Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine) Addiction: Symptoms And Treatment

Flexeril is the brand name for a prescription drug called cyclobenzaprine. Flexeril can be used to treat muscle spasms, muscle pain, and stiffness from sprains and other injuries. Flexeril is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant and muscle relaxer.

CNS depressants have a calming or relaxing effect on the body and brain, which they achieve by blocking nerve impulses. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) , together with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are responsible for determining whether drugs like Flexeril should be controlled substances.

Flexeril is not a controlled substance, but it still has the potential to be abused and to cause some devastating consequences.

Why Do People Misuse Flexeril?

Although Flexeril does not have a high potential for abuse, people might still use the drug to achieve some sort of ‘high’ or feel pleasurable effects. People abuse all sorts of CNS depressants, from benzodiazepines to opioids, mainly because they enjoy the sedative, relaxing effects.

Although Flexeril does not result in a euphoric high the same way opioids and benzos are known to, people still abuse the drug.

Ways People Misuse Flexeril

There are multiple ways to abuse Flexeril, but the two most common ways include taking high doses of the drug orally or crushing pills up and snorting them.

Pill Ingestion

Many people who abuse Flexeril do so by taking larger than recommended doses orally. Flexeril overdose is more likely to occur when people take higher doses of the drug.

Snorting Flexeril

Another common method of Flexeril drug use is to crush up the pills and snort them. Snorting puts Flexeril in the bloodstream faster than ingesting the pills.

The effects of Flexeril might be more intense when the drug is snorted rather than ingested. No matter the dose, snorting Flexeril is dangerous and increases the risk of overdose.

Read more about snorting Flexeril.

Can You Develop Tolerance To Flexeril?

Flexeril tolerance is possible, even in people who take the drug as prescribed by a doctor. Using more and more Flexeril to feel the same effects is one of the signs of substance abuse.

Flexeril tolerance is more likely to develop when people abuse the drug. Flexeril use is only safe when the drug is taken in exact accordance with medical advice.

How Much Does Flexeril Cost On The Street?

People who abuse Flexeril might try to buy the drug illegally on the street. Since there is not a very high demand for Flexeril compared with other drugs of abuse, it is relatively cheap.

Flexeril might cost between $1 and $10 per pill, depending on a number of factors including the location the drug is being sold.

Learn more about the cost of Flexeril on the street.

Signs Of A Flexeril Addiction

If you are concerned that a loved one is abusing Flexeril, you need to know what signs to look out for so you can help identify the problem.

Common signs of Flexeril abuse and addiction include:

• nausea
• dry mouth
• drowsiness
• headaches
• blurred vision
• constipation
• cravings for more of the drug
• spending a lot of time trying to get Flexeril or taking Flexeril
• skipping out on hobbies and responsibilities

Flexeril vs. Other Muscle Relaxers

Flexeril is just one of several muscle relaxers that doctors prescribe to treat pain and muscle spasms. Other common muscle relaxers include Soma (carisoprodol), Robaxin (methocarbamol), and Skelaxin (metaxalone). The main difference between Flexeril and some of these other options is that Flexeril is not a controlled substance. Soma, for example, is a Schedule IV controlled substance because it has a higher potential for abuse and can cause dependence more easily than Flexeril.

Doctors often choose Flexeril because it’s considered safer than some other muscle relaxers, especially for patients with a history of substance abuse. However, all muscle relaxers can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and other side effects. Flexeril tends to stay in the body longer than some other options, which means it only needs to be taken a few times per day.

While Flexeril may be less addictive than drugs like Soma, it can still be abused and cause serious health problems when taken in high doses or for longer than prescribed.

Combining Flexeril With Alcohol Or Other Drugs

Mixing Flexeril with alcohol or other drugs is extremely dangerous and can lead to overdose or death. Since both Flexeril and alcohol are central nervous system depressants, combining them increases the sedative effects on the body and brain. This combination can cause severe drowsiness, slowed breathing, dangerously low blood pressure, and loss of consciousness. People who mix Flexeril with alcohol are at a much higher risk of accidents, injuries, and fatal overdose.

Combining Flexeril with opioids or benzodiazepines is equally dangerous and potentially deadly. These drugs are also CNS depressants, and taking them together can cause the respiratory system to slow down or stop completely. Some people intentionally combine these substances to intensify the relaxing or sedative effects, but this practice greatly increases the risk of overdose.

Signs of overdose from mixing these drugs include extreme confusion, very slow or shallow breathing, blue-tinted lips or fingernails, and unresponsiveness. If you suspect someone has overdosed on a combination of drugs, call 911 immediately.

Will Flexeril Abuse Lead To Withdrawal?

One of the tell-tale signs of physical dependence on a drug is when someone experiences withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking the substance or significantly cut back on their use. When people abuse Flexeril, especially by taking the drug in high doses, they may experience withdrawal symptoms.

Flexeril withdrawal may include symptoms like headache, nausea, drowsiness, and a general feeling of being unwell.

Detoxing From Flexeril

Because Flexeril withdrawal can be so unpleasant, treatment options for addictions to this drug usually start with inpatient detox at a certified detox and treatment center.

Although Flexeril withdrawal is not usually life-threatening, the chances of relapse during withdrawal are high because it is very unpleasant.

Learn more about Flexeril detox.

Flexeril Drug Interactions

Flexeril is known to interact with over 300 different prescription medications. When people abuse Flexeril and take it at high doses, these drug interactions could become even more dangerous.

Certain drugs to avoid when taking Flexeril are other CNS depressants and some antidepressant medications.

Dangers Of Flexeril Addiction

Addiction to Flexeril is a serious problem that can lead to many short-term and long-term physical and mental health issues.

Major health issues that can occur because of Flexeril abuse include:

• seizures
• major body temperature changes
• flushed skin
• trouble breathing
• vomiting
• muscle stiffness

Treatment Programs For Flexeril Abuse

Treatment programs are designed to help people stop using the drug safely and learn how to stay sober long-term.

Types of Treatment and Support Available:

• Medical Detox: helps manage withdrawal symptoms in a safe, supervised environment with healthcare professionals monitoring your health
• Residential Treatment: provides 24/7 care in a structured facility where patients live for 30, 60, 90 days or longer
• Outpatient Treatment: allows people to live at home while attending therapy sessions several times per week
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): helps identify and change negative thought patterns that contribute to drug abuse
• Individual Therapy: addresses personal issues and underlying causes of addiction in one-on-one sessions
• Group Therapy: provides peer support and lets people learn from others going through similar experiences
• Family Therapy: helps repair relationships and teaches loved ones how to support recovery
• Support Groups: organizations like Narcotics Anonymous offer ongoing community and accountability after treatment
• Aftercare Planning: creates a long-term plan for staying sober, including sober living homes and regular counseling check-ins
• Co-occurring Disorder Treatment: addresses mental health conditions like depression or anxiety alongside addiction

The most effective treatment plans usually start with detox, move into more intensive therapy, and then provide ongoing support after the main program ends.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff