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Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine) - Reviews, Ratings, Comments by Patients

 
 



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Below are Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine) reviews, ratings, comments submitted by patients and caregivers. Based on a total of 25 ratings/reviews, Flexeril has an overall score of 7.56. The effectiveness score is 8.08 and the side effect score is 6.80. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst. This information is not vetted and should not be cosidered as clinical evidence.
 

Flexeril review by 23 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   muscle spasms (upper back/neck)
Dosage & duration:   10 mg taken 1-2 times per day as needed for the period of 3 years
Other conditions:   allergies
Other drugs taken:   Allegra-D
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Quick and lasting relief of back and neck pain and muscle spasms. The effects are felt after about 1 hour, and full effects are felt after 1 1/2 hours, and about 80% of the pain and tension are relieved for about 4-6 hours. If stretching of the muscles is done while on the medicine, the pain and tension are greatly reduced for longer than the 4-6 hours. If the medicine is taken before bed, morning pain and tension are reduced about 50%.
Side effects:   Drowsiness (moreso when already tired). If the medicine is taken after 8-10 hours of sleep the drowsiness is manageable. If the medicine is taken after not much sleep, the drowsiness interferes with functioning.
Comments:   The medicine is taken once per day at night, about 2 hours before bed. Once the medicine fully kicks in (after about 1 1/2 hours), special stretches are done. Stretching along with the medicine provides about 90% relief from pain and tension, and the relief lasts longer than medicine alone. The medicine is also taken as when pain and tension are worse than average.

 

Flexeril review by 39 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Muscle spasms
Dosage & duration:   relaxes muscles (dosage frequency: once to twice a day) for the period of 5 years
Other conditions:   Fibromyalgia
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I am able to get good restful sleep and that is so important in my pain management.
Side effects:   Sever tiredness, not able to leave the house after taking the medicine.
Comments:   Pain management, I take one to two pills a day as needed.

 

Flexeril review by 39 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Restless Sleep
Dosage & duration:   10mg taken 1 at bedtime for the period of As needed for a Month
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   None
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Much more relaxed evenings and better sleep. Was able to sleep through the night. Woke in mornings without back aches and pains. Flexeril was effective as a muscle relaxant.
Side effects:   Very sedated feeling the next morning. Found it very dificult to approach the next day with any vigor. Additionally there was a feeling of nervousness or anxiety associated with taking this medication.
Comments:   One dose nightly as needed for sleep. No other medications or supplements were used.

 

Flexeril review by 22 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Moderately Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Chronic musculoskeletal pain (neck/back)
Dosage & duration:   10mg taken x1/day for the period of 6 months
Other conditions:   Degenerative disc disease
Other drugs taken:   Tramadol, Lexapro
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Some pain relief, only significant benefit was during severe breakthrough pain and/or muscle spasms. Excellent sleep aid.
Side effects:   Marked drowsiness. Mild intoxicated/sedated type feeling.
Comments:   Provided pain relief but only during times of severe pain or spasm. Made me very drowsy; if I had to take it during the day I would break the tablet in half and take 5mg instead. This still provided a significant amount of relief with less drowsiness. Worked great as a sleep aid; not only did it knock me out but it also promotes proper sleep stage patterns that SSRI antidepressants disrupt. Has a noticeable hangover effect in the morning however.

 

Flexeril review by 62 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   sever muscle spasms lower back
Dosage & duration:   .5mg taken once before bedtime for the period of on and off for over a year
Other conditions:   Fibromyalgia, Facet Joints
Other drugs taken:   Zantac , Armour Thyroid, Ativan
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   It greatly reduced the pain in the lower back and upper thigh muscles.It reduced the amount of spasms I was having in my lower back. I could not function as well if I did not take it.
Side effects:   Increased heart rate. Headaches, feeling very out of it. affected my memory.I also had VERY bad nightmares. Upset my stomach after taking it for a month.
Comments:   I was to take it at bedtime to help my sleep due to the pain and spasms in my lower back and upper thigh muscles. I could only take.5mg or it made me too sleepy during the day.

 

Flexeril review by 59 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   headaches
Dosage & duration:   10 mg taken once per day, at bedtime for the period of one day
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   prometrium, estrogen patch (Climara)
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I had morning-to-night headaches for two weeks prior to taking the medication. My doctor ascertained that these were most likely tension headaches. The morning after taking the first dose, I had no headache, and I remained headache-free for 2 days. Now, on the third day, the headache is returning, so I plan to take another dose tonight.
Side effects:   All day on the day after taking the medication, I had symptoms that resembled low blood sugar. I was very jittery after a small amount of caffeine (less than I normally drink). All day I had this unpleasant effect. But it was not as bad as having a headache all day.
Comments:   Take 1 tablet at bedtime, if needed, for headache.

