Flexeril vs. Xanax

• Are Flexeril and Xanax the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Flexeril?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Xanax?
• What Is Flexeril?
• What Is Xanax?
• What Drugs Interact with Flexeril?
• What Drugs Interact with Xanax?
• How Should Flexeril Be Taken?
• How Should Xanax Be Taken?

Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) and Xanax (alprazolam) are used as adjuncts to rest and physical therapy for relief of muscle spasm.

Xanax is mainly used as an anti-anxiety medication prescribed to treat panic attacks and anxiety disorders.

Flexeril and Xanax belong to different drug classes. Flexeril is a muscle relaxant and Xanax is a benzodiazepine.

Side effects of Flexeril and Xanax that are similar include dry mouth, headache, blurred vision, drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue/tiredness, appetite changes, stomach pain or upset, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and muscle weakness.

Side effects of Flexeril that are different from Xanax include dry throat and gas.

Side effects of Xanax that are different from Flexeril include sleep problems (insomnia), memory problems, poor balance or coordination, slurred speech, trouble concentrating, irritability, increased sweating, vomiting, weight changes, swelling in your hands or feet, stuffy nose, and loss of interest in sex.

Both Flexeril and Xanax may interact with alcohol, other drugs that make you drowsy (narcotics, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or medicines for anxiety or seizures), antidepressants, barbiturates, and blood pressure medications.

Flexeril may also interact with atropine, bronchodilators, guanethidine, tramadol, bladder or urinary medications, irritable bowel medications, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), bupropion, cold or allergy medicine that contains an antihistamine, medicines to treat Parkinson's disease, and medicines to treat excess stomach acid or stomach ulcer and motion sickness.

Xanax may also interact with birth control pills, cimetidine, cyclosporine, dexamethasone, ergotamine, imatinib, isoniazid, St. John's wort, antibiotics, antifungals, heart medications, HIV/AIDS medicines, and seizure medications.

Do not stop using Xanax suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

Common side effects of Flexeril include:

• dry mouth or throat
• headache
• blurred vision
• drowsiness
• dizziness
• fatigue
• loss of appetite
• stomach pain
• nausea
• diarrhea
• constipation
• gas, or
• muscle weakness.

Common side effects of Xanax include:

• Drowsiness
• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• Sleep problems (insomnia)
• Memory problems
• Poor balance or coordination
• Slurred speech
• Trouble concentrating
• Irritability
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Increased sweating
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Upset stomach
• Blurred vision
• Appetite or weight changes
• Swelling in your hands or feet
• Muscle weakness
• Dry mouth
• Stuffy nose
• Loss of interest in sex

Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is a muscle relaxant indicated as an adjunct to rest and physical therapy for relief of muscle spasm associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions.

Xanax (alprazolam) is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders and the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety in adults. Xanax is also indicated for the treatment of panic disorder in adults with or without a fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment (agoraphobia).

Flexeril especially when used with alcohol or other CNS depressants, may impair mental and/or physical abilities required for performance of hazardous tasks, such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle.

Xanax may interact with cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, medicine for depression or anxiety, antibiotics, antifungal medicines, antidepressants, and barbiturates. Xanax may also interact with birth control pills, cimetidine, cyclosporine, dexamethasone, ergotamine, imatinib, isoniazid, St. John's wort, heart or blood pressure medications, HIV/AIDS medicines, and seizure medications.

Do not take Xanax if you are allergic to alprazolam, other benzodiazepines, or any of the ingredients in Xanax. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in Xanax. you are taking antifungal medicines including ketoconazole and itraconazole.

For most patients, the recommended dose of Flexeril is 5 mg three times a day. Based on individual patient response, the dose may be increased to 10 mg three times a day. Use of Flexeril for periods longer than two or three weeks is not recommended.

Take Xanax exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. Your healthcare provider will tell you how much Xanax to take and when to take it. If you take too much Xanax, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

Xanax is a benzodiazepine medicine. Taking benzodiazepines with opioid medicines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants (including street drugs) can cause severe drowsiness, breathing problems (respiratory depression), coma and death.

Xanax can make you sleepy or dizzy, and can slow your thinking and motor skills.

Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how Xanax affects you.

Do not drink alcohol or take other drugs that may make you sleepy or dizzy while taking Xanax without first talking to your healthcare provider. When taken with alcohol or drugs that cause sleepiness or dizziness, Xanax may make your sleepiness or dizziness much worse.

Do not take more Xanax than prescribed.