Baclofen vs Flexeril: Comparing Different Muscle Relaxers

Seek immediate medical attention if you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of an overdose. Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Conservative treatment is the first line of treatment with all muscle spasm. Cyclobenzaprine may help with acute musculoskeletal pain, while baclofen may help relieve chronic pain and spasticity due to a neurological origin. Your medical history will help determine the safest medication for you. Both baclofen and cyclobenzaprine carry significant adverse effects, and you should seek professional medical advice to determine which is best for you. Be aware of contraindications and drug interactions when taking these medications. The most common side effects of baclofen are muscle weakness, confusion, vertigo, nausea, and momentary sedation or drowsiness (2, 4, 11).

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of baclofen oral liquid and granules in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may require caution for patients receiving this medicine. Chamomile is an ancient medicinal herb which is used to treat numerous ailments, including muscle spasms. Its potent effects are most likely due to its content of 36 flavonoids, compounds that have strong anti-inflammatory attributes. It is a drug with the brand name of Lioresal that belongs to two groups of drugs known as antispastics and muscle relaxants. Baclofen’s drug interactions can include prescription medications, over the counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products.

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Since both of these drugs, cyclobenzaprine vs. Baclofen, can affect how the patient’s muscles work, it is assumed that they’re strong enough to cause addictions on their own. Flexeril doesn’t have a lot of potential for misuse when taken on its own since it doesn’t provide the user with any psychoactive effects. However, there are some indications that show that it can be intentionally misused.

Lower back pain accounts for twenty percent of physician visits in the US (1). Back pain and related musculoskeletal disorders can interfere with daily routines, sleep, job performance, and your ability to enjoy your hobbies. To view a report comparing 3 (or more) medications, please sign in or create an account. As drug information can and will change at any time, RxList.com makes every effort to update its drug information. Due to the time-sensitive nature of drug information, RxList.com makes no guarantees that the information provided is the most current.

The adverse effects caused by the combination include convulsions, high fever, and even death. Flexeril interaction with alcohol, narcotics, benzodiazepines such as diazepam and lorazepam, and barbiturates can slow down the brain’s functions. When taken along with other drugs, it can cause increased suppression of brain function. Particularly taking tricyclic antidepressants with Lioresal may lead to muscle weakness. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors, if taken with Baclofen, cause lower blood pressure and marked brain function depression. While taking Lioresal, alcoholic beverages should be avoided as Gablofen causes drowsiness and dizziness, which can worsen with alcohol intake.

• Although antispastics and antispasmodics are both types of skeletal muscle relaxants, they have specific and different uses.
• The drug comparisons information provided does not cover every potential use, warning, drug interaction, side effect, or adverse or allergic reaction.
• Baclofen and Flexeril have similar side effects, for example, confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, and nausea.
• Conservative treatment is the first line of treatment with all muscle spasm.
• Baclofen does not cure these problems, but it may allow other treatment, such as physical therapy, to be more helpful in improving your condition.

However, it does not mean that people should use OTC alternatives without visiting a doctor or medical health professional. It is highly recommended not to practice self-medication and always get correct medical supervision. Also known as Carisoprodol, Soma, much like Xanax, has the potential flexeril.live for being abused and therefore should be stopped if there is a concern or a patient’s predisposition to substance abuse. Choosing Gablofen over Soma is normal as Soma offers greater side effects. Also, avoid using Soma in people over 65 and always go for better options if available.

How do you take muscle relaxers?

Lastly, they should also remember to stick to the prescription and if they notice any chance of an addiction, report it to their physician or medical health professional immediately. 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. Flexeril works best when combined with relaxation and physical therapy, and is used to treat specific injuries and pain, versus a chronic condition like multiple sclerosis. So if you severely hurt your arm or leg and are experiencing muscle spasms, your doctor may prescribe Flexeril to treat the pain. Flexeril has long lasting effects, relieves pain without impairing muscle function, and is used for short term pain relief from injuries.

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Skeletal muscle relaxants are medications that reduce muscle contraction, so they are primarily used to relieve both acute or chronic muscle spasms and spasticity. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are an OTC choice that can be used to treat muscle spasms and pain. Acetaminophen is another Gablofen OTC alternative that works well to help relieve muscle pain. Baclofen, also known as Lioresal, Liofen, or Gablofen, is a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonist and belongs to the class of drugs called skeletal muscle relaxants. There’s an oral version of it and one that can be injected directly into the spinal cord.

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Using this medicine while you are pregnant may cause neonatal withdrawal syndrome in your newborn babies. Tell your doctor right away if your baby has shakiness or tremors, seizures, or increased muscle tone. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.