Cyclobenzaprine: Side Effects, dosage, uses, and more

It is given to patients who are more likely to abuse opiate pain killers and is considered less risky for abuse and addiction. Cyclobenzaprine’s plasma concentrations average 40% higher in the elderly, making these patients more at risk of the drug’s harmful effects. The drug is also eliminated more slowly in this age group. However, the half-life of immediate-release cyclobenzaprine is 18 hours on average, with a range of 8-37 hours. The extended-release form typically has a half-life of hours. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.

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The results suggest that cyclobenzaprine is superior to both placebo and clonazepam when added to self-care and education for the management of jaw pain upon awakening. In this study cyclobenzaprine (10mg/d) failed to significantly improve sleep in the short term but this may have been due to the relatively low dose employed. The usual dose is 5–10mg three times daily and treatment for more than 2–3 weeks is not recommended. I had been prescribed this drug for back pain and to help with muscle spasms.

cyclobenzaprine (Rx)

Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment with Flexeril. It is unknown if Flexeril passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so.

In some cases, Flexeril can be used in order to treat pain from certain musculoskeletal disorders like fibromyalgia. Flexeril works by acting on the central nervous system, blocking pain sensations that would otherwise travel from sore and spasming muscles to the brain. This pain-blocking mechanism can contribute to abuse of the medication and may result in Flexeril addiction. The physical effects of Flexeril include relaxation to the muscles. If a person is experiencing muscular pain from an injury, Flexeril controls the spasms that result in pain. It produces a relaxing effect that one might consider a Flexeril high.

Abuse of cyclobenzaprine is relatively rare but most often occurs in the context of other substance use. Polydrug abuse can cause serious harm, especially when the combination includes CNS depressing substances such as benzodiazepines and alcohol. If you’re taking Flexeril non-medically for a high—with or without other drugs—treatment for substance abuse can prevent you from suffering a dangerous overdose. Cyclobenzaprine is a drug prescribed to treat pain and discomfort. This page will go over its side effects, drug interactions, and treatment for misuse. Eight double-blind controlled clinical studies were performed in 642 patients comparing FLEXERIL 10 mg, diazepam, and placebo.

Due to the lack of data in subjects with more severe hepatic insufficiency, the use of FLEXERIL in subjects with moderate to severe impairment is not recommended. Cyclobenzaprine reduced or abolished skeletal muscle hyperactivity in several animal models. Animal studies indicate that cyclobenzaprine does not act at the neuromuscular junction or directly on skeletal muscle. Evidence suggests that the net effect of cyclobenzaprine is a reduction of tonic somatic motor activity, influencing both gamma (γ) and alpha (α) motor systems. Acute recovery phase of myocardial infarction, and patients with arrhythmias, heart block or conduction disturbances, or congestive heart failure.

Interactions that can increase the effect of cyclobenzaprine

As with all medications, the costs of cyclobenzaprine can vary. Cyclobenzaprine is usually taken once daily for only 2 or 3 weeks. Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions very carefully. It works by blocking nerve impulses (or pain sensations) that are sent to your brain. A long-acting formulation of cyclobenzaprine has been introduced and is believed by some clinicians to have a lower side effect profile than the immediate-release formulation of this drug. Do not use the extended-release capsules if you have used an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate® within 14 days of each other.

• Tricyclic antidepressants have been reported to produce arrhythmias, sinus tachycardia, prolongation of the conduction time leading to myocardial infarction and stroke.
• An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works.
• Seizures should be controlled with benzodiazepines or, if these are ineffective, other anticonvulsants (e.g. phenobarbital, phenytoin).
• This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
• It’s not considered a dangerous method of getting rid of specific muscular pain.

Cyclobenzaprine can increase the effects of CNS depressants, such as alcohol, opioids, allergy medications, and sleeping pills. This enables the provider to evaluate for any potential interactions and helps them keep the patient safe. Even if it feels like the effects of cyclobenzaprine have worn off, the drug may not be completely eliminated from flexeril.live the body yet and could cause serious interactions with other substances. Signs of overdose include chest pain, hallucinations, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, slurred speech, difficulty breathing, and extreme drowsiness. The risk of overdose is significantly increased when Flexeril is combined with other drugs, particularly alcohol or Benzodiazepines.

For immediate-release cyclobenzaprine, peak time is around 4 hours. Everyone metabolizes drugs differently, which means the effects and total duration of medication can range from person to person and, in some cases, even day to day. As a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, cyclobenzaprine works by blocking pain sensations sent from the brain, helping to relax muscles and relieve tension. It’s structurally similar to tricyclic antidepressants, though not used as an antidepressant treatment itself. Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.