Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine) is indicated for treating pain and muscle spasms related to short-term skeletal problems and muscle pain. It acts on the brain stem region, relieving short-term musculoskeletal pain and improves mobility. Cyclobenzaprine (sometimes branded as Flexeril) is an antispasmodic, FDA-approved medication for the treatment of acute musculoskeletal pain (8). It belongs to a group of medications called tricyclic antidepressants. Cyclobenzaprine should be combined with rest and other conservative interventions in the treatment of acute muscle spasm.

• Baclofen’s drug interactions can include prescription medications, over the counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products.
• The peak plasma concentration can be achieved in 2 to 3 hours after intake.
• Baclofen should not be taken during pregnancy as it can cause birth defects.
• The way that Flexeril works is that it stops your brain from perceiving pain by blocking the nerve impulses that your brain would interpret as hurtful.

Muscle relaxants can act on the central nervous system or on the peripheral nervous system, depending on the cause of the muscle spasm. They’re generally classified as antispastic drugs or antispasmodic drugs, depending on their mechanism of action. The usual starting dose of oral baclofen for treating spasticity in adults is 5 mg given three times daily.

What are the types of muscle relaxers?

Don’t drive or operate heavy machinery while taking cyclobenzaprine (8). The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Abrupt discontinuation of baclofen may cause seizures and hallucinations, high fever, rebound spasticity, muscle rigidity, and rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown and wasting). If you have symptoms of overdose, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Muscle relaxers can cause more serious side effects like fainting and blurred vision.

It works by allowing the muscles to relax by acting on the brain and nerve system (RELAXANT, S.M., 1981. FLEXERIL). Skeletal muscle relaxants are often prescribed for musculoskeletal conditions including low back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, tension headaches, and myofascial pain syndrome. The goals of treatment include managing muscle pain and improving functional status so the patient can return to work or resume previous activities. Research is lacking on whether or not antispasmodics are more effective in treating muscle pain and spasms than NSAIDs or acetaminophen. Antispasmodics have more side effects than NSAIDs and acetaminophen, so it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of taking these medications.

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This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system, possibly causing drowsiness). Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are using baclofen. It relieves the spasms, cramping, and tightness of muscles caused by medical problems, including multiple sclerosis or certain injuries to the spine. Baclofen does not cure these problems, but it may allow other treatment, such as physical therapy, to be more helpful in improving your condition. Other medications can also act as centrally-acting muscle relaxants, such as benzodiazepines, but they’re most commonly used as anxiolytics, sedatives, or anticonvulsants.

You may also report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA by visiting the FDA MedWatch website or calling FDA-1088. Drug information found in the drug comparisons published on RxList.com is primarily sourced from the FDA drug information. The drug comparison information found in this article does not contain any data from clinical trials with human participants or animals performed by any of the drug manufacturers comparing the drugs.

COMPARISON DATA

Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. Additionally, methocarbamol can also be administered intravenously or intramuscularly, while dantrolene can be given intravenously, and baclofen can be given intrathecally.

Although there appears to be insufficient data on metaxalone and methocarbamol, these may be useful in patients who cannot tolerate the sedative properties of cyclobenzaprine or tizanidine. The comparison between Baclofen vs. cyclobenzaprine starts at what conditions they’re known to treat. Lioresal is used for managing muscle spasticity in multiple sclerosis. This drug is an antispastic medication used primarily to treat muscle clonus, pain, rigidity, and spasm in muscles in case of multiple sclerosis.

Most healthcare professionals agree that muscle relaxants are overprescribed, especially since the risks and adverse effects outweigh the benefits in some cases (1). Baclofen is a prescription pain reliever that is used to treat pain and spasticity caused is flexeril a controlled drug by spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and other spinal cord illnesses. Baclofen works by acting on the nerves in the spinal cord, reducing the amount and intensity of muscular spasms caused by multiple sclerosis or other spinal disorders.

For Flexeril

Also known as Tizanidine, Zanaflex is used for spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. The Tizanidine vs. Baclofen 10 pill comparison shows us that the latter has fewer side effects than Lioresal but the same level of effectiveness. However, it is not a first-line choice for back muscle pain or acute neck pain. Cyclobenzaprine functions as a depressant and sedative agent for the central nervous system, specifically acting on the spinal cord and reducing muscle hyperactivity (8). Muscles are innervated (stimulated to action) by nerves from the spinal cord, and cyclobenzaprine dulls the signals sent out by these nerves. By inhibiting these signals, cyclobenzaprine reduces or even eliminates muscle spasms.