Cyclobenzaprine
Molecule Description
Cyclobenzaprine is used for short term relief from muscle pain and stiffness, m
ost commonly following an injury. It belongs to a class of medicines known as ‘muscle relaxants.’
Uses of Cyclobenzaprine
Relief from muscle pain, stiffness or tightness, limitation of movements, usually following an injury or strenuous activity.
Contraindications of Cyclobenzaprine
When should one not use Cyclobenzaprine
- Allergy to Cyclobenzaprine or any components of this medicine
- A specific class of antidepressants called Mono Amine Oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (e.g., Selegiline, Rasagiline, Phenelzine, etc.) or tricyclic antidepressants (Amitriptyline, Imipramine, Amoxapine)
- Recent heart disease (heart attacks, irregular heartbeats, rhythm diseases, reduced pumping efficiency of the heart)
- Kidney diseases
- Thyroid problems
Side effects of Cyclobenzaprine
Common side effects of this drug are:
- Headache, dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, sleepiness
- Feeling sick (nausea), indigestion (dyspepsia), constipation
- Taste, vision and attention disturbances
- Tremors, pounding of heart (palpitations), acne (pimples)
- Irregular and fast heartbeats, abnormal heart rhythm, allergic reactions, rashes, mood changes, nervousness, depression, sweating, ringing in the ears, weight loss, stomach upset, gas, liver problems, sweating, urinary problems (uncommon)...
Precautions and Warnings of Cyclobenzaprine
Pregnancy
Q:
Can I take Cyclobenzaprine during pregnancy?
A:
Cyclobenzaprine may not be a harmful medicine to be used during pregnancy. But due to lack of reliable data, it should be used in pregnant women only if other alternatives are not available.
Breast Feeding
Q:
Can I take Cyclobenzaprine while breastfeeding?
A:
It is unknown if Cyclobenzaprine secretes in breast milk. But, because some of the similar medicines are known to be secreted in breast milk, caution is advised. It may be given in breastfeeding mothers, only if it cannot be substituted.
Driving
Q:
Can I drive if I have consumed Cyclobenzaprine?
A:
This medicine may cause decreased alertness or problems with your vision. If you are affected, do not drive.
Alcohol
Q:
Can I consume alcohol with Cyclobenzaprine?
A:
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with this medicine. It may lead to more dizziness or drowsiness.
Other General Warnings
Talk to your doctor if
- Inform the doctor if any of the following applies to you:
- Elderly patients
- Any depressive or psychotic disorder for which treatment is being taken
- If you are suffering from urinary retention (incomplete emptying of the bladder) or increased pressure in the eye (glaucoma) and are seeking treatment
- Avoid taking Cyclobenzaprine if you have liver disease
Mode of Action of Cyclobenzaprine
How Does It Work?
Cyclobenzaprine acts on the brain and spinal cord and regulates the effects of the nerves on the muscle and thus causes relaxation and pain relief. It is also thought to block the pain impulses from reaching the brain....
Interactions of Cyclobenzaprine
Interactions with other medicines
- Antidepressant medicines (to treat depression) like Selegiline, Rasagiline, Phenelzine, Amitriptyline, Imipramine, Amoxapine, Doxepin, Nortriptyline, etc.
- Inform the doctor about all the medicines you are using (including prescription medicines, non-prescription medicines, and herbal products)
Interactions with food items
Alcohol consumption should be avoided, no other food interactions are observed.
Dosage of Cyclobenzaprine
Overdose
Unintentional overdose of Cyclobenzaprine may not be harmful. But consult the doctor in the presence of symptoms such as drowsiness, or fast heartbeats (tachycardia).
Missed a Dose
If you have missed any dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dose schedule. Do not take a higher or a double dose to make up for the missed dose....
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is there anything else I should know before taking Cyclobenzaprine?
- Cyclobenzaprine should not be given for long periods. It is useful and effective only for short term (acute conditions) and is not considered safe if given for more than three weeks at one time
- Certain class of antidepressants called Mono Amine Oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (e.g., Selegiline, Rasagiline, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine, etc.) should not be taken along with or till 14 days after stopping Cyclobenzaprine...
- Tricyclic antidepressants (Amitriptyline, Imipramine, Amoxapine, Doxepin, etc.) should also be avoided while taking Cyclobenzaprine because these medicines can cause heart rhythm problems, and the risk of such effects is increased with this medicine...
- Both the above classes of medicines can increase the risk of seizures in patients taking this medicine
- Cyclobenzaprine should be avoided in patients with liver disease or the elderly
Q: Is Cyclobenzaprine a pain killer? Can I use it for any other painful conditions?
- Cyclobenzaprine is not a pain killer. It is a muscle relaxant
- The regular pain killers that we use such as Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Indomethacin, etc. act by a different mechanism of blocking certain substances called prostaglandins which are released in response to injury and cause pain...
- Cyclobenzaprine acts on the nerves that carry impulses between the brain, spinal cord, and the muscles and causes relief by relaxing the muscle, and to a small extent, by interfering with pain signals. Most of its actions or relief of pain is due to relaxing of the muscles and hence is classified as a ‘muscle relaxant’...
- It should be not be used for any pain. Cyclobenzaprine is effective in strains that involve muscles and where there is limitation of movement, muscle stiffness, etc. most commonly, following an external injury...
- It was also found to be effective in a condition causing movement disorders in children (cerebral palsy). A variant of this condition causes stiff or muscles with impaired or jerky movements (muscle spasticity), which was relieved by Cyclobenzaprine....
References
View All
- Webmd. Cyclobenzaprine. [accessed on 11.Sep.2019] (Online)
- Mayoclinic. Cyclobenzaprine. [accessed on 11.Sep.2019] (Online)
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Cyclobenzaprine. [Updated 2019 Jul 20].
- Cyclobenzaprine, DailyMed [accessed on 19 Sep, 2019] (Online)
Share This With Your Friends
Recent articles
Disclaimer
The information provided herein is supplied to the best of our abilities to make it accurate and reliable as it is published after a review by a team of professionals. This information is solely intended to provide a general overview on the product and must be used for informational purposes only. You should not use the information provided herein to diagnose, prevent, or cure a health problem. Nothing contained on this page is intended to create a doctor-patient relationship, replace or be a substitute for a registered medical practitioner's medical treatment/advice or consultation. The absence of any information or warning to any medicine shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance. We highly recommend that you consult your registered medical practitioner for all queries or doubts related to your medical condition. You hereby agree that you shall not make any health or medical-related decision based in whole or in part on anything contained in the Site. Please click here for detailed T&C.
Medicines containing Cyclobenzaprine
+ View More Medicines
