Flexeril Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Flexeril Tablet, known generically as cyclobenzaprine, is a skeletal muscle relaxant used along with rest and physical therapy to treat muscle pain, injury, or spasms. The Flexeril brand has been discontinued in the U.S., but generic cyclobenzaprine may still be available. It works by blocking nerve signals that send pain messages to the brain and is generally used for short periods of two to three weeks.

What is Flexeril Tablet

Flexeril is a muscle relaxant used along with rest and physical therapy to treat muscle pain, injury, or spasms. The Flexeril brand has been discontinued in the U.S., but generic versions of cyclobenzaprine may be available.

Flexeril Tablet uses

• Treating skeletal muscle conditions such as pain, injury, or spasms, used together with rest and physical therapy
• Relief of muscle spasm and its related symptoms, such as pain, tenderness, limited movement, and difficulty with daily activities, caused by acute musculoskeletal conditions

Benefits of Flexeril Tablet

• Helps relax muscles and relieve pain from muscle spasms
• Starts working within 30 minutes to one hour, with full effect within about a week

How Flexeril Tablet works

Flexeril works by blocking nerve signals that send pain messages to the brain, which helps relieve muscle spasms without affecting muscle function directly.

Flexeril Tablet dosage

This medicine is usually taken one to three times a day for only two or three weeks. Take it at the same time each day. Depending on the form you have, you may need to swallow it whole, sprinkle it on applesauce, or let a tablet dissolve under your tongue. Do not crush, chew, or cut the pills. If taking a tablet that dissolves under the tongue, take a few sips of water first to moisten your mouth.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after three weeks, or if they get worse. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for your next dose — do not take two doses at once.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet

Side effects of Flexeril Tablet

Common

• Drowsiness, tiredness
• Headache, dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Upset stomach, nausea, constipation
• Numbness, tingling, pain, or sores in your mouth

Serious

• Fast or irregular heartbeats
• Chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder
• Sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), slurred speech, balance problems
• Signs of serotonin syndrome such as agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, difficult breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use this medicine if you have a thyroid disorder, heart block, congestive heart failure, a heart rhythm disorder, or have recently had a heart attack.
• Do not take this medicine if you have taken a type of antidepressant called an MAO inhibitor within the past 14 days, as this can cause a dangerous drug interaction.
• This medicine is not approved for use in anyone younger than 15 years old.
• Some medicines combined with this one can cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome, so tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including those for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, or migraines.
• Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine, and serious side effects may be more likely in this group.
• An overdose of this medicine can be fatal, and symptoms may include severe drowsiness, vomiting, fast heartbeats, tremors, agitation, or hallucinations.
• This medicine should only be used for short periods, up to two or three weeks, because its effectiveness for longer use has not been well studied.
• Cyclobenzaprine may harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, since you may need effective birth control during treatment and for two weeks after the last dose.
• It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.
• People with liver disease should use this medicine with caution, since it should be started at a low dose and increased slowly; it is not recommended for those with moderate to severe liver impairment.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine because dangerous side effects could occur.
• Avoid driving or doing anything dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you, since it can slow your reactions.

Storage

• Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
• Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-86°F).

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have fast or irregular heartbeats, chest pain or pressure that spreads to the jaw or shoulder, or sudden numbness, weakness, slurred speech, or balance problems.
• Seek medical attention right away if you notice symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, a fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• If you suspect an overdose, seek emergency medical attention or contact your local poison control center right away.

Alternatives

• Methocarbamol
• Carisoprodol
• Orphenadrine