Robaxin vs Flexeril: Is Cyclobenzaprine Better?

Selection of a skeletal muscle relaxant should be individualized to the patient. If there are tender spots over the muscle or trigger points on physical examination, a skeletal muscle relaxant is a reasonable adjunct to analgesic treatment of low back pain. Skeletal muscle relaxants may also be used as an alternative to NSAIDs in patients who are at risk of gastrointestinal or renal complications. Robaxin and Flexeril are effective treatments for treating musculoskeletal pain and muscle spasms.

Nonpharmacologic education on fall prevention is essential in patients being given skeletal muscle relaxants, regardless of duration of therapy. Not only will appropriate use of skeletal muscle relaxants improve patient outcomes, it can also improve star ratings for both insurance providers and pharmacies. If you have muscle spasms or muscle pain and plan to take skeletal muscle relaxants, please work with your healthcare provider to find the one that works best for you.

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Generic cyclobenzaprine tablets are often covered by Medicare and insurance plans. If you don’t have insurance, you can use a SingleCare discount card to cut this cost to less than $8 depending on your pharmacy. Even if you do have insurance, it may be a good idea to find out if you can get a cheaper price on muscle relaxants. Robaxin or Flexeril are usually prescribed to treat musculoskeletal pain such as neck pain. Both drugs are also often used to treat low back pain, a common problem in adults in the US. Up to 80% of adults experience low back pain at some point in their lives.

Treatment Programs

This medication works by blocking nerve impulses that are sent to the brain. 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 is flexeril or methocarbamol stronger 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.

• On the other hand, if the patient is seeking short-term treatment for painful muscle spasms only, Skelaxin may be considered.
• Methocarbamol typically needs to be taken up to 4 times a day, whereas cyclobenzaprine extended-release capsules offer the convenience of once-a-day dosing.
• To conclude in an nutshell Flexeril the brand of Cyclobenzaprine is more effective compared to Robaxin the brand for Methocarbamol.
• Methocarbamol, in its generic form as well as brand names such as Robaxin, was estimated to have been prescribed to about 3.5 million people in the US in 2020.
• Muscle relaxants are some of the most commonly prescribed medications to treat back pain and other strains or sprains.
• Not only will appropriate use of skeletal muscle relaxants improve patient outcomes, it can also improve star ratings for both insurance providers and pharmacies.

However, it’s crucial to note that an increase in dosage should only be considered if there is no significant improvement in muscle spasms and discomfort after two weeks of treatment at the initial lower dose. As always, any changes to your medication regimen should be guided by your healthcare provider. In comparison trials, no single skeletal muscle relaxant has been proven to be superior to another muscle relaxant. The most widely studied agent is cyclobenzaprine, with demonstrated efficacy for various musculoskeletal conditions, but with significant sedation. The recommended monitoring of methocarbamol is to evaluate the clinical response and mitigate risk for the emergence of adverse effects. There is no need to check blood chemistry in follow-up, nor blood levels of the drug.

If the patient is seeking long-term treatment, together with physical therapy and rest, Robaxin is preferred. On the other hand, if the patient is seeking short-term treatment for painful muscle spasms only, Skelaxin may be considered. Flexeril is one of the most studied muscle relaxants; thus, it has more supporting evidence for its effectiveness. In a systematic review, it was found that, in general, muscle relaxants are comparable in effectiveness. This review included other muscle relaxants such as metaxalone, baclofen, tizanidine, orphenadrine, and chlorzoxazone.

Side Effects and Precautions

For those considering the better option between Robaxin vs Baclofen, the former is used mainly for spasticity, as a regimen for individuals suffering from a spinal injury. Also, while Robaxin side effects are mainly sedation and fetal risk, that of Baclofen is quite extensive. On the other hand, methocarbamol works by depressing nerve signals in the spinal cord and brain, promoting muscle relaxation. It is also commonly prescribed for muscle spasms and effectively relieves muscle tension.

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Abrupt discontinuation of these drugs after long-term use can cause withdrawal symptoms. These medications should only be used under the supervision of a doctor or healthcare provider. In a head-to-head trial between methocarbamol and cyclobenzaprine, there was no significant difference in muscle spasms or tenderness. However, patients experienced slightly better improvements in local pain with cyclobenzaprine (48% vs. 40%). Cyclobenzaprine was also found to produce more somnolence or drowsiness (58% vs. 10%).

The atracurium group of 27 patients (93.1%) suffered from mild fasciculation and 2 (6.9%) from moderate fasciculation. The methocarbamol group of 20 patients (68.9%) suffered from mild fasciculation, 5 (17.2%) from moderate fasciculation, and 4 (13.9%) from severe fasciculation. Atracurium is more effective than methocarbamol in decreasing the occurrence and severity of succinylcholine-induced fasciculations [4c]. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is not recommended during treatment with this muscle relaxant due to the increased risk of drowsiness, dizziness, and difficulty in concentration. It can be found under the following brand names – Robaxin, Carbacot,Robaxin-750, or Skelex. Ultimately, the effectiveness of Cyclobenzaprine or Methocarbamol can vary from person to person.

Can We Consume Alcohol With Robaxin Or Flexeril?

Our main objective is to spread scientifically backed information to the users visiting our website without promoting a specific brand or product. Differences, comparison specifications of medicine creates an awareness regarding the best choices for pain relief. The differences lie in their active ingredient, price, area of most effect and others. Muscle relaxers may be used for fibromyalgia in patients with significant stiffness. Cyclobenzaprine can improve mood and pain symptoms in addition to its improvement of stiffness.