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Cyclobenzaprine
Brand
Name: Flexeril
Most
Common Medical Uses
Flexeril
is a muscle relaxant most commonly prescribed to relieve muscle
spasms resulting from injuries such as sprains, strains, or pulls.
In conjunction with an overall health plan, rest and physical therapy,
Flexeril provides relief of muscular stiffness and pain.
How
to Take This Medication
Take
exactly as prescribed by your physician. Flexeril may be taken with
or without food. Flexeril should be used only for short periods
(no more than 3 weeks). Flexeril may cause dry mouth. Sucking a
hard candy, chewing gum, or melting ice chips in your mouth can
provide temporary relief.
Possible
Side Effects
Side
effects cannot be anticipated. Only your doctor can determine if
it is safe for you to continue taking Flexeril. More common side
effects may include: Dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth Less common
or rare side effects may include: Abnormal heartbeats, abnormal
sensations, abnormal thoughts or dreams, aggressive behavior, agitation,
anxiety, bloated feeling, blurred vision, confusion, constipation,
convulsions, decreased appetite, depressed mood, diarrhea, difficulty
falling or staying asleep, difficulty speaking, disorientation,
double vision, excitement, fainting, fatigue, fluid retention, hallucinations,
headache, heartburn, hepatitis, hives, increased heart rate, indigestion,
inflammation of the stomach, lack of coordination, liver diseases,
low blood pressure, nausea, nervousness, palpitations, paranoia,
rash, ringing in the ears, severe allergic reaction, stomach and
intestinal pain, sweating, swelling of the tongue or face, thirst,
tingling in hands or feet, tremors, urinating more or less than
usual, vertigo, vomiting, weakness, yellow eyes and skin. Problems
such as confusion or hallucinations are more likely in older adults.
Precautions
If
you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor
immediately. It is not known if Flexeril appears in breast milk.
However, cyclobenzaprine is related to tricyclic antidepressants,
and some of those drugs do appear in breast milk. If this medication
is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you to discontinue
breastfeeding your baby until your treatment is completed.
Drug
Interactions
Avoid
alcoholic beverages while taking Flexeril. Serious, potentially
fatal reactions may occur if you take Flexeril with an antidepressant
drug known as an MAO inhibitor (such as Nardil, Parnate) or if it
has been less than 2 weeks since you last took an MAO inhibitor.
You should closely follow your doctor's advice regarding discontinuation
of MAO inhibitors before taking Flexeril. If Flexeril is taken with
certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased,
or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor
before combining Flexeril with the following: Barbiturates such
as phenobarbital Guanethidine and other high blood pressure drugs
that slow the central nervous system, such as Halcion and Xanax
Tramadol (Ultram).
Missed
Dose
Take
the missed dose as soon as you remember, if it is within an hour
or so of your scheduled time. If you do not remember until later,
skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not
take 2 doses at once.
Storage
Store
at room temperature away from moisture, heat and light. Keep this
and all medications out of the reach of children.
Notes
Flexeril
is not a substitute for the physical therapy, rest, or exercise
that your doctor orders for proper healing. Although Flexeril relieves
the pain of strains and sprains, it is not useful for other types
of pain. Do not share Flexeril with others for whom it was not prescribed,
since they may have a problem that is not effectively treated by
this drug.
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