Cyclobenzaprine: Muscle Relaxer Uses, Side Effects, & Dosage

what is the drug cyclobenzaprine

Cyclobenzaprine is used together with rest and physical therapy to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain or injury. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely.

Many insurance companies require prior authorization for this drug. This means your doctor will need to get approval from your insurance company before your insurance company will pay for the prescription. As with all medications, the costs of cyclobenzaprine can vary. It isn’t known exactly how this drug works to relax your muscles. It may decrease the signals from your brain that tell your muscles to spasm. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records.

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Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include Micromedex (updated 3 Mar 2024), Cerner Multum™ (updated 4 Mar 2024), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2024) and others.

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 FDA-1088. Overdose symptoms may include severe drowsiness, vomiting, fast heartbeats, tremors, agitation, or hallucinations. You may report side effects to FDA at FDA-1088 or at /medwatch.

Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis). Before taking cyclobenzaprine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval. Cyclobenzaprine comes as a tablet and an extended-release capsule to take by mouth.

Cyclobenzaprine is used short-term to treat muscle spasms. It is usually used along with rest and physical therapy. This list may not describe all possible side effects. Take this medication by mouth with a glass of water.

Cyclobenzaprine

The tablet is usually taken with or without food three times a day. The extended-release capsule is usually taken with or without food once a day. Do not take this drug for more than 3 weeks without talking to your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information.

Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking.
Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

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. A different medication may be necessary in that case. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

It works by acting in the brain and nervous system to allow the muscles to relax. If you are taking another medication that also causes drowsiness, you may have more side effects. Give your care team a list of all medications you use. Your care team will tell you how much medication to take.

Take it as directed

Cyclobenzaprine has no effect on muscle function. Cyclobenzaprine seems to accomplish its beneficial effect through a complex mechanism within the nervous system, probably in the brainstem. 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.

What are the side effects of cyclobenzaprine?

Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet may cause drowsiness and dizziness. This is more likely to happen in the few hours after you take it. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

It helps relieve pain, stiffness, and discomfort caused by strains, sprains, or injuries to your muscles. However, this medicine does not take the place of rest, exercise or physical therapy, or other treatment that your doctor may recommend for your medical problem. Cyclobenzaprine acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to produce its muscle relaxant effects. Its actions on the CNS may also cause some of this medicine’s side effects.

Before taking this medicine

Follow the directions on the prescription label. If this medication upsets your stomach, take it with food or milk. Using drinks containing alcohol can increase your risk of dizziness, drowsiness, and decreased alertness from cyclobenzaprine.

Cyclobenzaprine belongs to a class of drugs called muscle relaxants. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medication. Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. Cyclobenzaprine relieves muscle spasms when the spasm is due to local problems, that is, in the muscle itself and not in the nerves controlling the muscles.