Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is a muscle relaxer that relieves moderate pain and other discomfort in short term musculoskeletal conditions. It is unlikely to help with long term, chronic pain; it has been tested, and found ineffective, in treatment of cerebral or spinal cord disease or cerebral palsy. Flexeril does occasionally see off-label use in fibromyalgia and tetanus.

This medication works on the central nervous system (CNS) to alleviate pain, stiffness, tenderness, and other symptoms of muscle injury. It is often used in to help treat:

• Muscle strains
• Muscle sprains
• Sports injuries
• Other muscle injuries

Flexeril is meant to supplement, not replace, rest, physical therapy, and other measures meant to aid with healing.

This product can be used in children, but for those under age 16 dosage modification will likely be needed.

Taking Flexeril

Flexeril comes in capsules of 5 or 10 mg. The medication is usually taken three times per day, with or without food according to personal preference. Capsules can be opened and the contents sprinkled onto soft, moist food, such as applesauce, if desired. The food should be swallowed without chewing and the mouth rinsed with water afterward to ensure all the medication was swallowed.

Treatment in patients age 16 and up is usually:

• Take 5 mg three times per day, spread evenly apart.
• If insufficient, dosage may be increased to 10 mg three times per day.
• Treatment should not extend past three weeks of consecutive use.

Note that multiple smaller-dose capsules can be taken together for the same effect as a single larger dose. That is, taking two 5 mg capsules provides the same benefit as a single 10 mg capsule.

The reason treatment should not extend past three weeks is twofold:

• The conditions Flexeril treats rarely extend past that time; and
• Effects of taking the medication longer are unknown.

It is very difficult to say what would happen if treatment continued long term; perhaps nothing at lower doses of 5 mg per day, but given that it does directly influence the CNS and life-threatening side effects are possible at higher, 30 mg doses, it's a dangerous gamble for little benefit.

Patients who take Flexeril as directed find muscle pain is significantly improved, enabling greater range of motion and better compliance with physical therapy.

Potential Complications

Most patients will experience at least a few side effects from Flexeril, though they're not necessarily negatives---the most common is drowsiness, affecting about 40% of patients. Since bed rest is advised in most muscle injuries anyway, this may be somewhat beneficial.

Other common side effects include:

• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Abdominal discomfort

Though rare at lower doses, more serious side effects do sometimes develop. These are more common at higher doses, and more common among the elderly. Seek medical attention if experiencing:

• Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• Agitation
• Hallucinations
• Fever
• Muscle twitching
• Loss of coordination
• Muscle stiffness

Alcohol should be avoided until its clear how Flexeril affects an individual; those prone to drowsiness or dizziness may want to avoid it through the duration of treatment.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) should not be taken within 14 days before or after taking Flexeril.

Other medications may interact with Flexeril. Double-check with a doctor or pharmacist before mixing other treatments with Flexeril.