Robaxin vs Flexeril: Is Cyclobenzaprine Better?

ASA is reported to be linked to Reye’s Syndrome, a rare but serious illness. Treatment Management of overdose includes symptomatic and supportive treatment. Supportive measures include maintenance of an adequate airway, monitoring urinary output and vital signs, and administration of intravenous fluids if necessary.

Flexeril has also been studied to treat fibromyalgia, a chronic condition characterized by muscle pain all over the body. Those with fibromyalgia may experience widespread muscle pain as well as problems with sleep, fatigue, and mood. According to a meta-analysis of five clinical trials, cyclobenzaprine was found to improve sleep and pain in patients with fibromyalgia over a period of up to 24 weeks. The recommended starting dose of Robaxin is six grams a day for the first 48 to 72 hours of treatment. Thereafter, the dosage can usually be reduced to approximately 4 grams a day. Robaxin may interact with pyridostigmine, donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine, or tacrine.

According to the FDA, methocarbamol is contraindicated in individuals with a history of drug hypersensitivity to methocarbamol or component products. AddictionResource aims to present the most accurate, trustworthy, and up-to-date medical content to our readers. Our team does their best for our readers to help them stay informed about vital healthcare decisions. Dr. Ahmed Zayed has degrees in Medicine and Surgery and is a graduate of The University of Alexandria.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. For the relief of symptoms of moderate degree, one dose of 1 gram one 10 mL vial may be adequate. Ordinarily this injection need not be repeated, as the administration of the oral form will usually sustain the relief initiated by the injection. Care should be exercised to avoid vascular extravasation of this hypertonic solution, which may result in thrombophlebitis.

Drugs & Vitamins

Cyclobenzaprine is available in immediate-release and extended-release forms. Robaxin and Flexeril are FDA approved to treat discomfort or muscle spasms from acute musculoskeletal conditions as well as tetanus. Robaxin (methocarbamol) is a muscle relaxant used together with rest and physical therapy to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain or injury.

• The two main possible complications of taking muscle relaxers are the potential for overdose and dangerous interactions with alcohol.
• The information provided in this article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
• Generic cyclobenzaprine tablets are often covered by Medicare and insurance plans.
• On a case-by-case basis, they are used depending on which one is most appropriate.

As always, any changes to your medication regimen should be guided by your healthcare provider. Methocarbamol (the generic name for Robaxin) and Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril’s generic form) are two muscle relaxants primarily used to treat musculoskeletal pain. It is believed to work by blocking nerve impulses sent to your brain, reducing the sensation of pain. It’s often prescribed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for various acute painful muscular conditions. Robaxin (methocarbamol) and Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) are muscle relaxants used together with rest and physical therapy to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain or injury.

Robaxin vs. Flexeril

If you have muscle spasms or muscle pain and plan to take skeletal muscle relaxants, please work with your healthcare provider to find the one that works best for you. Keep in mind that along with medications for short-term alleviation of pain and discomfort, rest and physical therapy can help with long-term pain relief and function. Skeletal muscle relaxants are a sedating class 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. Short-term use of skeletal muscle relaxants may be appropriate for certain conditions but should not be used long-term, regardless of interaction.

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Patients should be cautioned that methocarbamol may cause drowsiness or dizziness, which may impair their ability to operate motor vehicles or machinery. Cyclobenzaprine is chemically related to the tricyclic class of antidepressants, for example, amitriptyline flexeril for cramps (Elavil, Endep), nortriptyline Pamelor). As such, it should not be taken with or within two weeks of any monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor, for example, isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and procarbazine (Matulane).

What are the possible drug interactions of cyclobenzaprine or methocarbamol?

On a case-by-case basis, they are used depending on which one is most appropriate. A slightly greater proportion of patients on cyclobenzaprine reported mild or absent local pain compared to methocarbamol (40% vs. 48%), but only when patients with mild baseline scores were excluded from analysis. Both drugs come in generic forms which represents significant cost savings especially for patients who must pay out-of-pocket. Both medications may require an adjustment period before noticeable improvement occurs.

Among those known to be habit-forming are Amrix, Ativan, Restoril, Soma, and Valium. It is for this reason that these drugs are generally not prescribed for longer than four weeks when used for acute musculoskeletal pain. The generic name for Robaxin is Methocarbamol and Cyclobenzaprine is the generic name of Flexeril. Robaxin and Flexeril are both effective treatments for musculoskeletal pain and muscle spasms.