Clonazepam is an antianxiety medication that is widely used to treat seizures, panic disorders, and muscle spasms. It provides hypnotic and sedative effects. Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine that is recommended for short-term usage only. It is a controlled medication that should be used as per the prescription only. However, Clonazepam may also be used as a muscle relaxant. Additionally, Clonazepam may interact with certain other medications like muscle relaxants and opioids. That’s why, individuals must use Clonazepam thoughtfully. In this article, we’ll discuss, whether, you can use Clonazepam with muscle relaxers, or not. A doctor may occasionally recommend both Clonazepam and muscle relaxers at the same time for treating your ailment.
Clonazepam and Muscle relaxers
Typically, muscle relaxants also have sedative effects. Sometimes while using two sedative medications, increased sedation is possible. They could also make you drowsy, disoriented, and tired, which could affect your productivity at work. Also, driving a car or using a machine might be dangerous. So, it is an unwise decision to use them together. However, you may do so, if the doctor recommended it to you. To make this clearer, let’s take an example of a muscle relaxer, Flexeril.
Muscle relaxer: Flexeril
Muscle-relaxing medications like Flexeril or cyclobenzaprine are typically recommended to treat musculoskeletal problems that cause pain, stiffness, and muscle spasms. It doesn’t seem to work well for those who have muscular spasms as a result of brain injuries or diseases of the central nervous system like multiple sclerosis. Off-label, it may also be used to treat different kinds of headaches, sleeplessness, and tinnitus.
Mechanism of action of Clonazepam and muscle relaxer Flexeril
Although both medicines provide drowsiness, relaxation, and anxiety alleviation, Clonazepam is far more effective at doing so. But, their modes of working are quite dissimilar.
Clonazepam affects the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, gamma-aminobutyric acid. The medication Clonazepam decreases the abnormal electrical activity in the brain and the central nervous system by increasing the availability of GABA in the brain and spinal cord. Because of this, it has the power to lower anxiety, provide drowsiness, and relax the muscles.
Flexeril works quite similarly to medication-class Tricyclic antidepressants. Flexeril affects the functioning of Acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in muscle movement. It is believed that it blocks the capacity of acetylcholine, to induce relaxation and alleviate muscle spasms.
The effects of mixing Clonazepam with muscle relaxer Flexeril
Clonazepam and cyclobenzaprine both have sedative properties. If medications that have comparable properties are combined, it eventually increases the effects of both medications. In addition, the use of clonazepam and Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) together, frequently increases the negative effects linked to both medications.
These enhanced impacts could consist of the following:
- Higher levels of dizziness
- Sleepiness to a greater extent
- Increased difficulty in paying attention and retaining new information
- Potential indistinctness
- Decreased reaction times, reduced motor coordination
- Some people, especially the elderly, suffer from significant impairments in their ability to think, judge, and reason.
- When stopping the usage of Clonazepam, the risk of seizures.
- Using clonazepam and Flexeril together raises the risk of mortality.
What not to take with Clonazepam?
Avoid taking alcohol along with Clonazepam because it may decrease its benefits and may cause certain serious effects. Alcohol consumption while taking clonazepam may raise the chance of an unintentional overdose. Also, avoid taking any other medications with it. Along with that, certain medications or dietary supplements may interact with Clonazepam (Klonopin).
What medications cannot be taken with Clonazepam?
When using clonazepam together with other drowsy-inducing drugs, care should be taken to avoid sleepiness and other effects. The following are the medications that may influence the effect of Clonazepam:
- Antihistamine
- Narcotic pain medicine
- Opioid
- Sleep medication
- Other anti-anxiety medications
- Antipsychotic medications
- anticonvulsant medications
- Tricyclic antidepressant medications
In addition, there may be more medications that interact with clonazepam (Klonopin), which are not all listed above. You should always inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional medications or supplements you are taking, including any vitamins, nutritional supplements, over-the-counter medications, and prescription and non-prescription medications.
FAQs
How much Clonazepam should I take to sleep?
The usual beginning dose of Clonazepam for treating sleep disorders is Clonazepam 0.5 mg once daily, at night. The maximum suggested dosage of clonazepam is 4 mg per day. Nevertheless, this dosage may be adjusted as needed in increments of 0.5 mg every three to four days. You should ask your doctor for better suggestions as per your condition.
Is Clonazepam used as a muscle relaxer?
Clonazepam may decrease the frequency of intensifying muscle cramps to an extent. Alike other benzodiazepines Clonazepam may also act as a muscle relaxant. But, if you thinking about using Clonazepam as a muscle relaxer, consult your doctor. Your doctor can give you better advice about it.
What to avoid when taking muscle relaxers?
While taking muscle relaxers, you should avoid taking alcohol, sleep medications, central nervous system depressants drugs such as opioids or psychotropics, and herbal supplements.
Where can I get Clonazepam?
You can buy Clonazepam UK from xanaxonline.org at a very reasonable cost. It is a trustworthy and reliable online pharmacy in the UK. You can place your order at any time around the clock.
In conclusion
The medications may occasionally be administered in combination, since, they each have a unique mechanism of action. But you should not use these medications in combination until a doctor recommends you do so. Whereas, the individuals who misuse medications are unaware of the safe medication dosages that can be combined. Therefore, always seek a doctor’s suggestion before taking any medication.
