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Cyclobenzaprine

Common Brand Name(s): Amrix, Fexmid, Flexeril

Common Generic Name(s): cyclobenzaprine, cyclobenzaprine HCl, cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride

Pronunciation: SYE-kloe-BEN-za-preen

Drug Classes: muscle relaxant

Availability: prescription only, generic available

What is cyclobenzaprine?

Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant. It works by blocking nerve impulses (or pain sensations) that are sent to your brain. Cyclobenzaprine is used together with rest and physical therapy to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain or injury.

Cyclobenzaprine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

extended-release (ER) capsules: 15 mg and 30 mg

immediate-release (IR) tablets: 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg

Warnings

You should not use cyclobenzaprine if you have an allergy to the medication, a certain type of thyroid disorder (hyperthyroidism), heart block, congestive heart failure, a heart rhythm disorder, or you have recently had a heart attack.

Do not use cyclobenzaprine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use cyclobenzaprine if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

hyperthyroidism;

heart block, heart rhythm disorder, congestive heart failure; or

if you have recently had a heart attack.

Cyclobenzaprine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 15 years old.

Do not use cyclobenzaprine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

Some medicines can interact with cyclobenzaprine and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Be sure your doctor knows if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. Ask your doctor before making any changes in how or when you take your medications.

To make sure cyclobenzaprine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

thyroid disease;

liver disease;

glaucoma;

enlarged prostate; or

problems with urination.

It is not known whether cyclobenzaprine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine.

Dosing

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. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For relaxing stiff muscles:

For oral dosage form (extended-release capsules):

Adults—15 milligrams (mg) once a day. Some patients may need 30 mg (one 30 mg capsule or two 15 mg capsules) per day.

Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .

For oral dosage form (tablets):

Adults and children 15 years of age and older—10 milligrams (mg) 3 times a day. The largest amount should be no more than 60 mg (six 10-mg tablets) a day.

Children younger than 15 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?

Yes. If you have liver problems or you’re over 65, you may need less frequent doses, or to avoid cyclobenzaprine altogether. It’s also possible you may need a dosage adjustment due to another medication you’re taking. Side effects may be worse if you take other medications that interact with cyclobenzaprine. Ask your provider or pharmacist to check for interactions before starting treatment.

Dosage for people with liver problems

Cyclobenzaprine is broken down (metabolized) by the liver. If your liver isn’t working normally, cyclobenzaprine can build up in your body. This can lead to side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, and headaches.

If you have liver damage, you may need a lower dose of cyclobenzaprine. Or you may need to avoid it altogether. So make sure your healthcare provider is aware of your medical history before starting cyclobenzaprine.

Good to know: Cyclobenzaprine capsules can’t be split. So reducing your dose for liver damage isn’t possible with them. This is why it’s best to avoid the capsules completely if you have any degree of liver damage.

Dosage for people age 65 or older

As you age, medications are more likely to build up in your body. This is often due to your kidneys and/or liver working less efficiently than they used to.

If you’re 65 or older, your healthcare provider may start your dose at one 5 mg tablet daily. From there, they may increase your dose as needed with close monitoring. But cyclobenzaprine ER capsules should be avoided altogether. Their doses are too high for older adults, and dividing the capsules isn't possible.

Keep in mind: If you’re over 65, it may be best to avoid cyclobenzaprine completely. Many muscle relaxers are on the Beers List, a list published by the American Geriatrics Society (AGS). The AGS Beers List discusses medications, including cyclobenzaprine, that are considered more risky for older adults. Talk to your healthcare provider about other muscle relaxer options that might be safer if you’re having muscle spasms.

How should I take cyclobenzaprine?

Cyclobenzaprine is usually taken taken for up to 2 or 3 weeks. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 weeks, or if they get worse.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you forget to take a dose of cyclobenzaprine, you probably won't experience significant problems. You can take your dose as soon as you remember, unless it’s almost time for your next dose.

In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose at your usual time. Don’t try to make up for a missed dose by taking two doses at once. This increases your risk of cyclobenzaprine side effects.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of cyclobenzaprine can be fatal.

In case of overdose, Call 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

drowsiness

fast or irregular heartbeat

feeling agitated

confusion

trouble speaking or moving

dizziness

nausea

vomiting

hallucination (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)

tremor

loss of consciousness

What to avoid

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Do not drink alcohol while taking cyclobenzaprine. It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect cyclobenzaprine. The risk of dizziness, drowsiness, or tiredness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking cyclobenzaprine.

Cyclobenzaprine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to cyclobenzaprine: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

fast or irregular heartbeats;

chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder; or

sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), slurred speech, balance problems.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults.

Common cyclobenzaprine side effects may include:

drowsiness, tiredness;

headache, dizziness;

dry mouth; or

upset stomach, nausea, constipation.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Drug Interactions

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking cyclobenzaprine.

A monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past 2 weeks, which is a medicine usually used for depression or Parkinson’s disease

A barbiturate, such as phenobarbital, butalbital, or primidone, which is a medicine that may be used to treat insomnia, migraines, or seizures

A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which is a medicine commonly used for anxiety and depression

Any other medicine that causes dizziness and sleepiness, such as prescription pain medicines, sleep medicines, and medicines for anxiety

An anticholinergic medicine, which includes antihistamines and medicines commonly used for overactive bladder, Parkinson’s disease, or stomach problems

Tramadol, which is a medicine commonly used for pain

A tricyclic antidepressant, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, or protriptyline, even if it is not used for depression

An antipsychotic, which is a medicine for certain mental health conditions

Verapamil (Verelan, Verelan PM), which is a medicine used for high blood pressure or chest pain

Bupropion (Wellbutrin, others), which is a medicine used for depression or to help someone stop smoking

Meperidine (Demerol), which is an opioid medicine used to treat pain

What should I know about STORAGE and DISPOSAL of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Store the extended-release capsule away from light.

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

One Final Note..

Cyclobenzaprine is part of a group of medications called muscle relaxers. It helps relieve pain from muscle spasms when combined with physical therapy and rest. It’s available as generic, immediate-release (IR) tablets. It also comes as generic or brand-name extended-release (ER) capsules (Amrix).

The typical cyclobenzaprine dosage for the IR tablets is 5 mg to 10 mg three times a day. For the ER capsules, the usual dosage is 15 mg or 30 mg once daily. If you have liver damage or you’re 65 or older, avoid taking the ER capsules. In some cases, it’s possible to take the IR tablets. But you may need a lower dosage.

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Most recent revision June 27, 2025 09:46:24 PM

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