Is Flexeril similar to Xanax?
William Rodriguez
Published Jan 17, 2026
Flexeril is a muscle relaxant and Xanax is a benzodiazepine. Side effects of Flexeril and Xanax that are similar include dry mouth, headache, blurred vision, drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue/tiredness, appetite changes, stomach pain or upset, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and muscle weakness.
What drug is equal to Flexeril?
Robaxin (methocarbamol) and Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) are examples of skeletal muscle relaxants (SMRs) that your healthcare provider may prescribe if you experience muscle pain. Both Robaxin and Flexeril work in similar ways through acting on the central nervous system (CNS).
Can Flexeril be used for anxiety?
Cyclobenzaprine should not be used for anxiety. It can cause some of the same side effects that many anti-anxiety medications do, such as drowsiness and sleepiness. But, it is not meant to be used for this purpose.
What's the difference between Xanax and cyclobenzaprine?
Cyclobenzaprine is used with rest and physical therapy for short-term relief of muscle spasms associated with acute painful muscle and skeletal conditions. Xanax is mainly used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. Brand names for cyclobenzaprine include Flexeril, Amrix, and Fexmid.
Does Xanax act like muscle relaxers?
Muscle relaxants include drugs that reduce muscle spasm (for example benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan) and non-benzodiazepines such as metaxalone (Skelaxin) or a combination of paracetamol and orphenadrine (Muscol)) and drugs that prevent increased muscle tone (baclofen ...
15 related questions foundCan I take Xanax while on Flexeril?
Interactions between your drugs
Using ALPRAZolam together with cyclobenzaprine may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination.
How does Flexeril make you feel?
Flexeril depresses the central nervous system, an effect some find desirable, which can lead to misuse. An individual might abuse Flexeril in order to feel relaxed, mildly euphoric, or sedated. Flexeril produces a variety of anticholinergic effects in high doses, altering the activity of brain neurotransmitters.
Do muscle relaxers help anxiety?
Benzodiazepines are a group of medications that can help reduce anxiety and make it easier to sleep. They are also used as a muscle relaxant, to induce sedation for surgery and other medical procedures, and in the treatment of seizures and alcohol withdrawal.
Can Flexeril help you sleep?
Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) is a medication that was originally developed to treat muscle spasms. It may also improve sleep in patients with chronic pain disorders, such as fibromyalgia.
Is cyclobenzaprine the same as Flexeril?
Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride is approved for use in the United States as a muscle relaxant. It is marketed under the brand names Flexeril® and Amrix® and as generic formulations in 5, 7.5, and 10 mg tablets intended for short-term (2 to 3 week) oral administration.
Is Flexeril an antidepressant?
Background. Cyclobenzaprine (sye" kloe ben' za preen) is a tricyclic antidepressant derivative that relaxes skeletal muscle by an unknown mechanism of action. Cyclobenzaprine is also a central nervous system depressant, and its efficacy may be related to its sedative effects.
Does Flexeril make you sleepy the next day?
Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet may cause drowsiness and dizziness. This is more likely to happen in the few hours after you take it. It can also have other side effects.
What muscle relaxer is better than Flexeril?
Zanaflex is a newer drug FDA-approved for muscle spasticity due to multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries. Flexeril is an older drug that has been more heavily studied for musculoskeletal pain and spasms. The better drug is the one that works best for your specific condition.
What is the strongest muscle relaxer for back pain?
1) Methocarbamol
Methocarbamol (Robaxin) is a well-studied medication that treats back pain. It's also inexpensive and relatively less sedating than other options.
Is Flexeril a benzo?
Flexeril and Xanax belong to different drug classes. Flexeril is a muscle relaxant and Xanax is a benzodiazepine.
What should you not take with Flexeril?
Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, metaxalone, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with this medication.
Is 10 mg of cyclobenzaprine strong?
The usual starting dose, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration, is 5 mg three times a day. The maximum recommended dose is 10 mg three times a day. Patients typically feel better within 10 days.
Is Flexeril a pain killer or muscle relaxer?
Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is a muscle relaxant. It works by blocking nerve impulses (or pain sensations) that are sent to your brain. Flexeril is used together with rest and physical therapy to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain, injury, or spasms.
What is the 3 3 3 rule for anxiety?
Follow the 3-3-3 rule.
Look around you and name three things you see. Then, name three sounds you hear. Finally, move three parts of your body — your ankle, fingers, or arm.
What is the safest anti anxiety drug?
As of this writing, some of the anxiety medications with the fewest reported side effects and least risk of side effects include:
- Most Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium)
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
- Citalopram (Celexa - SSRI)
- Paroxetine (Paxil - SSRI)
What is the first drug of choice for anxiety?
Recap. SSRIs are considered the first-line treatment for anxiety disorders and often have fewer adverse effects than other medications.
What is the most common side effect of Flexeril?
The adverse reactions reported most frequently with FLEXERIL were drowsiness, dry mouth and dizziness.
Do muscle relaxers make you feel loopy?
Muscle Relaxer Side Effects
Some of the common side effects of muscle relaxers include: Drowsiness. Dizziness. Agitation.
What is the difference between Flexeril and tramadol?
Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) and Ultram (tramadol) are used to treat back pain. Flexeril is indicated as an adjunct to rest and physical therapy for relief of muscle spasm associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions. Ultram is used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain in adults.
Can I take 2 cyclobenzaprine 10mg at the same time?
The recommended dose of immediate-release cyclobenzaprine is 5 to 10mg, three times a day, while that for extended-release versions is 15 to 30 mg, once a day. Maximum daily dose for either form is 30 mg over the course of 24 hours. Taking more than recommended may result in adverse effects or overdose.