Zanaflex vs Norflex Prescription Treatment for Muscle Pain: Differences & Side Effects
Zanaflex vs Norflex Prescription Treatment for Muscle Pain: Differences & Side Effects
Cyclobenzaprine, under the brand name Flexeril among others, was estimated to have been prescribed to about 16 million people in the US in 2020. Cyclobenzaprine accounted for just over 22% of muscle relaxant prescriptions in the US. Although it is not classified as a narcotic or an opioid, cyclobenzaprine has been generally increasing in prevalence since its approval by FDA. Thus, if you are taking the standard dosage for Flexeril (i.e., 10 mg three times per day), then brand-name Norflex is less expensive on a per-day treatment basis.
They can be used “on demand” when acute pain strikes but are generally not the drugs of choice for chronic musculoskeletal pain. While they all have similar mechanisms of action (in that they directly act on the central nervous system), they have different chemical structures and indications for use. Some have stronger sedative effects than others, while others are used to treat specific medical conditions (for example, injuries or diseases of the spinal cord). It is usually used along with rest, physical therapy, and other treatment.
- Although most of the side effects listed below don’t happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
- Muscle spasticity occurs when skeletal muscles contract involuntarily and cannot relax.
- Many medicines and recreational drugs can affect a man’s sexual arousal and sexual performance.
- Orphenadrine should be used during pregnancy and lactation only if the benefit justifies the potential perinatal risk.
- This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only.
Muscle spasticity occurs when skeletal muscles contract involuntarily and cannot relax. The symptoms can range from mild discomfort to intense, severe pain. Ketamine HCl is an anesthetic that works by blocking pain signals from reaching the brain. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant that helps reduce nerve pain and inflammation. Orphenadrine citrate is a muscle relaxant that helps reduce muscle spasms and pain.
Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. A review indicated that cyclobenzaprine is effective from the first week of treatment, that its side effect profile is relatively mild compared to many other muscle relaxants, and it is generally well-tolerated. Its optimal dose for most adults is 5-10 mg taken three times daily. Furthermore, muscle relaxers are usually not used for the primary treatment of pain. More often, they are prescribed when other more conservative treatments, like over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), fail to provide relief.
How should I use this medication?
An open label trial in 10 patients with segmental and generalized dystonia showed no evidence of efficacy (Hering etal., 2008). 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. None of the different metrics studied to measure efficacy differed considerably between patients receiving Norflex and those receiving Flexeril.
A Review of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants For Pain Management – PracticalPainManagement.com
A Review of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants For Pain Management.
Posted: Sun, 18 Dec 2016 01:14:36 GMT [source]
However, other drugs may work better for neck and back pain than muscle relaxants. The first line of treatment for muscle spasms and muscle pain is over-the-counter medications like Tylenol (acetaminophen) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, naproxen). Muscle relaxants do carry side effects just like any other medications. Dizziness is one of the common side effects caused by muscle relaxants. Some people find that taking an OTC pain reliever and muscle relaxant together provides maximum benefit, especially at night, to help with sleep problems and reduce daytime drowsiness.
Cyclobenzaprine, Orphenadrine and Tizanidine
Side effects include drowsiness, N/V, dry mouth, aplastic anemia, light-headedness, and headache. An interaction between two medications does not 022 flexeril always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Efficacy, acceptability, and safety of muscle relaxants for adults with … – The BMJ
Efficacy, acceptability, and safety of muscle relaxants for adults with ….
Posted: Thu, 08 Jul 2021 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. 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. On the other hand, Orphenadrine Citrate including brand versions such as Norflex was prescribed to around 1 million people in USA during same year. In terms of overall muscle relaxant prescriptions within America, orphenadrine citrate accounts for just below 5%. The usage of this medication has remained approximately steady over recent years despite being on market longer than cyclobenzaprine.
Patients and Prescribers
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication. Although most of the side effects listed below don’t happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use. Before taking orphenadrine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.