Cyclobenzaprine is a prescription drug used to treat muscle spasms but it is used in short-term medication. It helps to relax certain muscles in your body and relieve pain and discomfort caused by sprains, strains, and other muscle injuries. It is used along with rest and physical therapy to treat skeletal muscle conditions. To allow the muscles to relax, it acts on the nerve system and brain. Due to the potential danger of any negative effects from taking this medication, it is usually not advised for medication in older adults. Flexeril and Amrix are some of the brand names for it. It belongs to the skeletal muscle relaxant drugs class. Along with it Cyclobenzaprine side effects also appear if your body is not comfortable with this medicine.
There are various symptoms of Cyclobenzaprine dosage side effects which we mention in this blog. Also, here we will try to share the best information about its uses & more.
How to use Cyclobenzaprine?
Take Valium exactly as your doctor has instructed. Follow the label instructions and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. The dosage of this medicine will be different for different patients as it depends on how you react to the first dose, your age, and your medical conditions. This tablet is present in extended-release capsule form. This medication is taken by mouth with or without food only after consultation with your doctor. While taking the capsule don’t crush or chew the capsule only swallow it. By doing this you release all the drugs in the capsule at once, so this will increase the risk of side effects.
The drug is only used for a short term of time—3 weeks or less. Do not take longer than three weeks without a prescription from your doctor.
Mix the extended-release capsule’s contents with applesauce if you are unable to take it whole. Immediately consume the mixture and swallow it without chewing. After eating the mixture, sip some liquid, swish it about in your mouth, then swallow it to ensure that you’ve taken all the medication.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it if you miss it. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for the next dose. At the scheduled time, take your following dose. To catch up, do not increase the dose.
For oral dosage form extended-release capsules:
| Adults | 15 mg once a day. But some patients need 30 mg once a day. |
| Children | 5–10 mg are taken daily if the child is 15–17 years old. However, a doctor would not advise using this drug if you are under 15 years old. |
For oral dosage form tablets:
| Adults | 10 mg 3 times a day. The maximum dosage should not exceed 60 mg (six 10-mg pills) per day. |
| Children | 10 mg is taken daily if the child is 15–17 years old. However, a doctor would not advise using this drug if you are under 15 years old. |
Cyclobenzaprine does for seniors:
Because their kidneys are not functioning as they should. Therefore, processing medications take time. The longer a drug stays in your system, the greater the chance of side effects. Then your doctor will either decrease the dose or offer you a different dosing schedule rather than a high amount. It aids in preventing an excessive buildup of this drug in your body.
Note-: Don’t take this drug with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). It will cause dangerous effects on your body. These drugs include selegiline, rasagiline, and tranylcypromine.
What do You Need to know before taking Cyclobenzaprine?
- Before taking this medicine you have to take a doctor’s prescription. After that, you can use this medicine. Also, tell your doctor about your medical history particularly if you have difficulty urinating, liver disease, pressure in the eye, or glaucoma. Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to cyclobenzaprine or any of the components found in cyclobenzaprine tablets or capsules.
- If you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant, inform your doctor. If you become pregnant while taking Cyclobenzaprine, notify your doctor right away.
- If you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor. You should not breastfeed if you are taking Cyclobenzaprine because it is harmful to your unborn baby.
- If you are experiencing a heart block, irregular heartbeat, or any other issue with the electrical impulses on your heart, or if you just had a heart attack. If your thyroid gland is hyperactive. Inform your doctor that cyclobenzaprine will not be recommended for you to take.
- You should be aware that this medication may cause you to feel lightheaded or drowsy before taking it. So until you know how this medication affects you, you should not drive or operate any machinery.
- You should consult your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while taking this medication. However, it is advised to avoid drinking because cyclobenzaprine can worsen the effects of alcohol.
What are the benefits of using Cyclobenzaprine?
Cyclobenzaprine is primarily used to treat acutely painful musculoskeletal problems that are associated with muscle spasms. This drug belongs to the class of drugs known as cyclical antidepressants. These cyclical antidepressants are prescribed for the treatment of depression, migraine prophylaxis, neuropathic pain, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and possible muscle relaxing properties.
Drug interactions
When other drugs will affect cyclobenzaprine it increases the risk of serious side effects. We did not mention all the possible drug interactions. Keep a list of everything you take, including prescription and nonprescription medications, herbal supplements, and other products, and provide it to your doctor and pharmacist.
Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before consulting with your doctor.
Severe interactions of Cyclobenzaprine with drugs are isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine.
At least 43 different medications and cyclobenzaprine have moderate interactions with one another.
There are at least 221 medications with which cyclobenzaprine has mild interactions.
MAO inhibitors should not be taken with cyclobenzaprine as this could result in severe medication interactions.
We mentioned here some drugs name that increases the risk of drug interaction because the amount of cyclobenzaprine in your body is increased.
Benzodiazepines- Triazolam, Midazolam, and Alprazolam. You might feel more sedated and sleepy.
Barbiturates – Phenobarbital. You might feel more sedated and sleepy.
Anticholinergic drugs- Oxybutynin or Tolterodine.
Verapamil- You could have a higher chance of developing serotonin syndrome.
Some drugs used to treat depression such as venlafaxine, fluoxetine, amitriptyline, or bupropion. You could have a higher chance of developing serotonin syndrome.
Cyclobenzaprine side effects
If you notice any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction to cyclobenzaprine seek immediate medical attention: hives; trouble breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. If you are facing the given side effects immediately stop using this medicine and consult your doctor.
- Fast or irregular heartbeats
- Chest pain or pressure
- Jaw or shoulder pain
- Numbness or weakness
- Slurred speech
- Trouble speaking or moving
- Nausea
- Hallucination
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Dry mouth
How to store Cyclobenzaprine?
- Keep it at room temperature 20 to 25 degrees Celsius and away from sources of extreme heat and moisture. the container must be tightly closed and out of the reach of children.
- Do not flush medications down the drain or pour them down the toilet unless it was directed by your doctor. Once this product has reached the end of its useful life or is no longer required, properly dispose of it. Consult your doctor or a waste disposal company in your area where to dispose of this medicine.
Overdose
If a person has overdosed and is facing severe difficulties such as passing out or difficulty in breathing seek medical attention. Otherwise, contact a poison control center as soon as possible.
Summary
The information in this blog is not intended to cover all potential safety measures, uses, drug interactions, recommendations, or side effects, nor should it be interpreted to imply that using a particular medication is advantageous, safe, or useful for you or anyone else. Before using any medication, if you begin or stop a course of treatment or you change your diet speak with a doctor or nurse.