Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride) Addiction: Signs and Side Effects of Flexeril Abuse

Flexeril is the brand name for a muscle relaxant that’s typically used for short-term muscle spasms or musculoskeletal pain. While Flexeril isn’t an opioid or considered highly addictive, misuse can still have dangerous effects and lead to compulsive use. Cyclobenzaprine is also available as a generic, but this page focuses specifically on the misuse patterns and risks associated with Flexeril.

People may misuse Flexeril to calm down, “take the edge off” or sleep. Some people use it to relieve pain or enhance the effects of other substances.

Mixing Flexeril with these substances can significantly increase the risks of misuse:

• Alcohol
• Opioids
• Sedatives
• Benzodiazepines

This guide provides an overview of Flexeril addiction, including why Flexeril use can become a problem, warning signs and withdrawal symptoms. Because it focuses on the signs and health effects of Flexeril addiction, it doesn’t discuss treatment options or rehab programs.

Flexeril slows down the central nervous system, causing sedation and relaxation effects. As a result, some people start to rely on it to fall asleep or relieve anxiety. Using Flexeril to cope with stress, sleep problems or emotional discomfort can reinforce repeated misuse, increasing the risk of tolerance or dependence.

Some people take higher doses of Flexeril to feel sedated. This type of drug use increases impairment and may lead to unsafe decision-making.

Polysubstance use enhances these risks. In the medical field, polysubstance use refers to the use of multiple psychoactive substances either at the same time or within a short period. A substance is psychoactive if it affects how the brain works.

Addiction risk tends to increase with:

• Nonmedical use of Flexeril.
• Use of Flexeril for emotional relief.
• Repeated misuse.

Although many people use terms such as “substance abuse,” “drug abuse” and “drug addiction” to describe problematic substance use, these terms are outdated. Clinicians have replaced those terms with “substance misuse” and “substance use disorder” to reflect that it’s a treatable disease.

When comparing Flexeril abuse vs. Flexeril addiction, the difference lies in the amount of control you have. Misuse refers to taking Flexeril outside the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Examples include:

• Taking it more often than prescribed
• Taking someone else’s prescription
• Using higher-than-recommended doses
• Mixing it with other substances to enhance its effects

In contrast, Flexeril addiction is the compulsive use of Flexeril, typically accompanied by strong cravings, impaired control and continued use despite harm. If you have a substance use disorder, you might rely on Flexeril for sleep, daily calming or emotional numbing rather than chasing a dramatic “high.”

Some people develop Flexeril dependence with long-term use. Physical dependence is more likely if you take higher doses of Flexeril or use it longer than recommended.

You may experience these symptoms if you attempt to cut back or stop using Flexeril:

• Anxiety
• Malaise
• Trouble sleeping
• Irritability

It’s also possible to develop a psychological dependence on Flexeril. Psychological dependence is when you need a substance to manage your emotions or cope with the stresses of daily life. For example, you may feel unable to sleep or relax without it.

Dependence isn’t the same as addiction. However, it can indicate that you’re at risk of progressing from misuse to compulsive use.

Flexeril addiction can affect your mental and physical health, as well as your behavior, mood and personal safety. Let’s take a closer look at signs and changes that can occur with addiction.

Physical Signs

Due to its effects on your central nervous system, Flexeril may cause:

• Dizziness
• Heavy drowsiness
• Blurred vision
• Slowed reaction time
• Dry mouth

Mood and Cognition Changes

Slowing down brain activity affects mood in several ways. It’s common to experience irritability between doses. You may also have heightened anxiety with long-term use.

CNS depressants have been associated with changes in cognitive function. This is the broad term used to describe the mental processes involved in learning, understanding and processing information. For example, Flexeril commonly causes confusion, especially with high doses.

Behavioral Changes

Many behavioral changes relate to how you use Flexeril or attempt to access it. You may take higher doses than your doctor prescribed, use it without a valid prescription or continue using it even when it causes harm. It’s also common for people to hide their Flexeril misuse from loved ones.

Common medication-use signs of Flexeril addiction include:

• Requesting early refills
• Running out of medication earlier than scheduled
• Taking it at times that interfere with your ability to function (e.g., early in the morning)

Family and Workplace Issues

Although Flexeril doesn’t affect you the same way as opioids or stimulants do, misuse can still contribute to family or social problems. For example, it’s common for people to isolate themselves when they’re misusing prescription medications. If family members don’t know about your Flexeril use, they may assume you don’t want to spend time with them, increasing conflict in the home.