 

Flexeril review by 51 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Moderately Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   muscle stiffness
Dosage & duration:   10 mg every 12 hrs. taken i took it everyday for 2 years. for the period of i've been taking it for 2 1/2 years.
Other conditions:   as of 2008 severe rheumatoid arthritis in the joints/muscles. in 2001 it was lupus. they diagnosed.
Other drugs taken:   vicodin 750mg. buspar 5mg. 7.5mg. zantac 150mg. motrin 800mg.elavil 10mg. 25mg. 50mg. flexeril 10mg.
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   the benefits aren't that great but i do get some kind of relief. i am in pain everyday all day.
Side effects:   i really could not tell from the many aches and pain i have everyday.
Comments:   there really are no treatments but medications. i also go to the foot doctor, to have callouses removed every two weeks caused from arthritis. three drs. have told me i'm walking on the bones in my feet instead of the soles and to forget about working.

 

Flexeril review by 21 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   headaches
Dosage & duration:   1x day (dosage frequency: 3 days) for the period of 3 days ago
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Had a lot of headaches all day every day. Doctor said it was tension headaches made by a muscle spasm in my neck. She prescribe this medicine and the headaches are hardly there.
Side effects:   In the mornings I didn't want to get up from school at all. This medicine is strong. I got up at 6 am and reach class at 8 and it was still knocking me out in class. Was soo embarrase. Mind you I took the medicine at 10 30pm the night before.
Comments:   The treatment is going well.

 

Flexeril review by 23 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Migaine/Tension Headches
Dosage & duration:   10mg taken three times a day as needed for the period of 1week
Other conditions:   Mental Illness, High Blood Pressure
Other drugs taken:   Lamictal, Ativan, Lexapro, Trazodone, Risperdal, Seroquel, Coreg, Verapamil, Albuterol, Motrin 800
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Well, I started on Flexeril about five days to a week ago. I felt a calm feeling and also it kind of helped my anxiety. It helped my headches a lot.
Side effects:   I did have one side effects that was annoying: restless legs. It made me a little drowsy.
Comments:   I have been taking different narcotic painkillers for years, and I just reached a point that there were too many side effects so I decided to talk to my doctor. He took me off the painkillers and tried a few muscle relaxers such as: Robaxin and Norflex-they did not work at all. I started on Motrin 800 and Flexeril, Flexeril is helping me a lot and I would definately recommend it to others

 

Flexeril review by 23 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Migraine/Tension Headaches/Sleep
Dosage & duration:   10mg taken three times a day as needed for the period of currently taking it, have been on it for
Other conditions:   Mental Illness, Headaches, High Blood Pressure
Other drugs taken:   Ativan, Risperdal, Lexapro, Trazodone, Lamictal, Seroquel, Coreg, Verapamil, Albuterol
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Well, It made me relaxed during the day, and sometimes be able to be calm. It helped my headaches a lot. I would rate it as a 9 or 10. I would recommend this drug definately!
Side effects:   Dry mouth and sometimes restless legs.
Comments:   I was to take 10mg three times a day for headaches as needed. My doctor said if it works, I can stay on it. I recently decided to get off narcotics and this is a good medicine to take.

 

Flexeril review by 32 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Moderately Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   back pain
Dosage & duration:   1 pill taken 1 every 8 hours for the period of 1 day
Other conditions:   Fever, muscle ache
Other drugs taken:   Advil
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Seemed to numb me up and help for sleeping without discomfort while sleeping. Still woke up a couple times with some achey-ness.
Side effects:   Woke up EXTREMELY SORE! MAJOR BODY ACHE - almost worse than before taking the 1st pill. In serious pain, trying to pump advil to get soreness gone, not sure if I had a bad experience with this or not
Comments:   Doctor prescribed 1 Pill every 8 hours. I've taken only 1 so far, as I woke up this morning with extreme discomfort as described above.

 

Flexeril review by 42 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   No Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   muscle spasm
Dosage & duration:   10mg taken 3x daily as needed for the period of approx two months
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   A muscle in my neck was pinching a nerve such that if i turned my head or lay on that side my arm would instantly start to tingle and my hand fall asleep. The Flexeril was effective in relaxing my muscles enough to make this merely a slight sensation within about twenty minutes, and over aperiod of one two two months the problem went away entirely.
Side effects:   I do not feel that I experienced any truly negative side effects or have any adverse reactions to the Flexeril. If I was tired, the muscle relaxing effect would end up making me sleepy, and if I took it right before going to sleep it might be a little harder to wake up in the morning. But, to me it seems like that just meant it was doing what it was intended to do.
Comments:   I was prescribed Flexeril (10mg) for a muscle spasm in my neck that was pinching a nerve to my right arm. I took the ten miligrams of Flexeril three times a day for about a month as needed as it was prescribed. Then, as the symptoms lessened to the point where they only bothered me on and off, I took the ten miligrams only once or twice a day depending on how my neck felt for about another month, and finally, during the next month, I only took it when I started to feel like the symptoms might be coming back, which was maybe once or twice a week. Since then, I have not experienced any symptoms, and it has been over a year.

