Cyclobenzaprine

💊 What is Cyclobenzaprine used for?

• •The label says it is used, along with rest and physical therapy, to relieve muscle spasm linked to acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions. Relief means less spasm, pain, tenderness, limited movement, and trouble with daily activities. The label says it should be used only for short periods, up to two or three weeks, because evidence for longer use is not available. The label also says it has not been found effective for spasticity from brain or spinal cord disease, or in children with cerebral palsy.

How it works

How it is usually taken

• •The label says it is taken by mouth as tablets. The usual schedule described is several times a day, and the dose may be adjusted based on how a person responds. The label says it is not recommended for longer than two or three weeks. Less frequent dosing should be considered for people with liver impairment or older adults. Follow the instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Comes as

• •5 mg tablets
• •10 mg tablets

⚠️ Cyclobenzaprine side effects

🛑 Who should not take Cyclobenzaprine, and who should be careful

The label says not to take it if

• 🚨You are allergic to any component of this product.
• 🚨You take monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, or you have taken them within 14 days before stopping them.
• 🚨You are in the acute recovery phase of a heart attack.
• 🚨You have arrhythmias, heart block, conduction disturbances, or congestive heart failure.
• 🚨You have hyperthyroidism.

Tell your doctor before taking it if

• •The label warns that this medicine, especially with alcohol or other CNS depressants, may impair the ability to do hazardous tasks such as driving or operating machinery.
• •The label says older adults may have more frequent and more severe side effects.
• •The label says people with liver impairment may be more sensitive to sedating effects.
• •The label says to use caution if you have a history of urinary retention, angle-closure glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, or if you take anticholinergic medicine.
• •Tell your prescriber about all medicines you take, especially those that affect serotonin, because of the risk of serotonin syndrome.

🔀 Cyclobenzaprine with other medicines, food and alcohol

The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist

• •MAO inhibitors: the label says cyclobenzaprine may have life-threatening interactions with them, and the combination is contraindicated.
• •Serotonergic medicines, such as SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, tramadol, bupropion, meperidine, verapamil, and MAO inhibitors: the label reports serotonin syndrome with combined use, and careful observation is advised if the combination is clinically needed.
• •Alcohol, barbiturates, and other CNS depressants: the label says cyclobenzaprine may enhance their effects.
• •Guanethidine and similar compounds: the label says tricyclic antidepressants may block their blood pressure lowering action.
• •Tramadol: the label says tricyclic antidepressants may increase the seizure risk in patients taking tramadol.

Alcohol and food

The label says cyclobenzaprine may enhance the effects of alcohol, and warns that alcohol combined with it may impair mental and physical abilities. The label does not give information about food.

🤰 Cyclobenzaprine in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy

The label lists this as Pregnancy Category B. It says animal studies showed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus, but there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. The label says it should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Breastfeeding

The label says it is not known whether this drug is passed into human milk. Because it is closely related to tricyclic antidepressants, some of which are known to pass into milk, the label says caution should be used with nursing mothers.

🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much

Storage

The label says to store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F), with excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F).

If a dose is missed

The label does not say.

If too much is taken

The label says deaths are rare but may occur from overdose. It says signs of toxicity can develop rapidly, so hospital monitoring is needed as soon as possible, and it recommends contacting a poison control center. The most common effects are drowsiness and fast heartbeat, with less frequent effects including tremor, agitation, coma, and loss of coordination. The label excerpt is cut off, so seek emergency medical help right away if an overdose is suspected.

🗒️ Questions to ask about Cyclobenzaprine

• How long should I expect to take this medicine, given the label's two-to-three-week limit?
• Which of my current medicines could interact with cyclobenzaprine, especially those that affect serotonin?
• Is it safe for me to drive or operate machinery while taking this medicine?
• Does my liver condition or age change how this medicine is used for me?
• What should I do if I have signs of serotonin syndrome?
• Should I avoid alcohol while taking this medicine?

❓ Cyclobenzaprine: frequently asked questions