Cyclobenzaprine: Side Effects, Dosage, Uses, And More

Maybe your like

Medical News TodaySubscribeCyclobenzaprine, oral tablet

Medically reviewed by Michael Rio, PharmD — Written by University of Illinois — Updated on August 16, 2024Contents

About
Side effects
Dosage
Other warnings
Interactions
Take as directed
Cost and coupons
Important considerations
Alternatives

Key Takeaways

Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet is a generic drug prescribed to treat muscle spasms from short term, painful, muscular conditions. It’s approved as an add-on treatment alongside rest and physical therapy.
Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet is available in three strengths: 5 milligrams (mg), 7.5 mg, and 10 mg. Dosage recommendations may vary based on age groups and individual health conditions. Talk with your doctor about the right dosage for you.
Common side effects of cyclobenzaprine oral tablet can include drowsiness, headache, dry mouth, and fatigue. Serious side effects of cyclobenzaprine oral tablet can include heart problems and serotonin syndrome.

What is cyclobenzaprine?

Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet is a generic prescription drug. No brand-name versions of the tablet are currently available.

Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, they may not be available in all the same strengths or forms as the brand-name drug.

Cyclobenzaprine also comes as an oral extended-release capsule. The capsule is available as the brand-name drug Amrix.

Why it’s used

Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet is used to help relax muscles. It helps relieve pain, stiffness, or discomfort caused by strains or injuries to your muscles. It’s used along with rest and physical therapy. You should only use it short term, for 2 to 3 weeks at a time.

This drug can be used in adults and children ages 15 years and older.

Cyclobenzaprine may be used as part of combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications.

Mechanism of action (how it works)

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.

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.

Cyclobenzaprine side effects

Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet may cause drowsiness and dizziness. This is more likely to happen in the few hours after you take it. It can also have other side effects.

More common side effects

The more common side effects of cyclobenzaprine can include:

dry mouth
dizziness
fatigue
constipation
drowsiness
nausea
heartburn

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

Heart problems. Symptoms can include:
- fainting
- heart palpitations (fast or irregular heartbeat)
- confusion
- trouble speaking or understanding
- numbness or loss of control in your face, arms, or legs
- trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Serotonin syndrome. Symptoms can include:
- agitation (a feeling of aggravation or restlessness)
- hallucinations (hearing or seeing something that isn’t there)
- seizures
- nausea
Allergic reaction (see “Cyclobenzaprine warnings” later in the article).

Cyclobenzaprine dosage

This dosage information is for cyclobenzaprine oral tablet. It may not include all possible dosages and drug forms. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:

your age
the condition being treated and how severe it is
other medical conditions you have
how you react to the first dose

Form and strengths

Cyclobenzaprine is an oral tablet that comes in the following strengths:

5 milligrams (mg)
7.5 mg
10 mg

Dosage for relief of muscle spasms

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

5–10 mg taken 3 times per day.

Child dosage (ages 15–17 years)

5–10 mg taken 3 times per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–14 years)

Doctors don’t prescribe cyclobenzaprine for use in people younger than age 15 years.

Older adult dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys and liver of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for longer. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Special dosage considerations

For people with liver problems: If you have mild liver problems, your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body. Your doctor won’t prescribe cyclobenzaprine if your liver problems are moderate or severe.

Cyclobenzaprine warnings

Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet comes with several important warnings.

Serotonin syndrome warning: This drug can cause a life threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. This happens when medications cause too much serotonin to build up in your body. Call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of this condition. These include agitation (a feeling of aggravation or restlessness), hallucinations (seeing or hearing something that isn’t there), seizures, or nausea. Your risk may be higher if you take cyclobenzaprine with other drugs that increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, such as antidepressants.
Effects on the heart warning: This drug may cause heart arrhythmias (heart rate or rhythm problems). Your risk may be higher if you take a drug to treat depression or already have heart problems. If these issues are left untreated, they can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Central nervous system warning: This drug can cause drowsiness, dizziness, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there), and delusions (believing things that aren’t true). You should not drive or use machinery while you’re on this medication until you know how it affects you. Your risk may be higher if you’re 65 years or older.

Allergy warning

Cyclobenzaprine can cause an allergic reaction, which can be mild or severe. Symptoms can include:

trouble breathing
swelling of your throat or tongue

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to cyclobenzaprine, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Alcohol interaction

Using drinks containing alcohol can increase your risk of dizziness, drowsiness, and decreased alertness from cyclobenzaprine. If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor.

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with trouble urinating: This drug can make your symptoms worse.

For people with glaucoma: This drug can make your symptoms worse.

For people with liver problems: If you have liver problems or a history of liver disease, you may not be able to clear this drug from your body well. This may cause it to build up in your body. This raises your risk of side effects.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant people: Speak with your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Research in animals has not shown a risk to the fetus when cyclobenzaprine is given to pregnant females. However, there aren’t enough studies done in humans to show if the drug poses a risk to the fetus.

Animal studies don’t always predict the way humans would respond. Therefore, you should only use this drug during pregnancy if it’s clearly necessary. Talk with your doctor about other medications that may be a better fit for you.

For people who are breastfeeding: Cyclobenzaprine may pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk with your doctor if you’re breastfeeding. Together, you may need to decide whether you should stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication.

For older adults: The kidneys and liver of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of the drug stays in your body for longer. This raises your risk of side effects.

For children: Doctors won’t prescribe cyclobenzaprine oral tablet for use in people younger than age 15 years.

