Cyclobenzaprine and Alcohol
What is Cyclobenzaprine?
Cyclobenzaprine is the generic name for a prescription medication that blocks nerve impulses or pain sensations going to the brain. Some of the brand names are Amrix, Comfort Pac with Cyclobenzaprine, Fexmid, and Flexeril. The drug is available in a round pill form that is taken once daily for only a few weeks. Patients are advised to avoid driving or combining cyclobenzaprine and alcohol to prevent dangerous side effects. Also, using cyclobenzaprine with other medications can cause adverse effects.
What Does Cyclobenzaprine Treat?
Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant that treats skeletal muscle pain. Typically, physicians recommend using the medication together with rest and physical therapy to help relieve muscle spasms. Anyone under the age of 15 should not use this medication.
Side Effects of Cyclobenzaprine
Individuals who have hyperthyroidism, heart rhythm disorder, or congestive heart failure should avoid cyclobenzaprine. Also, using cyclobenzaprine with other drugs can cause a condition known as serotonin syndrome. So, let your doctor know if you are using stimulants, opioids, or antidepressants before taking cyclobenzaprine.
- Allergic reactions such as hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of lips, tongue, face, or throat.
- Rapid or irregular heartbeats.
- Chest pain or pressure.
- Sudden weakness or numbness.
- Slurred speech
- Poor coordination
- Drowsiness, fatigue
- Headache, dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Constipation
Other symptoms may occur that were not included above. Contact your doctor if you are concerned about any side effects you’re experiencing.
Is Cyclobenzaprine Addictive?
- Taking higher doses than prescribed.
- Combining it with other drugs or alcohol to enhance the effects.
- Using the drug despite negative effects.
- Missing school, work, or social activities due to abusing the drug.
- Inability to quit using the drug.
- Lack of interest in personal hygiene or appearance.
- Sudden and frequent mood swings.
- Sudden weight changes.
- Problems sleeping.
- Poor coordination.
- Confusion.
- Hallucinations.
- Vision problems.
People who use cyclobenzaprine longer than the recommended two or three weeks may build a tolerance to the drug. Of course, increased tolerance means they will need higher doses to achieve the desired effect. When this happens, physical dependence develops which can lead to withdrawal symptoms if the drug is withheld.
Individuals who use cyclobenzaprine to achieve euphoria can experience floating sensations, drowsiness, and an altered state of mind. Experts agree that the dangers of taking this drug to get high are much greater than the rewards. Generally, the most common method of abuse is combining cyclobenzaprine and alcohol, barbiturates, opioids, or benzodiazepines.
Withdrawal Symptoms of Discontinuing Cyclobenzaprine
Most individuals who are dependent on cyclobenzaprine don’t realize it until they try to stop using the drug. Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms are nausea, fatigue, general malaize, and headaches.
- Muscle aches.
- Insomnia.
- Profuse sweating.
- Nausea, vomiting.
- Flu-like symptoms.
Stopping cyclobenzaprine use should be done on a gradual basis, supervised by a physician or addiction treatment program.
Dangers of Combining Cyclobenzaprine and Alcohol
The problems that arise from combining cyclobenzaprine and alcohol happen because both substances are central nervous system (CNS) depressants. Specifically, this means that the substances slow down the body’s natural processes.
Alcohol, when used alone, can slow respiration to deadly levels. Similarly, cyclobenzaprine can also cause depressed respiration. When the two substances are taken together, the potential for respiratory failure is increased significantly.
- Dizziness
- Difficulty thinking
- Drowsiness
- Physical injuries
- Accidents
Both cyclobenzaprine and alcohol have the potential to cause severe nervous system problems and mental issues. When these substances are combined, the effects can be life-threatening.
How to Stop Using Cyclobenzaprine
Cyclobenzaprine dependence or addiction can be incredibly difficult to overcome. Sudden discontinuance of the drug is not advised. Therefore, a person who wishes to quit using the drug should talk to their doctor first. A program of gradual tapering may help a person quit cyclobenzaprine without too many complications.
Of course, if the tapering program fails, the individual may need to enter a detox center or drug rehabilitation program to help them manage the withdrawal symptoms.
How A Forever Recovery Can Help
How will a drug rehab help with cyclobenzaprine addiction? First, the detox process helps you safely overcome the physical addiction to the drug. Next, the rehabilitation aspect of treatment addresses psychological or emotional addiction. Overall, the goal is to determine the underlying reasons for the addiction and help the individual learn better ways of dealing with daily life without the need for drugs or alcohol.
Contact us at A Forever Recovery to learn how our program can help you overcome cyclobenzaprine dependence or addiction.
- webmd.com – What Conditions Does Flexeril Tablet Treat?
- accessdata.fda.gov – Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine HCI)