Skelaxin vs Flexeril – Muscle Relaxer Comparison & Side Effects

Skelaxin

It is the brand name of a drug called metaxalone that relieves pain caused by muscle sprains, injuries, and strains as well as it relaxes certain muscles.

It is not precisely known how this medication helps ease muscle spasms, nevertheless, it is known to work in the central nervous system.

Uses

This medication is used to relieve discomfort and pain caused by muscle spasms or injuries, and to relax muscles.

Dosage

The usual recommended dose is one 800 mg tablet 3 or 4 times per day taken by mouth.

Side Effects And Precautions Of Metaxalone

Common side effects may include:

  • upset stomach;
  • headaches;
  • vomiting;
  • feeling irritable;
  • nausea;
  • drowsiness;
  • dizziness.

Rare side effects may include:

  • a feeling like you might pass out;
  • loss of appetite;
  • shallow breathing;
  • upper stomach pain;
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes;
  • weakness;
  • confusion;
  • fever;
  • dark-colored urine;
  • yellowed skin.

To be sure that this medicine is safe for you, tell your healthcare professional if you:

  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed since this medicine may pass into breast milk;
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant since there are no conclusive clinical studies regarding the safe use of this medicine during pregnancy;
  • have a blood disorder;
  • have liver disease;
  • have or have ever had kidney disease;
  • take vitamins or supplements;
  • take pain medicines;
  • take drugs for seizures, colds, allergies, or coughs;
  • have an allergy to any type of medication.

Alcohol

Because dangerous side effects can occur when alcohol is combined with this medication, do not intake alcoholic beverages while using this medication.

Drug Interactions

  • Cymbalta;
  • clonazepam;
  • Celebrex;
  • Benadryl;
  • Ativan;
  • Ambien;
  • Aleve;
  • Advil.

Flexeril

It is the brand name of a drug called cyclobenzaprine, a central nervous system (CNS) depressant and a skeletal muscle relaxant.

This medication acts on the locus coeruleus (the main site for brain synthesis of norepinephrine) that is involved with physiological responses to panic and stress.

Uses

It is typically used to relieve stiffness, pain, and discomfort caused by sprains, strains, or injuries to the muscles. In addition, it helps relax certain muscles in the human body.

Note – this medication is prescribed to be used as part of recovery. Hence, the typical sufferer only uses this medication for 14 to 21 days. This should be enough time to allow any muscle damage or injury to heal.

Dosage

The usual recommended dose is 15 or 30 mg once a day using extended-release tablets or 5 or 10 mg three times a day using immediate-release tablets.

Note – seniors and people who suffer from hepatic impairment may need to restrict their dosing of this medication to ensure that it can be eliminated from the body effectively.

Side Effects And Precautions

Common side effects may include:

  • confusion;
  • nervousness;
  • blurred vision;
  • unpleasant taste;
  • heartburn;
  • constipation;
  • weakness;
  • fatigue;
  • dizziness;
  • dry mouth;
  • drowsiness.

Rare side effects may include:

  • ringing in the ears;
  • insomnia (sleep problems);
  • tremors;
  • loss of taste;
  • increased sweating;
  • spinning sensation;
  • coordination problems;
  • diarrhea;
  • loss of appetite;
  • flushing;
  • a general ill feeling;
  • double vision.

Do not take this drug if you:

  • have heart block or conduction disturbances;
  • have congestive heart failure (which means that the heart can’t pump enough blood);
  • have an overactive thyroid gland;
  • have abnormal heart rhythms;
  • are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors, like – tranylcypromine pr phenelzine or have taken them in the past 2 weeks;
  • are in the acute recovery phase after a heart attack;
  • are allergic to any ingredients of this medicine.

Overdose

If you overdose on this medication, you may experience the following symptoms:

  • vomiting;
  • unusual muscle stiffness;
  • unstable temperature;
  • tiredness;
  • seizure;
  • heart palpitations;
  • hallucination;
  • flushed skin;
  • restlessness;
  • extreme nervousness;
  • breathing difficulty.

If you experience these symptoms, you should immediately call for emergency medical attention.

Alcohol

You should avoid the use of alcohol while being treated with this medication since it can increase the chance of side effects, like – drowsiness, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.

Skelaxin vs Flexeril – Comparison

Skelaxin (active ingredient – metaxalone) is a muscle relaxant that is used to relieve pain caused by sprains, strains, and other musculoskeletal conditions and to relax muscles. The drug’s mechanisms and efficiency are not well documented.

Flexeril (active ingredient – cyclobenzaprine) is a muscle relaxer medication that is used to relieve associated pain in acute musculoskeletal conditions and skeletal muscle spasms. Its efficiency may have something to do with the sedative quality of the drug. However, it is not clearly effective in people with fibromyalgia.

Both medications have plenty of side effects. In addition, using these medications together may increase the risk of side effects, like – difficulty concentrating, drowsiness, and dizziness.

6 Home Remedies For Muscle Pain 

#1 Apple Cider Vinegar

ACV is a good remedy to soothe away muscle pain since it has potent alkalizing and anti-inflammatory attributes which help reduce inflammation and pain.

#2 Epsom Salts

Because the magnesium in the solution that can be absorbed through the skin, a hot bath with Epsom salts is effective in improving muscle function.

Note – use 1 or 2 cups of Epsom salts, depending on the severity of your condition.

#3 Turmeric

This spice works as a potent anti-inflammatory and painkiller agent. To use it, combine 1 tsp of turmeric powder in one cup of water with 1 tsp of sugar. Drink this once per day.

#4 Healthy Sleep Patterns

Muscle pain and soreness are caused by tears in the muscles. These tears need time to heal and a good sleep since during sleep, the body produces higher levels of growth hormone, helping to rebuild the muscles.

Aim for 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night.

#5 Water

The body loses a lot of water when you practice any type of physical exercise. Therefore, it is essential to replace the fluid which you lost. Also, when water is low, toxins are not so easily removed or processed by the human body and they can start recycling in the blood.

#6 Magnesium Rich-Foods

A magnesium deficiency is a common cause of muscle cramps, including leg cramps.

Include foods high in magnesium in your regular diet, like – walnuts, sesame seeds, wild rice, red kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas, almonds, kale, spinach, oats, oat bran, quinoa, and sweet potatoes.

Image credit – Shutterstock

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