Is Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine) A Controlled Substance/Narcotic?

Flexeril is a muscle relaxer that doctors prescribe to treat muscle spasms, back pain, and general muscle pain. The generic name for this medication is cyclobenzaprine, and it’s also sold under another brand name called Amrix.

This medication works by affecting your central nervous system to help your muscles relax. Doctors usually only prescribe Flexeril for short periods of time, typically a few weeks or less. This is because using it for too long or taking too much can lead to serious problems. When people misuse Flexeril by taking high doses, it can cause dangerous side effects. Some of these side effects can even be life-threatening, which is why doctors are careful about how they prescribe it.

Flexeril is not officially classified as a controlled substance or narcotic by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This means it’s not in the same category as drugs like opioids or other medications with high abuse potential. However, the DEA does consider it a “drug of concern.” This designation means that while it’s not strictly controlled, doctors still need to watch patients carefully when they prescribe it to make sure it’s being used safely.

Why Flexeril Is Not Considered A Narcotic

Flexeril is not considered a narcotic because it doesn’t belong to the opioid family and doesn’t work like narcotic drugs do. While opioids are highly addictive and carry serious risks, there is no solid evidence that Flexeril causes addiction in the same way. This key difference is why Flexeril is treated differently from narcotics, even though doctors still prescribe it carefully due to its potential for misuse and side effects.

Reasons Flexeril Is Not A Controlled Substance

Addiction is subjective, and although there are some people who have reported a slight addiction to Flexeril, most people do not experience an addiction to or dependence on the medication.

Flexeril is considered safe enough to not be classified as a controlled substance or a narcotic.

Which Drug Class Is Flexeril A Part Of?

Flexeril is part of the drug class of skeletal muscle relaxants, which is structurally related to a class of drugs known as tricyclic antidepressants. It is only available by prescription and is generally used alongside physical therapy in order to provide short-term pain relief. People who use Flexeril for longer periods of time for conditions like chronic pain and fibromyalgia have reported adverse effects and withdrawal symptoms when going off it.

How Flexeril Use Can Lead To Misuse

While Flexeril is not considered a controlled substance, there is evidence of its misuse due to the sedation effects and mild high that it causes. Abuse of this medication includes crushing and snorting Flexeril. Most commonly, Flexeril is abused in unison with other drugs, such as alcohol. Using Flexeril with a CNS depressant is dangerous, because each drug will only amplify the other’s dangerous side effects.

A person should never operate machinery or attempt to drive while mixing Flexeril with other drugs.

Common Side Effects Of Flexeril Misuse

The DEA labels Flexeril as a drug of concern because it can cause serious and potentially life-threatening side effects when misused. This is why doctors rarely prescribe it for more than a few weeks at a time. Understanding these risks is important for anyone taking this medication.

Potential side effects of Flexeril use include:

• drowsiness
• dizziness
• blurred vision
• dry mouth
• hallucinations
• confusion
• irregular heartbeat or palpitations
• malaise

These side effects can range from mild discomfort to serious health risks, especially when Flexeril is taken in high doses or combined with other substances. If you experience any severe symptoms like hallucinations, confusion, or heart problems while taking Flexeril, contact your doctor right away. Always follow your prescription exactly as directed to avoid these dangerous complications.

Is Flexeril Dangerous?

Flexeril is safe when used as prescribed and as directed. Flexeril becomes dangerous when it is used simultaneously with other drugs, especially other depressants such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates. These drugs can make each other’s effects stronger and can slow a person’s heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing.

Depending on the drug used with Flexeril, a person’s risk of overdose and a trip to the emergency room can be greatly increased. In rare cases, Flexeril can also cause a potentially life-threatening condition known as serotonin syndrome. This occurs when a person builds up too much serotonin in their body, usually as the result of a medication.

Find Treatment Services For Flexeril Abuse

While Flexeril addiction in itself is rare, if someone is abusing it alongside other illicit substances or prescription drugs, professional substance use treatment may be a great option.

Treatment options for substance abuse include:

• residential treatment
• day treatment
• medical detox
• individual counseling
• behavioral therapy
• medication management
• case management
• relapse prevention support

Browse our directory or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for more information about addiction recovery.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff