Does Flexeril cause weight loss?
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 loss?
No, Flexeril is not associated with weight loss. In fact, some people may gain a few pounds because their injury doesn’t allow them to move much and Flexeril may also contribute a little to this weight gain.
However, weight loss has not been reported. If you are losing weight and you think Flexeril is the one to blame, talk to your healthcare provider. It is not a weight-loss pill and it doesn’t affect your metabolism or appetite in any way.
Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant that is commonly used to help relieve muscle spasms and associated pain. It works by acting on the central nervous system to reduce muscle activity and tension (1,2).
If it is affecting your body negatively, it is not a good sign. If Flexeril is not the right choice of muscle relaxant for you, your doctor may switch you to another medication. Make sure you don’t start or stop taking any medication without your doctor’s approval.
What side effects are common with Flexeril?
Flexeril, although it does not cause weight loss, is associated with some side effects – ranging from mild to severe.
Common side effects of Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine) may include: (3)
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Bloating
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Muscle weakness
- Nervousness or anxiety
Rare side effects of Flexeril may include:
- Allergic reactions (e.g., rash, itching, swelling)
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Confusion or hallucinations
- Seizures
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Difficulty urinating
- Changes in taste or coordination
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
It’s important to note that these side effects can vary from person to person. If you experience any unusual or severe side effects while taking Flexeril, it is crucial to seek medical attention.
What to do if you’re losing weight while taking Flexeril?
If you’re experiencing weight loss while taking Flexeril, it’s important to consider potential factors that may be contributing to this rather than attributing it directly to the medication itself.
Weight loss can be influenced by various factors such as changes in appetite, activity levels, overall health, and lifestyle. Here are some suggestions on what to do:
Evaluate your diet
Assess your eating habits and ensure you are consuming enough calories and nutrients to maintain a healthy weight. Consider consulting a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian for personalized dietary advice.
Monitor your physical activity
If you have been more active than usual, it could contribute to weight loss. While exercise is beneficial, excessive or intense physical activity without adequate calorie intake may lead to weight loss. Balance your activity levels with appropriate nutrition.
Review other medications and conditions
Certain medical conditions or other medications you may be taking could potentially contribute to weight loss. Discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider to rule out any underlying causes.
Stress and emotional factors
Stress, anxiety, or emotional changes can impact appetite and eating patterns, potentially leading to weight loss. Managing stress through relaxation techniques, counselling, or seeking support from friends and family may be beneficial.
Final words
To sum up, Flexeril is not associated with weight loss and there could be other factors contributing to it. If your weight loss continues or becomes concerning, it’s important to consult your healthcare provider.
They can assess your overall health, review your medication regimen, and investigate any underlying causes.
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References
1.-
Kobayashi H, Hasegawa Y, Ono H. Cyclobenzaprine, a centrally acting muscle relaxant, acts on descending serotonergic systems. Eur J Pharmacol. 1996 Sep 5;311(1):29-35. doi: 10.1016/0014-2999(96)00402-5. PMID: 8884233. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8884233/
2.-
Borenstein DG, Korn S. Efficacy of a low-dose regimen of cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride in acute skeletal muscle spasm: results of two placebo-controlled trials. Clin Ther. 2003 Apr;25(4):1056-73. doi: 10.1016/s0149-2918(03)80067-x. PMID: 12809957. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12809957/
3.-
Khan I, Kahwaji CI. Cyclobenzaprine. 2022 Sep 2. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30020734. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513362
