Posted on

Which is better for back pain Flexeril or Tramadol

Flexeril and Tramadol

Description of Flexeril

The generic name of Flexeril is Cyclobenzaprine. Flexeril and Tramadol work to relax the muscles indicated as adjuncts to rest and physical therapy for relief of muscle spasm associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions. Flexeril helps to relax the muscles and relieve the pain. Since Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is widely used to treat muscle spasms and is available in the generic form, however, it is not recommended to use it in the long term. 

The IUPAC name of Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is 3-(5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ylidene)-N,N-dimethyl-propan-1-amine and the chemical formula is C20H21N with a molecular weight of 275.395 g/mol.

The chemical structure of Cyclobenzaprine (C20H21N) is given below.

Cyclobenzaprine (C20H21N)

Description of Tramadol

Tramadol 100mg is an opioid analgesic that is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Overdosing on tramadol might result in liver failure. Clinically obvious drug-induced liver damage has not been linked to pharmacologic Tramadol dosages. Tramadol is an SNRI (serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) and a centrally acting synthetic opioid analgesic that is chemically similar to codeine and morphine. Tramadol is typically regarded as a lower-risk opioid alternative for the treatment of moderate to severe pain due to its favorable tolerability profile and multimodal mechanism of action. On the World Health Organization’s pain scale, it’s a step 2 choice with roughly a tenth of the strength of morphine.

The IUPAC name of Tramadol is 2-[(Dimethylamino)methyl]-1-(3-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexanol and the chemical formula is (C16H25NO2) with a molecular weight of 263.381 g/mol.

The chemical structure of Tramadol (C16H25NO2) is given below.

Tramadol (C16H25NO2)

Usage of Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine)

Flexeril and Tramadol are used in the treatment of severe pain. Flexeril helps to relax the muscles and relieve the pain. Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is widely used to treat muscle spasms and Fibromyalgia. Moreover, it is available in generic form. Flexeril relieves pain associated with muscle spasms. Moreover, it is recommended to pregnant women. However, the medical/ clinical consult is mandatory. Additionally, Flexeril can be habit-forming and cause dizziness and sleepiness and it is not recommended for long-term therapy. Moreover, it is not recommended in elderly patients, people with glaucoma, or people with heart conditions (like rhythm problems, heart failure, or recent heart attack). Additionally, Flexeril can make skin and mouth dry. In the case of brain and spinal injuries, Flexeril is not effective for muscle spasms.

 

Usage of Tramadol

Tramadol is a pain reliever medicine. Usually, it is used with a combination of other medicines. Moreover, tramadol belongs to the drug class of opioid agonists and is classified under the Schedule 2 Controlled Substance Act (CSA) therefore it can be addictive in nature. Tramadol 100mg pink pill is a powerful pain reliever however, it can have harmful effects, if it is taken in the wrong ways. Also, patients must inform the concerned doctor if they are allergic to tramadol. 

Moreover, tramadol may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions and other problems as well. Additionally, if patients are suffering from the following medical history, they should immediately inform the doctor before initiating the dosage of tramadol.

  • In case of liver or kidney disease
  • If the patient is taking the treatment of epilepsy or fits which is not being diagnosed by the ongoing treatment.
  • In case the patient is taking treatment for depression or Parkinson’s disease.

Tramadol may cause drowsiness or sleepiness in the patient. As a result, alcohol, marijuana, and cannabis intake are restricted since they might make the patient dizzy. It is also not suggested that the patient drive or use machinery that requires attentiveness. Tramadol is not suggested for pregnant women who do not have a prescription since it can pass into breast milk and damage the infant.

Dosage and administration of Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine):

Flexeril is recommended to take 5 mg three times a day based on the individual patient response. Moreover, the dosage can increase to 10 mg three times a day. Use of Flexeril for a longer period than two or three weeks is not recommended. The form of the medicine can be both pills and liquid.

The first risk factor of Flexeril includes Serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) and taking other medications for your mood. Other symptoms are dizziness and sleepiness, which increase in case the patient is drug addicted or an alcoholic. Moreover, heart attack, strokes, dehydration, and overactive thyroid include the risk factor for Flexeril.

 

Dosage and administration of Tramadol

The usual adult dose for acute pain is 50 to 100 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed. The usual dose for chronic pain for adults is recommended 100 mg orally once in a day. Individual titration to minimize adverse reactions is 100 mg increments in every 5 days to an effective dose. The maximum dosage for a day could be 300 mg/day.

The patient currently receiving Immediate-Release (IR) tramadol should initiate the dose with a total daily ER dose rounded down to the next lowest 100 mg increment orally once a day. Conversion from other opioids discontinues all other around-the-clock opioid drugs prior to initiating therapy initiated with 100 mg ER orally once a day. Individual titration to minimize adverse reactions is 100 mg increments in every 5 days to an effective dose. The maximum dosage for a day could be 300 mg/day. For geriatric doses for pain should be cautious generally starting at the lowest effective dose. The maximum geriatric dose of immediate-release for pain is 300 mg per day.  

 

Conclusion

Flexeril and Tramadol both are prescribed for back pain. However, Flexeril has more effectiveness than Tramadol.  Flexeril reacts quicker than Tramadol. Thus it has been proven that Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is better than Tramadol for back pain. 

Flexeril and Tramadol are used in the treatment of severe pain. Flexeril helps to relax the muscles and relieve the pain. Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is widely used to treat muscle spasms and Fibromyalgia. Moreover, it is available in generic form. Flexeril relieves pain associated with muscle spasms. Additionally, Flexeril can be habit-forming and cause dizziness and sleepiness and it is not recommended for long-term therapy. Moreover, it is not recommended in elderly patients, people with glaucoma, or people with heart conditions (like rhythm problems, heart failure, or recent heart attack). Additionally, Flexeril can make skin and mouth dry. In the case of brain and spinal injuries, Flexeril is not effective for muscle spasms.

Moreover, Tramadol belongs to the drug class of opioid agonists and is classified under the Schedule 2 Controlled Substance Act (CSA) therefore it can be addictive in nature. Tramadol is a powerful pain reliever however, it can have harmful effects if it is taken in the wrong ways. Also, patients must inform the concerned doctor if they are allergic to tramadol. Moreover, Tramadol may cause drowsiness or sleepiness in the patient. As a result, alcohol, marijuana, and cannabis intake are restricted since they might make the patient dizzy. It is also not suggested that the patient drive or use machinery that requires attentiveness. Tramadol is not suggested for pregnant women who do not have a prescription since it can pass into breast milk and damage the infant.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *