Index
This medication is often part of a general recovery plan that includes rest and physical therapy.
Cyclobenzaprine (generic form of brand-name drugs Flexeril and Amrix) is a muscle relaxant that relieves pain and discomfort caused by strains, sprains, and other muscle injuries.
It is also available under the Fexmid and FusePaq brands.
Cyclobenzaprine is also prescribed off-label to treat fibromyalgia.
Mechanism of action
Cyclobenzaprine acts on the central nervous system, blocking the nerve impulses (or pain sensations) sent from the sore muscles to your brain. Cyclobenzaprine is chemically related to a class of antidepressants called tricyclic antidepressants.
Cyclobenzaprine was approved for the first time by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1977 under the brand Flexeril, which PD-RX Pharmaceuticals currently manufacture.
Warnings
Do not take cyclobenzaprine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) in the last two weeks. MAOIs used to treat depression, and Parkinson’s disease includes:
- Isocarboxazid (Marplan).
- Linezolid (Zyvox).
- Phenelzine (Nardil).
- Rasagiline (Azilect).
- Selegiline (Emsam).
- Tranylcypromine (Parnate).
Combining an MAOI with cyclobenzaprine can cause severe and life-threatening side effects.
Do not take this medicine if you have a history of heart problems, including a previous heart attack, heart rhythm problems, blockages, or congestive heart failure.
People over 65 should not take this medicine because the side effects may be more extreme. Other medications can be used to treat your safer and more effective condition if you are in this age group.
Patients with hepatic impairment are generally more susceptible to drugs with potentially sedating effects, such as cyclobenzaprine.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any medication for depression, seizures, allergies, coughs or colds, or if you take sedatives, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, or vitamins.
Before prescribing this medication, your healthcare provider should also know if you have ever been diagnosed with an overactive thyroid or glaucoma or if you have ever had difficulty urinating.
It would help if you always inform your health professional about prescription, non-prescription, illegal and recreational medicines, herbal remedies, dietary and nutritional supplements, and other drugs and treatments.
“High” cyclobenzaprine and abuse
Numerous online and anecdotal reports suggest that some people abuse cyclobenzaprine for a “high” narcotic effect because it can cause drowsiness.
Cyclobenzaprine can induce moderate to severe anticholinergic effects; that is, it can alter the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain at higher doses. This can lead to physical and mental deterioration.
At even higher doses, cyclobenzaprine can cause severe ataxia, a neurological condition where you lose control of your muscle movements.
According to the Los Angeles forensic office, singer Whitney Houston had five drugs in her system when she drowned in her hotel’s bathtub in 2012, including cyclobenzaprine.
Take cyclobenzaprine only as directed by your doctor, and keep this and all other medications away from children, adolescents, and anyone for whom the drug has not been prescribed.
Pregnancy
Discuss a current or planned pregnancy with your doctor before taking cyclobenzaprine. This medicine should only be taken during pregnancy if the benefits outweigh the risks. Your doctor can help you decide if it is right for you.
Also, tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to do so in the future. It is unknown if cyclobenzaprine passes into breast milk, but studies show it has happened with similar medications.
Side effects of cyclobenzaprine
Common side effects of cyclobenzaprine include:
- Drowsiness.
- Dizziness.
- Dry mouth.
- Constipation.
- Fatigue.
Tell your doctor if any of these side effects persist or worsen.
Serious side effects of cyclobenzaprine include:
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
- Mood or mental changes (such as confusion or hallucinations)
- Problems are urinating.
- Chest pain.
- Fever.
- Convulsions
A severe allergic reaction is rare, but seek immediate medical attention if you develop any of the following:
- Eruption.
- Itch.
- Swelling (especially on the face, tongue, or throat)
- Severe dizziness
- Difficulty breathing.
Combining this medication with some antidepressant medications could cause serotonin syndrome and be fatal. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include:
- Confusion.
- Agitation or restlessness
- Dilated pupils.
- Headache.
- Changes in blood pressure.
- Changes in body temperature.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Severe diarrhea
- Rapid heart rate
- Loss of muscle coordination or spasms.
- Trembling or chills.
- Heavy sweating
Interactions
Taking cyclobenzaprine with an MAOI can cause a life-threatening reaction.
In at least one clinical study, the risk of serotonin syndrome (excessive serotonin in the brain leading to a potentially fatal combination of symptoms) occurred in patients who mixed cyclobenzaprine with serotonergic drugs such as duloxetine (Cymbalta).
Cyclobenzaprine may also interact with central nervous systems (CNS) depressants such as opioids, benzodiazepines, non-benzodiazepines, phenothiazines, certain chemotherapies, and barbiturates.
Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline (Elavil) and imipramine (Tofranil), combined with cyclobenzaprine, may also increase side effects.
Alcohol and cyclobenzaprine:
This medicine may cause drowsiness. Drinking alcohol may increase this effect. For your safety, avoid drinking alcohol while taking cyclobenzaprine.
Dosage
Cyclobenzaprine is taken orally. It is presented as a tablet and a prolonged-release capsule. Your doctor may prescribe 5 milligrams of the regular-release tablet three times a day. The extended-release tablet is dosed once a day. This dose may increase if you are not receiving pain relief.
This medicine should not be taken long-term. Studies show that pain decreases during the first two weeks, peaking in the first few days, but has no proven benefit.
Do not take this medication for more than three weeks without consulting your doctor. Patients with liver problems or those older than 65 may start with lower doses. Always take cyclobenzaprine with a full glass of water and always swallow all the medication.
Cyclobenzaprine overdose
Symptoms of cyclobenzaprine overdose include:
- Chest pain.
- Convulsions
- Hallucinations
- He retched.
- Fast beats
- Drowsiness.
