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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ravenstorm on July 1, 2006, at 9:17:54
I know that flexeril is a muscle relaxant, but I have a friend whose doctor prescribed it for her for grinding her teeth and insomnia.
I checked SLS's handy list, but no luck (probably because its not a psych drug).
What is the mechanism of action for flexeril? What parts of the brain does it affect? Is it as addictive as a benzo? Anybody else using this for sleep?
I have fibro too, so a muscle relaxant might not be a bad idea either.
Thanks!
Posted by Jost on July 1, 2006, at 12:56:52
In reply to Mechanism of action of flexeril?, posted by ravenstorm on July 1, 2006, at 9:17:54
The mechanism of action of flexeril (cyclobenzoprine) isn't fully understood, I think. It's "centrally acting"--ie within the central nervous system--not peripheral.
I located this abstract, which hazards a theory:
Commissiong JW, Karoum F, Reiffenstein RJ, Neff NH.
".....In the ventral horn of the cord, which receives a dense noradrenergic innervation from the locus coeruleus, CBZ caused an increase in the metabolism of noradrenaline. In the zona intermedia of the thoracic cord, which is not innervated by the locus coeruleus, CBZ caused only minimal effects on noradrenaline metabolism. Cells in the locus coeruleus were activated by CBZ. The results indicate that... an intact, coerulospinal, noradrenergic projection is essential for the muscle relaxant effect of CBZ. Muscle relaxation apparently results from an activation of locus coeruleus neurones, leading to an increased release of noradrenaline in the ventral horn of the cord and the subsequent inhibitory action of noradrenaline on alpha motoneurones."
(I took out some specifics about the animal experiements, which some people might find upsettting and aren't central to the point. )
I've used both flexeril and carisoprodol (soma) and found soma better, because sometimes flexeril caused me to feel a little depressed the next day.
Also, an important note: you can't take flexeril with an MAOI, but carisoprodol is okay.
Jost
Posted by ravenstorm on July 1, 2006, at 12:58:52
In reply to Re: Mechanism of action of flexeril? » ravenstorm, posted by Jost on July 1, 2006, at 12:56:52
Well, I just found this in a babble search:
" A great example is the muscle relaxer Flexeril, which is really nothing more than a tricyclic antidepressant when you get down to it. It inhibits NE and 5-HT uptake and has strong anticholinergic and antihistamine activity, making it very similar to Elavil (which is used quite often in treating fibromyalgia)."
Is this true? Does it work like a TCA. This is the information I am looking for: what neurotransmitters does this med hit?
Posted by ravenstorm on July 1, 2006, at 13:01:57
In reply to Re: Mechanism of action of flexeril?, posted by ravenstorm on July 1, 2006, at 12:58:52
Posted by Jost on July 1, 2006, at 13:11:33
In reply to Re: SLS, does Flexeril really work like a TCA? (nm), posted by ravenstorm on July 1, 2006, at 13:01:57
I also had remembered that. That would account for its being unacceptable with MAOIs.
My PDR (not recent, 2001) says:
that it works primarily in the CNS at the level of othe brain stem rather than spinal cord;
and that cyclopenzaprine "is closely related to the tricyclic antidepressants..." and that it has a similar side-effect profile.
Jost
Posted by Phillipa on July 1, 2006, at 13:38:11
In reply to Re: SLS, does Flexeril really work like a TCA?, posted by Jost on July 1, 2006, at 13:11:33
fexeril is it considered controlled like Soma? Love Phillipa
Posted by ravenstorm on July 3, 2006, at 8:35:35
In reply to Re: SLS, does Flexeril really work like a TCA?, posted by Phillipa on July 1, 2006, at 13:38:11
Scott, I often refer to your table on the mechanism of action of psych drugs, and was wondering where you got all that information. I would like to find out about some drugs that aren't on the list, but I'm not having much luck.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Posted by SLS on July 3, 2006, at 10:51:20
In reply to Re: SLS, Where did you get the info for your table, posted by ravenstorm on July 3, 2006, at 8:35:35
> Scott, I often refer to your table on the mechanism of action of psych drugs, and was wondering where you got all that information. I would like to find out about some drugs that aren't on the list, but I'm not having much luck.
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks!The majority of the information came from:
3. http://kidb.cwru.edu/pdsp.php
:-)
Good luck.
Please post any juicy details you find.
- Scott
Posted by ravenstorm on July 3, 2006, at 10:53:09
In reply to Re: SLS, Where did you get the info for your table » ravenstorm, posted by SLS on July 3, 2006, at 10:51:20
Thanks Scott! If I ever find out what neurotransmitters flexeril hits I'll be sure to post it.
Thanks so much for taking the time to post the links!
Posted by Chairman_MAO on July 3, 2006, at 21:30:10
In reply to Mechanism of action of flexeril?, posted by ravenstorm on July 1, 2006, at 9:17:54
Flexeril is virtually a placebo, and is related to amitryptiline, IIRC.
Carisoprodol does work and is metabolized into meprobamate (Miltown).
This is the end of the thread.
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