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Flexeril
is a muscle relaxant prescribed to relieve muscle spasms resulting
from injuries such as sprains, strains, or pulls. Combined with
rest and physical therapy, Flexeril provides relief of muscular
stiffness and pain. Improvement is manifested by relief of muscle
spasm and its associated signs and symptoms, namely, pain, tenderness,
limitation of motion, and restriction in activities of daily
living.
Flexeril
is a muscle relaxant prescribed to relieve muscle spasms
resulting from injuries such as sprains, strains, or pulls.
Combined with rest and physical therapy, Flexeril provides
relief of muscular stiffness and pain.
Directions
Flexeril
may be taken with or without food. Flexeril should be used
only for short periods (no more than 3 weeks). Since the
type of injury that Flexeril treats should improve in a
few weeks, there is no reason to use it for a longer period.
Flexeril may cause dry mouth. Sucking a hard candy, chewing
gum, or melting ice chips in your mouth can provide temporary
relief.
Side Effects
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any
develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon
as possible. 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, gas, hallucinations, headache,
heartburn, hepatitis, hives, increased heart rate, indigestion,
inflammation of the stomach, itching, lack of coordination,
liver diseases, loss of sense of taste, low blood pressure,
muscle twitching, 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, unpleasant
taste in the mouth, urinating more or less than usual, vague
feeling of bodily discomfort, vertigo, vomiting, weakness,
yellow eyes and skin. Problems such as confusion or hallucinations
are more likely in older adults.
Precautions
The effects of Flexeril during pregnancy
have not been adequately studied. 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 finished.
Drug Interactions
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.
Avoid alcoholic beverages while 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, other
drugs that slow the central nervous system, such as Halcion
and Xanax Tramadol (Ultram).
Missed Dose
Take it 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.
Dosage
ADULTS: The usual dose is 10 milligrams 3
times a day. You should not take more than 60 milligrams
a day.
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.
Overdose
Any medication taken in excess can have serious
consequences. If you suspect a Flexeril overdose, seek medical
attention immediately. Symptoms of Flexeril overdose may
include: Agitation, coma, confusion, congestive heart failure,
convulsions, dilated pupils, disturbed concentration, drowsiness,
hallucinations, high or low temperature, increased heartbeats,
irregular heart rhythms, muscle stiffness, overactive reflexes,
severe low blood pressure, stupor, vomiting. High doses
also may cause any of the conditions listed in "What Side
Effects May Occur?".
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