Choosing a Skeletal Muscle Relaxant

NSAIDs are considered safe during lactation and are a mainstay in the management of postpartum pain. There are several physiologic changes that occur during pregnancy and in the postpartum periods that have the potential to affect the pharmacokinetics of medications administered during pregnancy and postpartum. Drinking is also discouraged while taking a muscle relaxant and this advice is routinely ignored. For temporary relief, sugarless candy or gum is suggested and melting bits of ice in your mouth is recommended. People take muscle relaxants and expect to be able to function and work normally, including driving, operating machinery or doing cognitive tasks that require focus, which is a huge practical problem. Muscle relaxants make all these tasks harder, even at low doses like opioids.

• It is important to inform your healthcare provider of any preexisting conditions or medications you are currently taking to assess the potential for adverse drug interactions.
• Ask your doctor before making any changes in how or when you take your medications.
• (Brent 1995, Tolia 2015) Finally, during the postpartum period, providers should inquire as to whether the infant is being breast-fed and investigate whether the medication is excreted in the breast milk.
• Even though animal trials indicate it most likely is safe, it is still best to exercise caution and only take Flexeril while pregnant if you absolutely have to.

No anomalies were observed in three other categories of defects (spina bifida, limb-reduction defects, and hypospadias) for which data were available. Earlier data, obtained from the same source between 1980 and 1983, totaled 168 1st-trimester exposures with 12 defects observed (10 expected). These combined data do not support an association between the drug and congenital defects. It helps women in treating muscle spasms and all other muscle-related issues. According to the observation from the Food and Drug Administration, it was tested on rats, mice and rabbits in their pregnancy.

(Warner 2011) Pregnant women were not exempt from the consequences of opioid use. One study demonstrated that 1% of pregnant near-term women admitted to non-medical use of a prescription opioid analgesic within the past 30 days. (Bateman 2014) Another showed that 6% of pregnant women admitted nonmedical use of opioid analgesics during pregnancy and opioid users had significantly higher rates of psychiatric comorbidities. Prescription drug abuse in women of childbearing age can have significant consequences including unprotected sex, domestic violence, and child abuse. Although prescription drug abuse may not affect parenting ability, it is intuitive that treatment and abstinence are preferred.

Read this post to learn more about the safety and side effects of taking Flexeril during breastfeeding and the precautions you should take. We also tell you some natural remedies to treat muscle injuries. No reports have been located on the excretion of cyclobenzaprine into milk. The molecular weight (about 276 for the free base) is low enough that excretion into milk should be expected. In addition, the closely related tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., see Imipramine) are excreted into milk and this should be considered before cyclobenzaprine is used during lactation.

Can Folic Acid Be Obtained Without a Prescription?

Before taking any medication during pregnancy, it is always recommended to consult with your doctor to determine the safest course of action. Thank you for reading and please visit again later for more informative articles. Skeletal muscle relaxants are often prescribed for musculoskeletal conditions including low back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, tension headaches, and myofascial pain syndrome. The goals of treatment include managing muscle pain and improving functional status so the patient can return to work or resume previous activities. Muscle strain and backache may be common during pregnancy, but many drugs that are safe for most adults can be harmful to a pregnant woman or her fetus. Flexeril, known generically as cyclobenzaprine, is a muscle relaxant most often given for treatment of injury or muscle strain 1.

Many women who are pregnant experience back strain and other pain such as sciatica during pregnancy, particularly in the late stages as the baby has gotten larger. Many practitioners recommend natural solutions such as a warm bath, low heeled shoes or simply staying off the feet. Some women may also find relief from different sleeping positions such as placing pillows beneath the knees or the purchase of a body pillow, which may help to support the growing belly. In any case, a physician or health practitioner will help you decide what type of pain treatment may provide some relief. Used short-term to treat muscle spasms and works by helping to relax the muscles.

Norethindrone (Contraceptive) Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions … – WebMD

Norethindrone (Contraceptive) Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions ….

Posted: Sun, 03 Aug 2014 17:35:47 GMT [source]

In some cases, your doctor may be able to adjust your dosage or recommend other medications that may be safer for you and your developing baby. It’s also important to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery while taking Flexeril, as the medication can cause drowsiness and make it harder to concentrate. By being aware of the potential side effects of Flexeril and taking steps to manage them, you can help ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Side Effects of Flexeril

It’s always helpful to hear from other women who have gone through pregnancy and used Flexeril as a muscle relaxant. Many women have reported that they were prescribed Flexeril during pregnancy and had successful outcomes with no negative effects on themselves or their babies. One woman shared that she was prescribed Flexeril for severe back pain and was concerned about taking it during pregnancy. Her doctor reassured her that it was safe to use and that the benefits of managing her pain outweighed any potential risks. The use of any medication during pregnancy triggers understandable concerns among pregnant women. Flexeril is a muscle relaxant that is effective at alleviating muscle pain and spasm, which are quite common during pregnancy.

Mother Charged With Child Neglect Over Marijuana Use – Addiction Center

Mother Charged With Child Neglect Over Marijuana Use.

Posted: Wed, 15 Sep 2021 07:00:00 GMT [source]

However, it’s crucial to monitor the infant for drowsiness, proper weight gain, and developmental milestones to note any potential side effects (8). If you are a nursing mother, a thorough risk assessment of the drug before use is essential to ensure its safety and efficacy. Most drugs pass into breast flexeril pills milk, but they may or may not cause harm to your baby. There is not enough research on the effects of cyclobenzaprine on human lactation. But the composition of cyclobenzaprine is similar to tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine or amitriptyline, which are known to interact with breast milk.

cyclobenzaprine

Although all skeletal muscle relaxants should be used with caution in older patients, diazepam especially should be avoided in older patients or in patients with significant cognitive or hepatic impairment. Cyclobenzaprine is a prescription-based skeletal muscle relaxant that helps alleviate muscle pain. It is a short-term treatment course for various muscle injuries such as sprains. It is prescribed with other healing measures such as physical therapies and adequate rest. Cyclobenzaprine relaxes muscles by working on the central nervous system (CNS). It is available in the form of tablets and extended-release capsules.