Flexeril, Amrix cyclobenzaprine dosing, indications, interactions, adverse effects, and more

Ask your online doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about why a medication is prescribed. Cyclobenzaprine comes as a tablet and an extended-release capsule to take by mouth. The tablet is usually taken with or without food three times a day.

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Taking more may result in adverse Flexeril side effects or overdose. If cyclobenzaprine is beingmisused, however, the person may continue to take the medication for much longer and may increase their dose too high, which could lead to dangerous side effects and overdose. Cyclobenzaprine usually begins working about one hour after it is ingested, relaxing muscles and relieving muscle spasms. Formulations include immediate-release and extended-release. If you are prescribed cyclobenzaprine, follow your healthcare provider’s directions for how to take it.

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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. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company. Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. 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.

• Avoid or limit the use of alcohol or other sedating medicines while being treated with cyclobenzaprine.
• Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely.
• Contact your care team if the problem does not go away or is severe.
• If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
• It is unknown if Flexeril passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby.

Only drive or use hazardous machinery once you know how Flexeril affects you. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine.

The efficacy of FLEXERIL 5 mg was demonstrated in two seven-day, double-blind, controlled clinical trials enrolling 1405 patients. One study compared FLEXERIL 5 mg and 10 mg t.i.d. to placebo; and a second study compared FLEXERIL 5 mg and 2.5 mg t.i.d. to placebo. Primary endpoints for both trials were determined by patient-generated data and included global impression of change, medication helpfulness, and relief from starting backache. Each endpoint consisted of a score on a 5-point rating scale (from 0 or worst outcome to 4 or best outcome).

Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) Side Effects

Because cyclobenzaprine is closely related to the tricyclic antidepressants, some of which are known to be excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when FLEXERIL is administered to a nursing woman. Less frequent dosing should be considered for hepatically impaired or elderly patients (see PRECAUTIONS, Impaired Hepatic Function, and Use in the Elderly). Our Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

Outpatient treatment approaches vary in length but often consist of a half-day group therapy program in which any necessary medications are managed by an outside healthcare provider. Flexeril is an effective pharmacological treatment for muscle spasms and pain, but it can lead to an increased risk of side effects and dependency when mixed with alcohol. If you or a loved one has been prescribed Flexeril but are no longer using it as prescribed or you’re combining it with alcohol, it may be time to seek help. A number of treatment approaches are available to help treat Flexeril and alcohol addiction.

In case of acute cyclobenzaprine overdose, emergency medicine physicians and triage nurses should stabilize the patient. If EKG demonstrates QRS prolongation, the clinician should initiate sodium bicarbonate therapy. In severe overdose, ventricular arrhythmias and seizures may require MICU-level of care under the supervision of a critical care physician. As discussed above, the clinician should consider contacting the poison control center in refractory cases. A psychiatrist consult is required for deliberate poisoning of cyclobenzaprine.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Analysis of the data from controlled studies shows that FLEXERIL produces clinical improvement whether or not sedation occurs. Tricyclic antidepressants have been what does generic flexeril look like reported to produce arrhythmias, sinus tachycardia, prolongation of the conduction time leading to myocardial infarction and stroke. Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Flexeril only for the indication prescribed.

Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with this medication. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking this medication. If you are taking another medication that also causes drowsiness, you may have more side effects.