Flexeril vs Methocarbamol Comparison

This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 3 Sep 2023), Cerner Multum™ (updated 28 Aug 2023), ASHP (updated 10 Aug 2023) and others. Drug monographs report neurologic adverse effects as more common, including sedation, followed by dizziness and headache. Other reported neurologic adverse effects include confusion, amnesia, falls, syncope, and diplopia. Muscle relaxants are often prescribed to treat pain caused by muscle spasms, and each medication works by a different mechanism of action.

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It has been used with limited success in the treatment of paralysis agitans, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral vascular accident (with spastic manifestations). The drug is better than placebo, but not superior to analgesics, sedatives or other muscle relaxants. It is of little value in chronic muscle spasm such as resulting from chronic arthritis or in contractures (White, 2000; Micromedex, 2003).

Coverage and cost comparison of Robaxin vs. Flexeril

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience these adverse effects. It primarily works on the brain stem and spinal cord in the CNS, which helps reduce motor activity. Flexeril is also structurally similar to tricyclic antidepressants and has similar side effects such as dry mouth and sedation.

Four popular muscle relaxants are Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine), baclofen, Robaxin (methocarbamol), and Zanaflex (tizanidine). Flexeril (a discontinued brand name in the U.S. that is still used to refer to the drug cyclobenzaprine) works at the brainstem, just below the brain, decreasing muscle activity by acting upon motor nerves. Robaxin (methocarbamol) is not fully understood, but may work on the brain and/or spinal cord. Robaxin (methocarbamol) and Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) are muscle relaxants used together with rest and physical therapy to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain or injury.

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For both medications, it’s important that patients closely monitor symptoms when starting treatment or adjusting dosage and seek medical help immediately if any severe reactions occur. Robaxin helps to manage muscle spasms by depressing the central nervous system, reducing its communication with the muscles. It does this by interrupting nerve impulses travelling from the spinal cord to the brain, so muscular tension can be reduced for longer periods of time. Nerve impulses are electrical signals that act as messengers in the body, playing an important role in sensation, movement, and thought processes among other things. It is understood that individuals with muscle spasms have excessive or inappropriate muscle contraction. Therefore, by inhibiting these contractions through disruption of nerve signalling via Robaxin use can limit negative effects of muscle spasms and help patients manage their condition and reduce discomfort.

Movements that Occur in Sleep

Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine), on the other hand, is classified as a skeletal muscle relaxant; it works primarily by acting on the central nervous system to produce its muscle relaxant effects. Skeletal muscle relaxants are a sedating class of medications used to treat spasticity and pain. Their sedative properties can pose a risk for geriatric patients who are predisposed to falls. It is important for the pharmacist to assess the patient before dispensing medications. Short-term use of skeletal muscle relaxants may be appropriate for certain conditions but should not be used long-term, regardless of interaction.

Keep in mind that regular cyclobenzaprine tablets may require dosing of up to 3 times a day. Although all skeletal muscle relaxants should be used with caution in older patients, diazepam especially should be avoided in older patients or in patients with significant cognitive or hepatic impairment. Muscle relaxants Methocarbamol vs Tizanidine are the go-tos when it comes to muscle spasm and spasticity medications.

• Skeletal muscle relaxants are prescription medications commonly used to treat muscle pain and muscle spasms.
• In this  comparison, both drugs are under the same drug class and both have the same indications – treatment for muscle pain and spasms.
• As such, it should not be taken with or within two weeks of any monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor, for example, isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and procarbazine (Matulane).
• During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed.
• The perceived strength and effectiveness of a medication can vary among individuals.

Skeletal muscle relaxants are widely used in treating musculoskeletal conditions. However, evidence of their effectiveness consists mainly of studies with poor methodologic design. In addition, these drugs have not been proven to be superior to acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for low back pain. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses support using skeletal muscle relaxants for short-term relief of acute low back pain when nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or acetaminophen are not effective or tolerated. Comparison studies have not shown one skeletal muscle relaxant to be superior to another.

Methocarbamol is produced in 500- and 750-mg tablets and has a recommended dosage range of 4000 to 4500 mg daily in 3 or 4 divided doses. For severe conditions, dosage as high as 6 to 8 g may be given for the first 48 to 72 hours. This drug is available for IV or IM injection in 10-mL single-dose vials containing 10 mg/mL. Methocarbamol tablets are also available in combination with aspirin (Robaxisal). Neither Robaxin nor Flexeril should be taken if you are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or have been using them within the past two weeks.

For most patients, the recommended dose of Flexeril is 5 mg three times a day. Based on individual patient response, the dose does flexeril make you nauseous may be increased to 10 mg three times a day. Use of Flexeril for periods longer than two or three weeks is not recommended.