by Jennifer Kirkman

Created on: April 09, 2010

Flexeril is a drug prescribed for spasms of the muscles, pain in the muscles, and treats muscular rheumatism which causes muscles to be stiff and inflexible. The drug is usually prescribed for those people who have severe muscle spasm problems. Along with this drug is usually a program of physical therapy and rest. This drug doesn't work for spinal cord injury types. In order for Flexeril to reach its peak of effectiveness, it can take up to 14 days before the person taking it notices a difference.

If you are taking any MAOI inhibitor drugs, these drugs will need to be stopped properly before therapy with Flexeril. MAOI drugs and muscle relaxants like Flexeril can cause some very serious and even potentially dangerous life threatening effects. Other dangers when combined with Flexeril are a previous heart attack, heart failure, hyperthyroidism, or a condition known as heart block. Your doctor should have all of your previous medical conditions noted before prescribing this medication at all. Your doctor should have also taken note of any liver disease, urination problems, glaucoma, or prostate problems. These conditions may make it unsafe to take this drug. Your doctor will need to correctly discern whether or not it is safe for you by running tests.

The effects that Flexeril may have on a pregnancy are not exactly known. The same holds true for breastfeeding a baby. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or currently pregnant before taking Flexeril.

Flexeril is best taken with a glass of water. Do not take more or less of this medicine than your doctor has prescribed for you. This is true of all prescribed medications. Never double up on a dosage if you have missed a scheduled dose.

Flexeril causes great fatigue in some people and for this reason, care must be taken when driving a car or operating other forms of machinery. Decreased judgment ability has been reported when using this drug along with extreme drowsiness.

Other side effects which are serious from Flexeril, are heart beat that is racing, intense headache or a feeling of bad weakness, numbness to one side of your body, chest pains, confusion, and lack or balance. These side effects need reporting right away to your doctor. The less serious side effects are thirst, constipation, nausea, and no appetite. If any of those effects are bothersome, you should also report them to the doctor.

 

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