Flexeril - Cyclobenzeprine

Brand Name :

Flexeril. By prescription only.

Generic Name:

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

Class and Drug Action:

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.

Appropriate Usage:

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.

Storage:

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!

Side Effects:

The most common side effects include:

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

More Serious Side Effects:

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

Precautions:

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.

More Precautions - Drug Interactions:

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

Communicating with your Doctor is VERY IMPORTANT:

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.