Efficacy of a low-dose regimen of cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride in acute skeletal muscle spasm: results of two placebo-controlled trials

Rinse the mouth to make sure all of the medicine have been swallowed. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Secondary endpoints included a physician’s evaluation of the presence and extent of palpable muscle spasm. In light of these findings, therapy with FLEXERIL in the elderly should be initiated with a 5 mg dose and titrated slowly upward. All patients suspected of an overdose with FLEXERIL should receive gastrointestinal decontamination.

The Problem with Muscle Relaxants – MedShadow Foundation

The Problem with Muscle Relaxants.

Posted: Wed, 29 Jan 2020 08:00:00 GMT [source]

It’s structurally similar to tricyclic antidepressants, though not used as an antidepressant treatment itself. Cyclobenzaprine is used to help relax certain muscles in your body. It helps relieve pain, stiffness, and discomfort caused by strains, sprains, or injuries to your muscles.

Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride

This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another condition unless your doctor directs you to do so. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy.

The incidence of drowsiness, the most frequent adverse reaction, was similar with both drugs. Some medicines can interact with cyclobenzaprine and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Ask your doctor before making any changes in how or when you take your medications. Cyclobenzaprine is used with rest, physical therapy, and other measures to relax muscles and relieve pain and discomfort caused by strains, sprains, and other muscle injuries.

An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet may cause drowsiness and dizziness. This is more likely to happen in the few hours after you take it. When flexeril and sleeping pills taking cyclobenzaprine for better sleep, our doctors advise taking a lower dosage of no more than 5 mg per night to avoid next-day drowsiness. The mild sedative effect of muscle relaxers make them great for sleep, but it can also make you tired the next day.

This depends on dosage, which can affect how long your next day drowsiness lasts and how severe it is. It’s recommended to take your dose 1 to 2 hours before bed, which will decrease your chances of experiencing side effects the next day. After taking it, you should be prepared for sleep, not driving home from work or preparing a hot meal.

During this time, it’s recommended to avoid drinking alcohol, operating machinery, driving, or any high performing tasks. Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Abuse of muscle relaxants alone is uncommon; often, it involves other substances. Eight double-blind controlled clinical studies were performed in 642 patients comparing FLEXERIL 10 mg, diazepam, and placebo.

How to use Flexeril Tablet

Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase. In patients with CNS depression, early intubation is advised because of the potential for abrupt deterioration. Seizures should be controlled with benzodiazepines or, if these are ineffective, other anticonvulsants (e.g. phenobarbital, phenytoin). Physostigmine is not recommended except to treat life-threatening symptoms that have been unresponsive to other therapies, and then only in close consultation with a poison control center.

• 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.
• Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur.
• In light of these findings, therapy with FLEXERIL in the elderly should be initiated with a 5 mg dose and titrated slowly upward.
• Severe CNS depression may result in significantly slowed breathing, over sedation, coma, and death.3 If you are unable to stop abusing one or more substance, it’s time to seek help.
• Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.
• Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

The time of peak concentration varies depending on the formulation of cyclobenzaprine. As always, if you have any questions about your cyclobenzaprine dosage, it’s best to consult with your doctor. To view formulary information first create a list of plans. Adding plans allows you to compare formulary status to other drugs in the same class. This medicine may cause some people to have blurred vision or to become drowsy, dizzy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert and able to see well.

Other Topics in Patient Care & Health Info

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. Severe CNS depression may result in significantly slowed breathing, over sedation, coma, and death.3 If you are unable to stop abusing one or more substance, it’s time to seek help.