Flexeril misuse may also interfere with your ability to maintain stable employment. You may leave work early to use Flexeril or call in sick due to unpleasant side effects. If you’re impaired during work hours, you may also miss deadlines or submit work that isn’t up to your usual standards.

Legal and Financial Issues

Flexeril misuse has also been linked to legal and financial issues. For example, if you drive shortly after taking Flexeril, drowsiness and lack of coordination may cause you to get into an accident. You may be charged with driving while impaired or cited for unsafe driving behavior.

If misuse causes you to lose your job, you may not have enough income to cover your bills. Some people even borrow money to ensure they don’t run out of Flexeril.

Safety Concerns

Using Flexeril before driving is a major safety concern, as it slows reaction times, making it more difficult to respond to changing traffic patterns. Mixing it with alcohol, opioids or benzodiazepines is also a red flag.

Flexeril withdrawal isn’t the same as opioid withdrawal, but stopping after heavy use may cause uncomfortable symptoms for some people.

Possible symptoms include:

• Rebound insomnia
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Sweating
• Restlessness
• Nausea
• Headaches

The severity of cyclobenzaprine withdrawal symptoms depends on dose, duration of use and whether you’ve been combining it with other substances. For example, you may experience severe symptoms if you typically take it with alcohol. Although Flexeril withdrawal doesn’t cause serious symptoms for most people, stopping after heavy use can still feel difficult.

The most common effects of short-term use include drowsiness, dizziness and dry mouth. Some people also experience constipation or blurred vision. These Flexeril side effects may worsen with misuse. You should also be aware of the potential cognitive and safety effects of Flexeril. Some people have impaired coordination, increasing the risk of falls or other accidents. Confusion is another common side effect.

At high doses, Flexeril can affect the heart. Fast heart rate, fainting and abnormal heart rhythms are all possibilities. It may even cause life-threatening low blood pressure or cardiac arrest.

Flexeril is structurally similar to tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), which can block the sodium channels responsible for initiating each heartbeat. Cyclobenzaprine also has anticholinergic effects, meaning it blocks the effects of acetylcholine in your central nervous system. This is why it’s capable of causing serious heart symptoms.

The risk of these side effects increases when you combine it with alcohol, opioids or benzodiazepines. Some people even overdose on Flexeril, increasing the risk of breathing issues or loss of consciousness. Additional cyclobenzaprine overdose signs include extreme sleepiness, agitation and hallucinations.

Like other substance use disorders, Flexeril addiction has a variety of risk factors. One of the most common is access to cyclobenzaprine. You may start using this medication if you have access to leftover pills or early refills.

Some mental health symptoms increase the risk of developing a substance use disorder. People with anxiety, depression or trauma symptoms may misuse Flexeril to cope with stress or numb their emotions. You may also misuse it to self-medicate for insomnia and other sleep problems.

Cyclobenzaprine addiction is more likely if you have a history of substance use disorders. This includes misuse of alcohol, opioids or sedatives. Mixing substances is especially risky.

In some cases, substance misuse results from a lack of knowledge. Some people assume that prescription medications are always safe.

Addiction is a pattern of compulsive use, so just because you misuse Flexeril doesn’t mean you’re addicted to it. Diagnosing Flexeril addiction involves having a clinician examine your use patterns over time.

The diagnostic process includes questions related to:

• Loss of control
• Risky use
• Continued use despite harm

During your initial evaluation, the clinician may ask questions about mixing risks, dose patterns and episodes of impairment. You may also undergo a mental health screening to determine if any co-occurring disorders are contributing to your Flexeril misuse.

It’s also important to share information about your current medications and substance use history. A thorough evaluation can help your healthcare provider determine if you need treatment for a substance use disorder.

Prescription medication abuse often begins gradually, especially when you’re trying to calm down, sleep or relieve discomfort. Consider getting professional support if you’ve been taking higher doses, mixing Flexeril with other substances or dealing with daily impairment. Falls, overdose scares and Flexeril-related accidents are also signs that you may benefit from treatment.

Help.org is a free, confidential resource that can help you find treatment for Flexeril addiction. Use it to compare treatment centers based on your clinical needs, personal preferences and location.