Inappropriate Use of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants in Geriatric Patients

Inappropriate Use of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants in Geriatric Patients

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.

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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.

Is Robaxin, Fexmid, or Amrix better?

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.

• Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed.
• Zanaflex is a brand name for Tizanidine and is also a prescription medication; hence care should be taken when using this medication as the side effects are numerous.
• Robaxin and Flexeril are FDA approved to treat discomfort or muscle spasms from acute musculoskeletal conditions as well as tetanus.
• The risk of dependence is increased when benzodiazepines are prescribed alongside opioid drugs like fentanyl.
• Nonpharmacologic therapy may be a better option in both the short term and the long term.

Thus, if you are in a higher dosage range for Robaxin (i.e., 1500 mg/day or higher), then brand-name Flexeril is less expensive on a per day treatment basis. Please note that cost should not be your primary consideration in determining which of these drugs is right for you. It is intended for general informational purposes and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your physician or dial 911.

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.

What conditions is Robaxin approved to treat?

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.

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Drugs that have CNS depressant effects include barbiturates and benzodiazepines. Because methocarbamol may possess a general CNS-depressant effect, patients should be cautioned about combined effects with alcohol and other CNS depressants. There are no adequate studies of cyclobenzaprine in pregnant women. However, studies in animals suggest no important effects on the fetus. Cyclobenzaprine therefore can be used in pregnancy if the physician feels that it is necessary. It should be avoided in nursing mothers to prevent any adverse effects to the newborn.

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.

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, is tizanidine stronger than flexeril 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.

Talk to your provider if you experience any bothersome side effects. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear vision until you can do it safely.