Can you take muscle relaxers with glaucoma?

FLEXERIL (cyclobenzaprine), SOMA (carisoprodol), SKELAXIN (metaxalone), and NORFLEX are commonly used muscle relaxants. These should generally not be used in patients with a history of urinary retention or glaucoma.


Do muscle relaxers affect eyes?

Common side effects of Flexeril include: dry mouth or throat. headache. blurred vision.

What medications should you avoid with glaucoma?

Closed-Angle Glaucoma: Medicines to Avoid
  • Antihistamines and decongestants.
  • Asthma medicines.
  • Motion sickness medicines.
  • Some medicines used to treat depression (tricyclic antidepressants).


What medications make glaucoma worse?

These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac (fluoxetine) and Paxil (paroxetine). Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil (amitriptyline) and Tofranil (imipramine) may also have some anticholinergic activity and thus should be used in caution in patients with narrow angles.

Who should not use muscle relaxers?

The Geriatric Lexi-Drugs database recommends the avoidance of muscle relaxants other than diazepam and tizanidine in patients older than age 65 years because efficacy and safety have not been established in geriatric patients.


Do Muscle Relaxers STOP PAIN? How They Work & Answers To Common Concerns



Why do doctors not prescribe muscle relaxers?

Addiction, Overdose, and Death. These highly addictive muscle relaxers should never be prescribed for more than two-three weeks, preferably for shorter periods. The risk of addiction is so high with muscle relaxers that it outweighs any potential benefit, especially after a few weeks.

When should you not take muscle relaxers?

“Patients should not use muscle relaxers for more than two or three weeks, except if directed by their healthcare provider,” says Queen Buyalos, pharmacist and founder of ZLA Medical Writing. “Taking muscle relaxers longer than two or three weeks may increase the chances of falls, drug dependence, and abuse.

What can I take for pain if I have glaucoma?

Use eyedrops exactly as directed by your doctor. Ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter pain medicine if needed, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). Read and follow all instructions on the label.


Does Tylenol affect glaucoma?

Non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs can contribute to glaucoma risk. They include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Bayer, Aleve), flurbiprofen, ketoprofen and naproxen sodium. Also Tylenol (acetaminophen), though not an NSAID, can be harmful.

What causes glaucoma to flare up?

Most cases are caused by a build-up of pressure in the eye when fluid is unable to drain properly. This increase in pressure then damages the nerve that connects the eye to the brain (optic nerve).

What can worsen glaucoma?

High trans fats have been proven to cause damage to the optic nerve. Time to cut out fried foods, baked goods and any product with an ingredient list that includes hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. Saturated foods that include red meat, beef, lard, shortening and oils can also worsen glaucoma.


What should you avoid doing if you have glaucoma?

So, What Foods Should You Avoid If You Have Glaucoma?
  • Caffeine. Some studies suggest caffeine increases intraocular pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure. ...
  • Saturated Fats. ...
  • Trans Fats. ...
  • Weight-Lifting. ...
  • Scuba Diving. ...
  • Bungee Jumping. ...
  • Yoga.


What activities worsen glaucoma?

Try to avoid anaerobic exercises if you have symptoms of glaucoma, including: Sprinting while running, biking or swimming. Situps and pullups. Weightlifting.

Does Flexeril affect eye pressure?

Dry mouth, tiredness, dizziness, headache, difficulty with urination, nausea, an increase in eye pressure, and blurred vision have also been reported.


Is it OK to take muscle relaxers?

It is unsafe to take a muscle relaxer without following the recommendations on the prescription label. Prolonged usage can lead to physical addiction problems, which is why they are recommended for short-term use to calm a spastic muscle.

What is a mild muscle relaxer?

Taken as 800 mg tablets 3 to 4 times a day, metaxalone (Skelaxin) has the fewest reported side effects and lowest sedation potential of the muscle relaxants based on clinical studies. Simply put, it is the best-tolerated of the muscle relaxants.

What is the safest drug for glaucoma?

Prostaglandin eye drops are considered the most effective class of medication for glaucoma. They also only need to be used once daily and don't usually cause a lot of side effects.


Can I take Benadryl if I have glaucoma?

For most people with glaucoma, antihistamines pose no risks.

Can you take Xanax if you have glaucoma?

Benzodiazepines (applies to Xanax) closed-angle glaucoma

The manufacturers consider the use of benzodiazepines to be contraindicated in patients with acute angle-closure glaucoma or untreated open-angle glaucoma.

Can you take Flexeril if you have glaucoma?

FLEXERIL (cyclobenzaprine), SOMA (carisoprodol), SKELAXIN (metaxalone), and NORFLEX are commonly used muscle relaxants. These should generally not be used in patients with a history of urinary retention or glaucoma.


Can you use gabapentin if you have glaucoma?

Results: Gabapentin provided significant pain relief (on a 0-10 scale, reduction from "8" to "0-2") at regular visits over 6 months. Conclusions: Gabapentin may relieve pain in a painful, blind, glaucomatous eye.

Is glaucoma considered a disability?

The fact is that more than a million people are diagnosed with glaucoma each year and for many of those people glaucoma makes it too difficult to work. If you have glaucoma and you can't work because of it you can file a claim for Social Security disability benefits.

What is the best medication to relax muscles?

Antispasmodics: Centrally Acting Skeletal Muscle Relaxers
  • Carisoprodol (Soma) Carisoprodol is a centrally acting muscle relaxant. ...
  • Chlorzoxazone (Lorzone, Parafon Forte DSC, Remular-S) ...
  • Cyclobenzaprine (Amrix) ...
  • Metaxalone (Skelaxin) ...
  • Methocarbamol (Robaxin) ...
  • Orphenadrine (Norflex) ...
  • Baclofen (Ozobax) ...
  • Tizanidine (Zaniflex)


Is gabapentin a muscle relaxer?

Gabapentin is an anticonvulsive medication that originally saw use as a muscle relaxer and anti-spasmodic medication, but later it was discovered it had the potential of the medication as anticonvulsive medication and as an adjunct to more potent anticonvulsants.

What is the most commonly prescribed muscle relaxer?

Common Muscle Relaxants
  • Baclofen. Muscle tightness and muscle spasms, including those related to spine injuries, may be eased with baclofen. ...
  • Benzodiazepines. In addition to treating anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, and seizure disorders, such as epilepsy, benzodiazepines can also treat muscle spasms and skeletal pain.