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- $Unique_ID{BRK03112}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{cyclobenzaprine}
- $Subject{Flexeril Merck Sharp Dohme Muscle relaxant cyclobenzaprine muscle
- pain stiffness injuries sprains strains reflexes muscle spasms}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{
- Flexeril*0311201.scf}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- cyclobenzaprine
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- cyclobenzaprine (various manufacturers)
- Flexeril (Merck Sharp & Dohme)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Muscle relaxant
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- cyclobenzaprine
-
- DOSAGE FORM
-
- Tablets (10 mg)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Cyclobenzaprine tablets should be stored at room temperature in a tightly
- closed container.
-
- USES
-
- Cyclobenzaprine is prescribed to relieve muscle pain and stiffness caused
- by injuries such as sprains or strains. It is not clear how this drug works,
- but it may block reflexes involved in producing and maintaining muscle spasms.
- It does not act directly on tense muscles.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- In order to avoid stomach irritation, you can take cyclobenzaprine with
- food or with a full glass of water or milk.
- If you miss a dose of this medication and remember within an hour, take
- the missed dose; then return to your regular dosing schedule. If more than an
- hour has passed, do not take the missed dose at all; just return to your
- dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Abdominal pain, black tongue, blurred vision, constipation, diarrhea,
- dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue, indigestion, insomnia, loss of
- appetite, muscle pain, nausea, nervousness, sweating, unpleasant taste in the
- mouth, vomiting, or weakness. These side effects should disappear as your
- body adjusts to the medication.
- If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
- fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads) and drink more
- water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
- If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up
- slowly from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
- To relieve mouth dryness, chew sugarless gum, or suck on ice chips or
- hard candy.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- confusion, depression, difficulty in urinating, disorientation,
- hallucinations, headache, itching, numbness in the fingers or toes,
- palpitations, rash, swelling of the face or tongue, tremors, or yellowing of
- your skin or eyes.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Cyclobenzaprine interacts with several other types of drugs:
- 1. Concurrent use of cyclobenzaprine with other central nervous system
- depressants (such as alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, antianxiety
- medications, narcotics, pain medications, tranquilizers, and sleeping
- medications) or with tricyclic antidepressants can cause extreme drowsiness.
- 2. Cyclobenzaprine can block the blood-pressure-lowering effects of
- clonidine and guanethidine.
- 3. Use of this drug within 14 days of a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor
- (tranylcypromine, phenelzine, isocarboxazid, and pargyline) can lead to severe
- reactions and high blood pressure.
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
- taking, especially those listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- medications, especially to cyclobenzaprine or to tricyclic antidepressants
- (such as amitriptyline, amoxapine, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine,
- nortriptyline, protriptyline, and trimipramine).
- * Tell your doctor if you have ever had blood clots, epilepsy, heart
- disease, a heart attack, narrow-angle glaucoma, thyroid disease, or urinary
- retention.
- * Use of cyclobenzaprine for periods longer than two to three weeks is
- not recommended because there is no evidence of benefit with prolonged use and
- because muscle spasm caused by sprain or strain is generally of short
- duration.
- * This medication should not be taken as a substitute for rest, physical
- therapy, or other measures recommended by your doctor to treat your condition.
- * If this medication makes you dizzy or drowsy or blurs your vision, do
- not take part in any activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car
- or operating potentially dangerous equipment.
- * If you have been taking large doses of this medication for prolonged
- periods, you may experience nausea, headache, or fatigue when you stop taking
- it, until your body adjusts to the absence of the drug.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Although
- cyclobenzaprine appears to be safe during pregnancy, extensive studies in
- humans have not been conducted. Also, tell your doctor if you are
- breast-feeding an infant. It is not known whether cyclobenzaprine passes into
- breast milk.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-