Does Flexeril cause weight gain?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Does Flexeril cause weight gain?
Yes, Flexeril can cause weight gain as a side effect. However, it is not considered a common side effect and only 3% of the population taking this medication suffers from this type of weight gain.
If you’re one of the unfortunate ones, make sure you talk to your healthcare provider about this and discuss the safety and efficacy of Flexeril in your body.
Flexeril and weight gain according to experts
According to experts, Flexeril can cause weight gain by increasing your appetite and it is considered one of the main reasons why this medication is associated with weight gain as a side effect (1).
It is a known fact that when you start to eat more than your body requires for its normal physiological functioning, the excess calories begin to store as fat in your body. It can also cause bloating and make your stomach appear larger or bulkier.
This does not happen overnight and an increase in appetite is the cause of long-term weight loss in people taking Flexeril. However, some people have complained of gaining a tremendous amount of weight just in a week or less.
This indicates that the drug does interfere with your body’s metabolic functions in one way or another and it can cause a number of variable side effects in its users (2).
Some research studies have also revealed that Flexeril can make people lose a tremendous amount of weight as well. Experts believe that this drug causes different weight-related side effects in different individuals.
Just like our bodies have different tendencies to lose and gain weight, similarly, they can show different effects when exposed to medications like Flexeril.
What to do if Flexeril makes you gain weight?
There are a few things that you can do if Flexeril makes you gain a significant amount of weight. These include:
Discuss your weight gain with your healthcare provider
It is extremely important to talk to your healthcare provider if you’re gaining a considerable amount of weight while being treated with Flexeril.
This is because Flexeril is a muscle relaxant which is often prescribed after an injury that can cause pain in your muscles and spinal cord. If you gain a lot of weight, it will become difficult for you to carry your own body weight, especially if you have a lower back injury.
This is why you should definitely talk about this type of weight gain and discuss the safety and efficacy of future use of Flexeril. If this med continues to cause weight gain, your doctor may shift you to another medication.
Eat good foods
As Flexeril can boost your appetite, you should always opt for healthier food choices to satiate your appetite. If you continue to eat healthy and fulfilling foods, your elevated appetite will not be the reason for your weight gain.
However, if you start snacking on healthy foods, this increased hunger will make you gain a tremendous amount of weight that would be extremely difficult to lose.
Boost your metabolism
Another way of getting rid of Flexeril-induced weight gain is to have an incredibly fast metabolism. For this purpose, you should choose foods and drinks that can help you achieve that goal like good protein intake and coffee.
You should also incorporate a good exercise regimen in your daily routine as exercise is the best way to boost your metabolism, strengthen your immune system, and make your physiological composition healthier.
Stay hydrated
Water is essential for you, especially if you’re working out. Dehydration can slow down your metabolism even more and can slow down the fat-burning process of your body. This is why you should have enough hydration in your body at all times.
Water not only helps increase your energy levels but it can also remove toxins from your body. If drinking plain water is boring for you, you can try making detox water by adding your favourite fruits to the water.
You can add berries, citrus fruits, kiwi, cucumbers, mint, ginger, and several other things to your water to make to increase its nutrition factor and make it taste refreshing.
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References
1.-
National Library of Medicine (US). Cyclobenzaprine. MedlinePlus [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine; [updated 2022 Oct 15; cited 2022 Sep 27]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682514.html
2.-
PubChem [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US), National Center for Biotechnology Information; 2004-. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 2895, Cyclobenzaprine; [cited 2022 Sep 27]. Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Cyclobenzaprine
