Carisoprodol vs Cyclobenzaprine: Which Muscle Relaxant Is Stronger?

Muscle pain and spasms are daily life issues which affect the quality of life. Doctors have prescribed many medications but Carisoprodol and Cyclobenzaprine stand out as the two most reliable drugs. People who use these two drugs experience relief and its side effects simultaneously. As both medications have their merits and demerits differentiating Carisoprodol vs Cyclobenzaprine and understanding them separately helps one treat their muscle discomfort effectively. It is also very important to know why doctors administer these two drugs above other painkillers. This blog will help us compare the two muscle relaxants on the basis of their mechanisms, properties and risks.

Carisoprodol vs Cyclobenzaprine For Muscle Pain: Uses, Dosage, Risks & Key Comparisons

Overview Of Carisoprodol vs Cyclobenzaprine

Doctors prescribe Cyclobenzaprine as a first-line medication to treat muscle spasms and pain. It works by stopping motor activity in the brain stem that reduces neuron hyperactivity in its local origin. Cyclobenzaprine binds with norepinephrine to activate the noradrenergic system, which is responsible for certain cognitive functions. Another oral muscle-relaxing medication that is used for treating the same muscle problems is Carisoprodol. It alters interneuronal activity by changing pain perceptions that creates a relaxing sensation. The GABA-A receptors present in the brain also bind with Carisoprodol to release its neurotransmitters into the brain. Doctors usually advise taking either of the medications with therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to get better pain relief.

The Relation Between The Muscle Relaxants

Both skeletal muscle relaxants share a lot of aspects common between them. For instance both belong to the same drug class of central nervous system relaxants. Carisoprodol and Cyclobenzaprine are approved by the FDA to be used for muscle pain. Neither of the drugs directly affects the muscles but works by interrupting the nervous system to reduce the discomfort. Each is prescribed for a short-term dose that lasts for 2-3 weeks and neither can be bought without a doctor’s prescription. Another important similarity between the two relaxants is that both have sedative effects on the system. There are many differences between the two drugs too, that we need to shed some light on.

What’s The Differences Between Carisoprodol And Cyclobenzaprine?

The two muscle relaxants have many contrasting properties which make both medications different from one another. The dissimilarities span from the controlled status of the medications to their mechanisms and many other aspects. 

Categories	Carisoprodol	Cyclobenzaprine
Controlled Status	Carisoprodol is labelled as a Schedule IV controlled substance.	Cyclobenzaprine is not a controlled drug.
Dosage	One should take this drug 4 times a day.	It can be taken 3 times a day (immediate-release) or once daily (extended-release).
Mechanism	It interrupts the interneuronal activity of the nervous system.	Its mechanism involves interrupting motor activity in the brain stem.
Half-life	Carisoprodol carries a very short half-life of 2 hours.	Cyclobenzaprine stands out with half-life of 37 hours.
Potency	It is a highly abusive drug that people can get addicted to.	It is a much safer drug as it carries very less potency.

Side Effects And Risks 

Both muscle relaxants have almost the same side effects. The difference is in how intensely the side effects occur in either medication. As Carisoprodol is more potent it can affect the nervous system strongly. 

Common Side Effects

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Constipation
• Dry Mouth
• Blurry Vision
• Nausea

Serious Risks

• Sedation
• Palpitations
• Anger
• Confusion
• Hallucinations
• Addiction
• Seizures

Is It Safe Take Carisoprodol and Cyclobenzaprine Together?

Doctors believe that there can be a major risk in the interaction of muscle relaxants. Carisoprodol is a highly addictive drug, and mixing it with Cyclobenzaprine can be dangerous, as these two relaxants can increase the intensity of their risks. Together these two drugs can depress the nervous system extremely causing a lot of respiratory or mental health issues. Combining the two drugs can weaken the quality of both relaxants which makes them of no use. Rather than being useful, this mixture increases the stress on the kidneys and liver. It is much wiser to use both medications safely and separately to get the best treatment for muscle pain. 

Drug Interactions Of Cyclobenzaprine And Carisoprodol

The reaction between the two muscle pain relievers might be risky but there are other drugs that react with these two drugs. These interactions can indicate which of the two muscle pain remedies carries more risk than the other.

Carisoprodol Interaction

• Morphine
• OxyContin
• Vicodin
• Norco
• Ambien
• Lyrica
• Lexapro
• Duloxetine
• Cymbalta

Cyclobenzaprine Interaction

• Norco
• Escitalopram
• Cymbalta
• Zoloft
• Xanax
• Ambien
• Benadryl
• Zyrtec

Which is Better Muscle Relaxant, Cyclobenzaprine or Carisoprodol?

People have always debated over which drug is better and which is stronger between the two muscle relaxants. Carisoprodol is considered stronger than cyclobenzaprine in many aspects. It works way faster than its counterpart to provide the short-term relief it is made for. It can give stronger sedative effects that work extremely well for acute forms of muscle pain. But Cyclobenzaprine is the prime example of why less potent drugs are more favourable for long-term treatment. For moderate muscle pain and spasm Cyclobenzaprine is the best option. Both drugs are useful depending on which medication suits the muscle pain best.

Conclusion

Carisoprodol and Cyclobenzaprine are two of the most trustworthy muscle pain relievers. Both are sedative in nature, but Carisoprodol is a bit too strong as it is a controlled substance. Cyclobenzaprine may not work as quickly as its counterpart but it has a safer profile for pain relief. Doctors will prescribe the two drugs as per the intensity of the muscle pain. But never take the two medications together which have a highly dangerous interaction.