 

Flexeril review by 43 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   neck pain
Dosage & duration:   5mg taken as needed for the period of 2 years
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   ibruprofen
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   able to function at job and sleep with neck pain. Addressed tension and inflammation issues that allowed me to be able to use my arms freely and to also be able to lay on my neck at night to be able to sleep.
Side effects:   sleepy
Comments:   used to eliviate neck pain to be able to function at work

 

Flexeril review by 46 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   back pain
Dosage & duration:   1 pill taken every 6-8 hrs for the period of about a week
Other conditions:   nothing else
Other drugs taken:   nothing else
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I had very bad lower back pain with spasms and considerable swelling on my left side, to the extend that when standing, I was leaning to my right. Flexeril took care of most of the pain and much of the swelling.
Side effects:   I felt much less alert -- not tired or sleepy, exactly, but sort of like inebriated, but without the buzz.
Comments:   Once the swelling and discomfort were at a manageable level, I saw a chiropractor. Although his ultrasound treatments weren't particularly effective, I greatly value the information he gave me relating to how I should sit, lie, stand, helpful exercises, etc.

 

Flexeril review by 47 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   back spasm/pain
Dosage & duration:   10 mg taken once for the period of once
Other conditions:   I was given the medication for back spasms and pain after a pulled muscle.
Other drugs taken:   Toprol xl 50 mg
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   It helped with the muscle pain for most of the day.
Side effects:   I was unable to function for the majority of the day it got worse as the day went on. I felt like someone had drugged me. I slept but would feel like I was awake but paralyzed. My speech was slurred and could hardly move. This was all 8 hours into taking the medication. I had not taken a muscle relaxer for about 10 years and now I know why!
Comments:   I was to take the medicine 1 tablet three times a day.

 

Flexeril review by 48 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   insomnia, and arthrtis
Dosage & duration:   .5 miligrams (dosage frequency: 1-3 times a week) for the period of 1 year, and still taking it
Other conditions:   some anxiety
Other drugs taken:   vitamins, St Johns Wort, Glucosamine Complex,
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Relaxed me and eased arthritis pain so I could sleep.
Side effects:   At times would waken feeling slow. This would go away a 1-2 hours after waking. If taken more then 2-3 times a week it was less effective unless dose was increased.
Comments:   Regulated sleep by only allowing 6 hrs of sleep a night. Every 1-2 weeks added 20 minutes to sleep time until optimal 7 hours was reached. On nights when arthritis or stress will keep me awake, I take .5 miligrams one hour before bedtime. Currently I only need it once a week.

 

Flexeril review by 28 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   No Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Muslce inflammation
Dosage & duration:   10 mg taken 10 mg at night, 5 mg during day for the period of One week
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   Relafen, bactrim, tramadol
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I was taking Flexeril for muscle inflammation in my ribs caused by sever coughing from bronchitis. It helped with the pain a lot and helped me sleep through the night.
Side effects:   I didn't experience any side effects. It did make me tired but I expected that. I did feel a bit hung over the next day like you would if you took tylenol pm or similar. I'd recommend taking it when you know you have 8-10 hours to sleep.
Comments:   Flexeril has been highly effective for my pain.

 

Flexeril review by 48 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   inflamed neck muscles
Dosage & duration:   10 mg. taken every night. for the period of Two weeks.
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   An anti inflmatory drug.
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   It helped by tight neck muscles relax so when I woke up, they didn't hurt.
Side effects:   Made me groggy the next morning.
Comments:   I had slept wrong one night and caused major inflamation in my neck muscles. Nothing helped; massage, Tylenol, etc. This did work. It allowed me to sleep without pain and eventually my neck just healed itself.

 

Flexeril review by 28 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Muscle spasm/neck and upper back pain
Dosage & duration:   10mg 3x a day taken 2 x a day for the period of 2 months
Other conditions:   3 bulging disc (c4-5/t3-4/t6-7
Other drugs taken:   celexa. viocodin
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   It allowed me to relax and sleep. My neck and back pain subsided a little. It made me forget most of my pain.
Side effects:   drowsy when i first woke up but once i got moving around it went away
Comments:   The doctor had me take flexeril 3 times a day but i started out with 1 at bedtime for 2 1/2 weeks. It took 2 weeks to work but after i started taking it 3 times a day at it worked faster. It helps to stretch also while you take flexeril.

