Flexeril - Cyclobenzeprine

Flexeril. By prescription only.

Cyclobenzeprine. Cyclobenzeprine is available in generic form, by prescription only.

Skeletal Muscle Relaxant. Cyclobenzeprine works on local muscles to relieve spasm. It is not effective for conditions involving the nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis. Cyclobenzeprine is used short-term, in conjunction with physical therapy and rest for acute cases of muscle injury, for example sprains and strains.

Duration should be between 2-3 weeks. Cyclobenzeprine is taken by mouth up to 3 times per day, unless otherwise prescribed by your doctor. DO NOT INCREASE YOUR DOSAGE! If you miss a dose, and it is now closer the time of the next dose, just resume taking the medication with the next scheduled time. Do not double dose to make up for a missed dosage.

Store cyclobenzeprine at 77 degress F (25 degrees C). For short periods of time storing cyclobenzeprine at room temprature (41 - 86 degrees F) is acceptable. Don't store cyclobenzeprine in the bathroom!

The most common side effects include:

• dry mouth
• drowsiness
• dizziness
• tiredness
• constipation
blurred vision
• unplesant taste
• nervousness
• confusion
• abdominal pain or discomfort

Serious side effects are rare, but if these do occur they require prompt medical attention 2:

• mental and mood changes, for example hallucinations and confusion
• difficulty in urinating
• dark urine
• fast, pounding and/or irregular heartbeat
• fainting
• yellowing of the eyes and/or skin
• stomach and/or abdominal pain
• persistant nausea, vomiting and/or lack of appetite
• seizures
• loss of coordination

The elderly will be more sensitive to the side effects associated with this disease. Pregnant women should use only when absolutely necessary; the drug might pass on to the breast milk.

Because side effects include dizziness and drowsiness, exercise caution when deciding to drive a car or operate machinery. Alcohol will amplify these side effects, and is best limited, to prevent injury or accident.

Careful! MAO inhibitors may cause serious, or even fatal results when interacting with cyclobenzeprine. See the next section for details.

Always communicate the following with your doctor:

• allergies, especially to Flexeril
• overactive thyroid
• arrhythmia
• any other heart problems including congestive heart failure, heart block or conduction disorders
• recent heart attack
• liver disease
• urinary retention
• glaucoma
• MAO inhibitors (see the list below).

IMPORTANT! If you take MAO inhibitors:
Stop taking the following drugs 2 weeks before taking cyclobenzeprine. Don't resume taking them until you have stopped the cyclobenzeprine for 2 weeks:

• furazolidone
• isocarboxazid
• linezolid
• moclobemide
• phenelzine
• procarbazine
• selegiline[/il]
• tranylcypromine

Certain types of other medications (asthma, weight loss, stimulants, drugs that cause drowsiness and tricyclic antidepressants, to name a few) may cause drug interaction problems. Tell your doctor EVERYTHING you are taking! For more information use the Drug Finder.


Bibliography
1 Cyclobenzeprine Oral. Rx Patient Drug Information from First DataBank 6.8.05. Rx List, The Internet Drug Index. Retrieved from: http://www.rxlist.com/drugs/drug-11372-Flexeril+Oral.aspx?drugid=11372&drugname=Flexeril+Oral January 30, 2006.

2 MedicineNet. 5.11.98. Retrieved from: http://www.medicinenet.com/cyclobenzaprine/article.htm January 30, 2006.

3. Malanga, Gerard, MD. Muscle Relaxants in the Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain, Types of Muscle Relaxing Medication: Part 4. Spine Universe. Retrieved from: http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article1833.html. January 29, 2006.


Date Created: January 30, 2006.