Cyclobenzaprine may interact with other medications

Cyclobenzaprine can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods.

Before taking Cyclobenzaprine, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

The following information includes examples of drugs that can interact with cyclobenzaprine.

Drugs you should not take with cyclobenzaprine

Your doctor won’t prescribe cyclobenzaprine if you’re taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Doing so can cause dangerous effects on the body. Examples of these drugs include:

selegiline
rasagiline (Azilect)
tranylcypromine (Parnate)

Taking cyclobenzaprine with an MAOI or within 14 days of stopping an MAOI could increase your risk of serious side effects. These include seizures.

Interactions that increase your risk of side effects

Taking cyclobenzaprine with medications that have side effects similar to cyclobenzaprine can raise your risk of side effects. Examples of these drugs include:

Benzodiazepines: Medications such as triazolam, alprazolam, andmidazolam may cause more sedation and drowsiness.
Barbiturates: Phenobarbital is an example of a barbiturate that may cause sedation and drowsiness.
Antidepressants: Some antidepressants, such as fluoxetine, venlafaxine, amitriptyline, or bupropion, can increase the risk of developing serotonin syndrome.
Anticholinergic drugs: Some anticholinergic drugs, such as tolterodine or oxybutynin, may increase the risk of certain side effects, including dry mouth or difficulty urinating.

Interactions that can increase the effect of cyclobenzaprine

When you take certain drugs with cyclobenzaprine, you may experience more severe side effects, such as increased drowsiness or sedation.

Be sure to ask your doctor whether it is safe to combine another medication with cyclobenzaprine. You should not drive or operate any machinery while taking one or more drugs that make you sleepy.

Take it as directed

Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet is used for short-term treatment. You should not use this drug for more than 3 weeks. Cyclobenzaprine comes with risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

If you stop taking the drug suddenly or don’t take it at all: Your symptoms may get worse. You may have more muscle spasms or pain.

If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. You need a certain amount of this drug in your body for it to work well.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include:

fainting
heart palpitations (fast or irregular heartbeat)
confusion
trouble speaking or understanding
numbness or loss of control in your face, arms, or legs
trouble seeing in one or both eyes
agitation (a feeling of aggravation or restlessness)
hallucinations (hearing or seeing something that isn’t there)
seizures
nausea

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

What to do if you miss a dose: Take your missed dose as soon as you remember. But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects.

How to tell if the drug is working: You should have less muscle pain and stiffness.

Cyclobenzaprine cost and coupons

As with all medications, the cost of cyclobenzaprine can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Drug coupons: You can visit Optum Perks for price estimates of cyclobenzaprine. These estimates are based on the use of Optum Perks coupons. Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Financial and insurance assistance: If you need financial support to pay for cyclobenzaprine, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions, check out this article.

»MORE:Get a refill for your medication in as little as 15 minutes with Optum Now Online Care.

Optum Now is operated by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.

Important considerations for taking cyclobenzaprine

You may want to consider the following information if your doctor prescribes cyclobenzaprine oral tablet for you.

General

You can take cyclobenzaprine with or without food.
Take this drug at about the same time each day.
Not every pharmacy stocks this drug. When filling your prescription, be sure to call ahead to make sure your pharmacy carries it.

Storage

Store cyclobenzaprine at room temperature, 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
Keep it away from light.
Don’t store it in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

Refills

Generally, a prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription to refill this medication. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
Don’t worry about airport X-ray machines. They can’t hurt your medication.
You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled box with you.
Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid this when the weather is very hot or cold.

Clinical monitoring

If you have liver problems, your doctor may do a blood test to monitor how well your liver is working while you take this drug.

Insurance

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.

Are there any alternatives?

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk with your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Pain / Anesthetics
Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Drugs

Medically reviewed by Michael Rio, PharmD — Written by University of Illinois — Updated on August 16, 2024

Latest news

New blood test 'clocks' could predict Alzheimer’s symptom onset years in advance
Could this common bacteria in the eye be driving Alzheimer's disease?
Eat well, live longer: Study links 5 healthy diet plans to longevity
Psychedelic drug can relieve severe depressive symptoms, phase 2 trial finds
Stopping eating at least 3 hours before bed may help improve heart health

Related Coverage

Types of muscle relaxers and potential alternatives
Muscle relaxers can help reduce pain and muscle spasms. Learn more about the types available, recommended dosages, and side effects here.
READ MORE
Why do muscle spasms (muscle cramps or twitch) happen?Medically reviewed by Angela M. Bell, MD, FACP
Muscle spasms can affect anyone and occur in any area of the body, but they are usually not serious. Learn about the causes and treatments here.
READ MORE
What is serotonin, and what does it do?Medically reviewed by Nicole Washington, DO, MPH
Serotonin is a chemical that transmits messages between nerve cells. Serotonin levels can impact mental health. Learn more here.
READ MORE
What to know about work-related musculoskeletal disordersMedically reviewed by Angela M. Bell, MD, FACP
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are injuries to the musculoskeletal system that result from working conditions. Learn more here.
READ MORE
Elevidys interactions: Alcohol, medications, and other factors
Learn about possible Elevidys interactions with alcohol, other drugs, supplements, vaccines, and more.
READ MORE

Tag » What Pill Is Tl 177

Health Conditions

Health Products

News

Original Series

Podcasts

General Health

Health Tools

Quizzes

About Medical News Today

Find Community

Follow Us