 

Flexeril review by 30 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Moderately Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   tension headaches, upper/lower back pain, neck pai
Dosage & duration:   5mg taken 1 per day for the period of 2 weeks
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   xanax, tylenol
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   To relax the muscles
Side effects:   major headaches 20-30 mins after taking it.
Comments:   After i take the medication in 20-30 mins i get alot if headaches, from the neck all the way up to the front of my head. But after the drug really sets in the pain goes away. i hope this changes and just relaxes the body without the headaches, i have to take it for two week and i'm on my seccond day.

 

Flexeril review by 27 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Tension in jaw and Bruxism (grinding of teeth)
Dosage & duration:   5mg - before bedtime taken bedtime (6-8 hours before waking) for the period of 1 week
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   Adderall 10 1/2mg, Maxalt 5mg (take for migraines) and Albuteral Sulfate (only when needed)
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I woke up with a more relaxed jaw. I have bruxism which is the medical term for the grinding of teeth or the clenching of jaws. So if I have alot of tension in my jaw before I go to bed I will grind my teeth which will lead to migraines. Taking Cyclobenzaprine(Flexeril) before I go to bed helps me avoid waking up in pain due to Bruxism.
Side effects:   I have only had one side effect due to mixing Cyclobenzaprine(Flexeril) with Maxalt which lead to being fatigue and drowsiness.
Comments:   It has been only 1 week of taking Cyclobenzaprine so I may experience different side effects the more I take it. So far this medication has worked for me. I did notice one very positive benefit from taking this medication this 1 week. I started this medication around the same time I start to get PMS symptoms "Mainly very moody and argumentative" and I'm amazed how Cyclobenzaprine effected my PMS symptoms. I have absolutely been the most pleasant person to be around. It feels great to be myself and not angry at everything.

 

Flexeril review by 48 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Inflamed neck muscles
Dosage & duration:   Ten mg. taken once a day at bedtime for the period of Two weeks
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   An anti inflamatory drug
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   This muscle relaxer allowed me to sleep at night and wake up without a stiff neck. I was not in pain any longer at night.
Side effects:   It made me groggy in the morning. After a few days this side effect seemed to go away.
Comments:   I had tweaked my neck muscles and was in a lot of pain. This helped me relax so the inflamed muscles could heal. To my surprise, it actually worked. I would definitely use it again.

 

Flexeril review by 39 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Marginally Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Upper back / left shoulder and neck pain
Dosage & duration:   10 mg taken qd hs for the period of 5 nights so far
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   Motrin 800 mg QID
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Not sure if it is effective or not. Pain is gone in the morning but steadily increases as the day progresses. I am virtually unable to function by evening. I think I may ask my physician to prescribe an additional 5mg to be taken in the afternoon to see if that prevents the pain rebound in the afternoon.
Side effects:   Slight grogginess in the AM.
Comments:   Starting PT in 2 days. Currently on Flexeril QD HS x 5 days.

 

Flexeril review by 51 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   muscle spasms
Dosage & duration:   10mg taken 1 per day for the period of 7 days
Other conditions:   High blood pressure
Other drugs taken:   hydrocodon-acetaminophen
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Muscle relaxation took about 2 days to be effective. Pain reliever was effective in numbing the sensation initially, but after 2 days relief was found. 4 days was far better and 6-7 stopped taking every day.
Side effects:   Drowsiness was an issue, but this did improve the sleep time which reduced stress and allowed blood pressure to lower. I do not like to take medicine, but I can see how easy it is to rely on these to feel relaxed and numb! It is frightening when I hear about people taking these every night and not think about treating underlying cause of muscle tension.
Comments:   The two medicines were used in tandem to offset the excrutiating pain in neck and shoulders due to muscles spasms. Chiropractic care was also used, but the pain was equivalent to childbirth contractions and after two days of no sleep and increased stress, medicine was sought. The medicine took another two days to offer relief that allowed sleep, but after 4 days the muscles were relaxed. Chiropactic care continued and yoga was restarted to resolve the underlying problems. After 6-7 days medication was stopped. 1 night of the following week required medication, but since, none needed.

 

Flexeril review by 54 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Moderately Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   muscle spasms
Dosage & duration:   5mg taken once a day for the period of from a couple of weeks to several months
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   helped with muscle spasms in my hips. Helped reduce pain from the spasms - particularly good when driving or sitting for a long time.
Side effects:   some dry mouth, made me sleepy. When taking it on a daily basis for a number of months, I found that it was actually making me depressed, and causing other some cognitive recall problems, so I stopped taking it. As a medical doctor said, it's not a "clean" drug
Comments:   I was told to take it PRN - in other words on an "as needed basis" - which given that I have a type of hip dysplasia, was fairly often.
 


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