Baclofen vs Flexeril: How to Pick One for Your Back Pain Dorsal, can baclofen cause shorness or breath

TABLE 3 gives a summary of possible alternatives.17 For patients with lower back pain, it is important to understand that most pain resolves on its own and does not require medical treatment. Skeletal muscle relaxants are a sedating class can you take motrin and flexeril together of medications used to treat spasticity and pain. Their sedative properties can pose a risk for geriatric patients who are predisposed to falls. It is important for the pharmacist to assess the patient before dispensing medications.

Based on the response, the dose can be increased by 5 mg every three days to a maximum of 80 mg/day in divided doses. Chemically, baclofen is related to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a naturally occurring neurotransmitter in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that nerves use to communicate with one another.

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. There is fair evidence that cyclobenzaprine, carisoprodol, orphenadrine, and tizanidine are effective compared to placebo in patients with musculoskeletal conditions primarily acute back or neck pain. Cyclobenzaprine has been evaluated in the most clinical trials and has consistently been found to be effective.

• Side effects of baclofen that are different from Flexeril include weakness, vomiting, low blood pressure, insomnia, and seizures.
• To talk with a doctor and see if a muscle relaxant is a good solution for you, get in touch with QuickMD today.
• Drug information found in the drug comparisons published on RxList.com is primarily sourced from the FDA drug information.
• Yes, prescription muscle relaxers can make you sleepy due to how they affect your central nervous system.
• Gablofen vs. Flexeril comparison reveals in detail the similarities and differences between the two popularly prescribed muscle relaxants.

Conservative treatment, such as physical therapy, exercise, and NSAIDs, should always be the first choice for remedying muscle spasms and related pain. Most healthcare professionals agree that muscle relaxants are overprescribed, especially since the risks and adverse effects outweigh the benefits in some cases (1). Although antispastics and 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.

Prices for Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) start around $4 for a bottle of 30 tablets, strength 10 mg. To find the least expensive pharmacy near you, and to get a coupon, visit the GoodRX cyclobenzaprine page. After successful graduation from Boston University, MA, Sharon gained a Master’s degree in Public Health. Because of the similarities between the two drugs, there’s often a question of which one between Flexeril vs. Baclofen is stronger. As drug information can and will change at any time, RxList.com makes every effort to update its drug information.

What are the most-prescribed muscle relaxants?

The medications are not to be used interchangeably because they’re meant to be used for different types of treatments. Whether the patient goes for Baclofen or Flexeril depends on what they need it for. 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. If you feel that you’re dependent on carisoprodol or diazepam or your prescribed dosage isn’t helping to manage your symptoms, don’t take more than your recommended dosage.

Efficacy, acceptability, and safety of muscle relaxants for adults with … – The BMJ

Efficacy, acceptability, and safety of muscle relaxants for adults with ….

Posted: Thu, 08 Jul 2021 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The research regarding the efficacy of baclofen for the treatment of common musculoskeletal conditions, such as back pain, is limited (2, 4). One study found that patients with acute lower back pain treated with ibuprofen (NSAID) alone had similar pain and function levels to patients treated with baclofen and ibuprofen (7). Baclofen is used for treating spasm of skeletal muscles, muscle clonus, rigidity, and pain caused by disorders such as multiple sclerosis.

Comparative efficacy and safety of skeletal muscle relaxants for spasticity and musculoskeletal conditions: a systematic review

Additional potential side effects of this drug include low blood pressure, swelling, shortness of breath, and insomnia among many other reported adverse effects 2. Skeletal muscle relaxants like cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), methocarbamol (Robaxin), and carisoprodol (Soma) work well to relieve back and neck pain. Muscle relaxants like Flexeril and Baclofen can cause side effects that impair the way you think or react to situations. In some cases, this side effect could be so pronounced that you could die.

If you’re taking a prescription muscle relaxer, you shouldn’t consume alcohol. Alcohol and muscle relaxers are both depressants, which means they slow down your central nervous system. If you take them together, the side effects are much more intense, which can be dangerous.

Baclofen vs. Flexeril quick comparison of differences

Patients should discuss any potential risks and benefits of using this formulation with their healthcare provider before starting treatment. If you have any questions about this formulation or any other uses for it, please reach out to us. It is important to note that cyclobenzaprine’s steady-state plasma concentrations in elderly patients are double compared to young patients.