Patient/caregiver was educated on the contraindications of using Flexeril as follows:
- Flexeril, especially when taken in high doses, carries the risk of depressing the cardiovascular center in the brain, which regulates the heart rate and blood pressure. Consequently, intake of flexeril can result in low heart rate and blood pressure. Hypotension and bradycardia, secondary to flexeril intake, can contribute to the confusion and dizziness, thus significantly increasing the risk for fall and accidents. This risk with flexeril can be even high when it is taken along with any other products and medications causing hypotension and bradycardia, such as, antihypertensives, antidepressants, antianxiety medications, and sedatives, and so, must be avoided.
- Flexeril could be avoided for a safer alternative or used with extreme caution in individuals with history of severe head injury and brain damage. Individuals with history of head injury and brain damage can be at high risk to present with severe depression of brain and associated respiratory and cardiovascular centers with flexeril, leading to complications such as, coma, respiratory arrest, dangerous hypotension, and bradycardia, which can be fatal.
- Flexeril use can also result in fast and pounding heartbeat. Individuals with history of cardiac arrhythmias can be at increased risk for precipitation of arrhythmic episodes with flexeril use and must be increasingly watchful to report worsening symptoms of arrhythmias, such as, chest pain, low blood pressure, confusion, dizziness, increasing shortness of breath, and worsening fatigue. Hypotension and irregular heartbeat, secondary to flexeril intake, can contribute to the confusion and dizziness, thus significantly increasing the risk for fall and accidents. Flexeril could best be avoided for a safer alternative or used with extra caution in individuals with history of life-threatening arrhythmias.
