Tim asked
Can Cyclobenzaprine make you high?
Answer
Like most medications, abuse of Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) can cause a "high" or euphoric symptoms in individuals. Even at usual dosages, cyclobenzaprine has sedative and calming effects that many individuals find pleasant. However, it is important to note that cyclobenzaprine should not be used in doses exceeding the maximum daily dose (30 mg per day) due to the increased risk of adverse reactions.
Cyclobenzaprine Effects From Overuse
Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant, chemically related to the tricyclic antidepressant class of medications. Although cyclobenzaprine is not used as an antidepressant, it does share many similar pharmacologic effects with antidepressants and has a similar mechanism of action. While the exact mechanism of cyclobenzaprine isn't know, it is thought to work in the following ways:
- Increase in anticholinergic activity
- Increase and/or potentiation of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine
- Augmentation of serotonin
- Central nervous system depression
Source: Package Insert, Cyclobenzaprine Study
At usually prescribed dosages, the most common effects of cyclobenzaprine are sedation, fatigue and a general feeling of calmness. However there are anecdotal reports of using cyclobenzaprine at higher than indicated doses to get a "high", or pleasant effects. In fact, cyclobenzaprine has consistently ranked in the top 50 of abused prescriptions drugs since the late 1980's.
In addition to potential euphoric effects from high doses of cyclobenzaprine, data suggests that muscle relaxants are often taken at higher than usual doses for their sedating, or calming effects. Higher doses typically yield more calming and sedating effects. Studies of cyclobenzaprine abuse also show that it is often used in combination with other central nervous system depressants (e.g. alcohol) for greater effects including:
- Lengthening the effect of other drugs
- Increasing the combined effects of each drug
- Achieving the same effect of other drugs while lowering the amount needed
Dangers Of Abusing Cyclobenzaprine To Get High
However, the dangers of abusing cyclobenzaprine are great. In 2004 alone, nearly 6,000 emergency room visits were attributed to cyclobenzaprine side effects. Published cases of overdose have shown excess dosages of cyclobenzaprine causing the following adverse effects:
- Dry mouth
- Dry eyes
- Blurred vision
- Nervousness
- Confusion
- Extreme lethargy
- Depression
- Respiratory depression
- Coma
- Cardiac arrhythmias
Even in cases where drug abuse isn't present, cyclobenzaprine needs to be used cautiously in those that may have contraindicated conditions (e.g. history of cardiac issues) or are using other agents that depress the central nervous system. Abuse of cyclobenzaprine has potentially serious, even fatal consequences and should not be used in doses above what is prescribed and recommended by the FDA.
