Flexeril, which has the generic name cyclobenzaprine, may just be a muscle relaxant, but it can also be very addictive if taken for too long. For this reason, it's possible that it could show up on a drug test, but this will not always be the case. So, when does Flexeril show up on a drug test, and what can you do about it?
Why might Flexeril be tested for?
You may wonder why a muscle-relaxing medication would show up on a drug test, but Flexeril is actually structurally similar to tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). As these drugs can affect your mentation, they may be of interest in certain drug tests.
So, when does Flexeril show up on a drug test?
Firstly, a typical 5-panel drug test does not look for tricyclic antidepressants, so you will not need to worry about failing for Flexeril. If you are absolutely sure that you will be taking such a test, you do not need to take any further action.
Unfortunately, extended drug tests are becoming increasingly commonplace, because 5-panel drug tests simply do not reflect modern-day drug use. For example, they skip drugs like synthetic opioids and benzos. Extended drug tests therefore look for a much wider range of drugs, with testing devices typically having 10 or 12 panels.
Unlike with standard 5-panel drug tests, there are currently no federally mandated standards to follow, so these extended drug tests vary in terms of what drugs they look for. Some may look for TCAs, while others might not. There are also specific tests available for TCAs.
How to avoid failing for Flexeril
Based on the above, you may decide there is a real risk of failing your drug test because of Flexeril. If you can provide a prescription for it, however, it should not lead to any negative consequences.
If you are unable or unwilling to provide a prescription, perhaps because you prefer to keep your medical condition private, you may want to avoid failing the drug test altogether. One way to achieve this is to use a detox drink before your drug test.
Urination is your body's main mechanism of expelling toxins, so drug metabolites inevitably collect in the urine. This is why urine testing is the most common form of drug testing, but it does have one large flaw: The concentration of drug metabolites determines if you get a positive or negative result, yet this is not constant.
This is where your detox drink or detox pills come in useful. When used with a prescribed amount of water, these products stimulate your urinary system into action. You then need to pee at least a couple of times over the next hour or so, as this will flush the toxins from your bladder.
When you then go to your drug test, the sample you give will have lower levels of drug metabolites in it. Special ingredients in the detox product will also ensure that your urine maintains a typical appearance and has the right qualities to pass the adulterant test.
