Flexeril and Dry Mouth: What Users Say

• Wor...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 16, 2014

For Muscle Spasm "I find Flexeril 'tops' for killing muscle pain associated with spasm, knots and/or injury. Compared to Valium (which I also have), the Flexeril does a better job for the actual pain & spasm. However, Flexeril does have heavy side effects which could discourage first-time users: - Dry mouth and eyes. - A 'tight feeling' of the upper chest & bronchioles (very similar to what a high dose of Benadryl does). - Slightly blurry vision. - A substantial drowsiness which, for me, occurs about 4 hours after taking the dose. It becomes a struggle to stay awake. Definitely never go above the recommended dose - because of the harsh side effects."

• Ani...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2018

For Muscle Spasm "I injured my back at age 24 and have had flare-ups over the years. I'm now almost 60, and back pain is almost a daily thing. Being barely able to walk, I went to my PCP to get something for it, but she's a die-hard 'no opioids or controlled substances of any kind.' Instead, she gave me Flexeril - 10 mg twice a day. I had never taken them before and didn't have much hope for pain relief. But, I was wrong. After taking them for a few days, I felt like a different person. Now I only take as needed. I've had no side effects except for dry mouth. Not even the 'loopiness' or drowsiness she had warned me about."

• sle...
• December 11, 2014

For Muscle Spasm "Yikes! I don't like taking medication of any kind. I've had a frozen shoulder for 8 months and am ready to gnaw off my own arm from the pain and lack of mobility. My PCP prescribed this for shoulder impingement. I took half of a 10 at 8 pm and slept all night. I do have a very dry mouth and feel hung-over this morning. I'd reserve this for bedtime use only."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2015

For Muscle Spasm "My doctor prescribed 10 mg Flexeril three times per day for a painful and crippling muscle spasm in my lower back. The dosage helped relax my back, but it also relaxed everything else in my body. I had difficulty controlling my extremities, as if they were detached from the rest of my body. Sometimes I didn't have enough control of my tongue to speak clearly. Sometimes I felt weak and uncoordinated, for example, I had to take my time going up and down stairs. I felt generally sleepy and spaced out most of the time, and felt thirstier than usual. I also needed more sleep than usual, 10 hours. Overall effective for helping my condition, but the side effects were a little frightening."

• NNG...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2013

For Sciatica "Well, I was just prescribed Flexeril yesterday for the pain I was experiencing from a L5-S1 herniated disc & sciatica. It made me feel like a zombie about an hour & 1/2 after taking it. I took a shower, and after getting out, I had no strength in my arms or legs. Dry mouth & lower leg pains when laying in bed later. It did help with the pain but will be taking only 1/2 a pill as needed vs the 10 mg 3 times daily."

• TYK...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2019

For Muscle Spasm "I was involved in a rear-end collision, experienced extreme neck, shoulder, and arm pain. Ibuprofen 600 mg and 10 mg Flexeril for my neck sprain, then told to stretch the muscles to keep them from locking up. I took my first dose last night, I don't even remember going to sleep, but I didn't have the pain anymore. I woke up today feeling like I have a hangover, dizziness, and my mouth was extremely dry. So, I tried to avoid taking the meds this morning for a couple of hours. Now, it is midday and the pain hasn't stopped, so I took another pill. In my opinion, Flexeril is a good pill for relaxing your muscles, especially if you're going to physical therapy. I don't recommend driving or doing anything while on this medication."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2025

For Muscle Spasm "For context, I had an issue with my hip for about 2 months that was diagnosed as SI joint inflammation; I also have several chronic conditions. I was prescribed a Medrol dose pack and 5 mg Flexeril three times daily as needed for muscle spasms. Because of what I do for work, I have only been taking it before bed. The cyclobenzaprine makes me mildly tired, blocks most of the pain signals, and I wake feeling energized with a little bit of dry mouth. The troubling side effect is the weird dreams. They are mundane in nature but take weird and violent turns. In one dream, I was at work and was almost killed by a new coworker who turned out to be a serial killer; in another dream, I had bought a house and was moving things in, but now had to take care of some $8k marine fish that was left behind; and in another, I was in a panicked frenzy looking for my socks so I could go home. I don't mind the dreams once I wake up and realize they are dreams; it's just a little jarring in the moment."

• Art...
• April 22, 2017

For Muscle Spasm "Stay away from this garbage. I was stupid enough to try it for 3 days, 10 mg before bedtime. All those days, I was like a zombie. Dry mouth. Crazy dreams. Constant nausea. Stomach stabbing pain. No energy at all. Sleepy during the day and crazy at night. I don't know who's writing positive reviews, maybe pharma people, lol. Do your research. Stay away from this drug!"

• boo...
• December 2, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "I have had fibromyalgia for over 15 years. When my muscles feel extremely tight, I definitely hurt more. Thank God for Flexeril! I take 10 mg before bed, and this helps me to sleep and feel less muscle pain. I tried to live without this medicine for 1 week, and my pain level went up considerably, along with many more muscle spasms and tightness. I do have a dry mouth, especially after I wake up. I do work night shifts as a nurse, this helps me to get better sleep, in turn making me feel better after I get up."

• Rus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2018

For Sciatica "Bad disc in neck causing severe muscle spasms. This provided great relief, but had all the side effects. Dry mouth, bloating, brain in a fog. I only took 0.5 per day for 5 straight days. I am stopping now to clear my brain."

• Oka...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 22, 2019

For Muscle Spasm "I have severe back spasms in my lower and mid back sections. This medication works, however, I feel like a complete zombie when I wake up. I'm super tired for another day or two after a 15-milligram dose. Dry mouth is a huge factor for me, but staying hydrated is a great way to keep dry mouth at bay."

• whi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2013

"Took for lower back pain. Definitely made me drowsy, dry mouth, and throat. It did not relax me. I found myself tightening the muscles all over my body to compensate for feeling so tired and weak to be able to move, stand, and walk with the pain. Did nothing for the pain and was so drowsy I had difficulty focusing through it to function. I did lay down to try to relax and breathe through and ended up passing out for over 4 hours. I guess it was good to get some rest, but not having a choice about it... very uncomfortable with that idea."

• OAM...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 13, 2017

For Muscle Spasm "I first tried this for severe lower back spasms. The doc warned me I would feel 'hung over' the first few days, which was true. Start with a low dose and ramp up if needed. The first a.m. I shrugged my shoulders and thought, 'Wow-this is what it's like to be normal!' (I had wrecked my neck in a parachute accident several years before). BONUS: I had been waking up at 1-3 a.m. every morning and was not able to go back to sleep. This med solved that problem. At the same time, I was able to get up in the middle of the night, take care of my toddler, then go back to sleep without a problem. CON: it causes dry mouth, which leads to dental problems. Sad. I take it only a few times a year now. (I took it every night for several years)."

• Anonymous
• November 11, 2011

For Muscle Spasm "I was prescribed 10 mg Flexeril after pulling an abdominal muscle, which led to spasms. The Flexeril made the pain and spasms stop, but gave me severe dry mouth and made me so dizzy I couldn't get to sleep."

• chi...
• July 10, 2009

For Muscle Spasm "I went to my internal medicine doctor on June 10. Told her about my right shoulder hurting - she gave me Flexeril and naproxen together - they work for my condition: rotator cuff. I've taken Flexeril in the past for muscle spasms. The only side effect with it is dry mouth. I don't have any side effects with naproxen."

• Meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 1, 2020

For Muscle Spasm "I was apprehensive about taking this after reading the reviews, but my experience has been positive. I had jaw surgery 6.5 weeks ago, and at about 5 weeks, my left condyle slipped off the disc and stayed there (slipped TMJ disc). I couldn't open my mouth anymore without sharp pain. Swallowing hurt, talking hurt, sometimes even moving my head hurt. It was like this for 6 days before I was able to see my surgeon and get a prescription. The next day after I started Flexeril, the pain improved. The day after, I could chew a little. Today is day four, and I'm amazed at how much better my joint feels, I can open comfortably, and I'm not in constant pain anymore. The side effects for me have been minimal. Maybe a little more tired, but honestly, I hardly notice. My mouth is a bit dry too. The great irony, however, is that I still get jaw spasms. On that count, it's been completely ineffective. But they don't bother me too much, I only get a few per day, and if I open too wide."

• Jua...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2018

"Bad car wreck left me with damaged nerves in the entire left side of my body, it feels like it is ruined. The wreck was approximately 7 months ago. I was prescribed cyclobenzaprine just about 4 days ago and took it in combination with nabumetone 500 mg. It helped with the spasms, but I feel as if the side effects outweigh the good that it's done so far. Haven't eaten in almost an entire day because the dry mouth and throat won't let me. Even tried creamy oatmeal, and I just don't feel like eating it at all. Even tried eating a banana but only ended up taking about 3 bites of it before throwing it away. I definitely feel as if this prescription might not be right for whatever my condition might be. I'm only 25 years old, by the way. My PCP prescribed cyclobenzaprine 5 mg tablets twice a day."

• Jua...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2018

"Bad car wreck left me with damaged nerves in the entire left side of my body, it feels like it is ruined. The wreck was approximately 7 months ago. I was prescribed cyclobenzaprine just about 4 days ago and took it in combination with nabumetone 500 mg. It helped with the spasms, but I feel as if the side effects outweigh the good that it's done so far. Haven't eaten in almost an entire day because the dry mouth and throat won't let me. Even tried creamy oatmeal, and I just don't feel like eating it at all. Even tried eating a banana but only ended up taking about 3 bites of it before throwing it away. I definitely feel as if this prescription might not be right for whatever my condition might be. I'm only 25 years old, by the way. My PCP prescribed cyclobenzaprine 5 mg tablets twice a day."

• Anonymous
• August 17, 2010

For Sciatica "Dry mouth is a side effect that is most unpleasant."

• Anonymous
• September 24, 2010

For Muscle Spasm "I took Flexeril for my back, and it did help, but it made me extremely tired and gave me bad cotton mouth. I would take it and be drowsy for 16 hours afterward."

• Anonymous
• December 16, 2009

For Muscle Spasm "I noticed severe constipation, dry mouth, and I was very forgetful after taking the medication."

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 24, 2022

For Muscle Spasm "Gave me horrible dry mouth and bad taste in my mouth all the time. It worked on mild muscle spasms but did little for more severe ones."