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Intro and a panoramic view of the main points

The active ingredient listed is Cyclobenzaprine.

What it is: A centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant that reduces muscle spasm and associated pain by acting on the central nervous system.

When it gets put to use: Short-term management of acute musculoskeletal spasm, commonly alongside rest, physical therapy, and local measures such as heat or ice.

Formulations and strengths: In some countries cyclobenzaprine is available as immediate-release 5 mg and tablets with 10 mg, or extended-release 15 mg. Cyclobenzaprine is not routinely licensed in the UK; see the section on UK information on law and access to information about rights for details about local availability.

General uses

Cyclobenzaprine is prescribed to ease short-term muscle spasm and stiffness that accompany injuries such as strains or sprains. It is usually a temporary addition to a treatment plan that includes physical rehabilitation and symptom control.

Clinicians typically limit use to a few weeks because long-term benefit has not been well established and residual effects can increase with prolonged therapy.

Administration directions and dosage

Typical duration: Treatment courses are commonly limited to 2 or 3 weeks. Take the medicine at the same time each day when directed by your prescriber.

Follow your prescription label exactly. Your prescriber may start at a lower dose and adjust based on response and tolerance. Do not increase dose or take more often without medical advice.

If you need information about a forgot to take the dose, see What to do after you miss a dose.

Protective measures and warning announcements

Tell your prescriber about any current or past medical problems, especially the following conditions:

• Decreased liver function or a history of liver disease
• Glaucoma or increased pressure in the eye
• Prostate enlargement, difficulty passing urine, or bladder outflow obstruction
• Any heart rhythm disorder, coronary artery disease, or recent heart attack

Expecting mothers and breastfeeding mothers: Safety in pregnancy is not established. Discuss possible risks and benefits with your clinician before using cyclobenzaprine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Effects on alertness: Drowsiness, dizziness, and blurred vision can occur. Avoid alcohol and be cautious when driving or operating machinery until you know how the medicine affects you.

If you are taking antidepressants or other drugs that affect serotonin, be alert for signs of serotonin syndrome and seek immediate help if symptoms develop. For more on this see Possible collateral effects and emergencies and Interaction among drugs.

When this should not be used

Do not use cyclobenzaprine if any of the following apply:

• Known hyperthyroidism or significant untreated thyroid disease
• Severe heart conduction problems, arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, or during the acute recovery phase after myocardial infarction
• Current or recent use of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor within the past 14 days (for example isocarboxazid, phenelzine, selegiline, rasagiline, or tranylcypromine)

If you are unsure whether a condition applies to you, discuss it with your prescriber before starting the medicine.

Aftereffects and critical events

Seek emergency care if you experience signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, swelling of the face or throat, or difficulty breathing.

Stop taking the drug and obtain urgent medical attention for warning signs such as:

• Rapid or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, or discomfort radiating to the shoulder or jaw
• Sudden weakness or numbness, slurred speech, or severe loss of coordination

Serotonin syndrome is a rare but serious condition. Symptoms may include agitation, hallucinations, high fever, sweating, tremor, muscle rigidity, incoordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. If these occur, seek immediate medical help.

More commonly reported, generally milder effects include drowsiness, lightheadedness, dry mouth, a throbbing headache, nausea, and constipation. Contact your pharmacist or prescriber if any adverse health effects persist or trouble daily activities.

Drug mutual interaction effects

Cyclobenzaprine can interact with many other medicines and increase sedation or other risks. Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all medicines you take, including over-the-counter products and herbal supplements.

Medicines that may increase drowsiness or breathing problems when combined with cyclobenzaprine include:

• Opioid pain medicines, benzodiazepines, and other central nervous system depressants
• Hypnotics and many anxiety medicines
• First-generation antihistamines found in some cold and allergy remedies

Other important the interaction between participants concerns:

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): Avoid concurrent use and do not start an MAOI within 14 days of stopping cyclobenzaprine. See Contraindicated situations.
• Agents with serotonergic activity (certain antidepressants, migraine therapies, Herbal remedy St Johns wort): Risk of serotonin syndrome.
• Drugs that affect heart rhythm such as verapamil or agents with strong anticholinergic properties.
• Caution with bupropion, tramadol, or meperidine because of risks associated with the back and forth of communication.

Medication dose missed information and tips

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you are nearly due for your next dose, omit the one dose was skipped and continue with your normal schedule. Do not take two doses in order to compensate for a one dose was skipped.

An suspected overdose of medicine information for the public

If you suspect an overdose case, contact emergency services immediately. Symptoms of overdose case can include extreme drowsiness, vomiting, fast heart rate, tremor, severe agitation, hallucinations, or loss of consciousness. Severe overdose cases may be life threatening and require urgent hospital care.

Data the storage of files is essential for data management. and retrieval safety guidelines

Keep the medicine at normal room temperature, ideally between 15 and 30 degrees C. Store in the original container, keep the lid tightly closed, and place out of sight and reach of children. Do not use the medicine beyond its expiry date; dispose of expired or unwanted medicines safely via a pharmacy return scheme.

Equivalent medicines and spare options

Several other muscle relaxants are commonly used in the UK and may be preferred depending on the clinical situation. Your prescriber will balance likely benefit against potential collateral effects.

• Baclofen - commonly used for spasticity; may cause sedation and dizziness. Long-term use should be tapered to avoid withdrawal.
• Tizanidine treatment - effective for spasticity; can lower blood pressure and may require liver function monitoring in real time.
• Methocarbamol - central acting agent used for acute musculoskeletal spasm; often chosen for short courses.
• Diazepam - a benzodiazepine with muscle relaxing properties; risk of dependence and sedation limits use to short term.
• Dantrolene - works directly on skeletal muscle; used for chronic spasticity and in specific situations like malignant hyperthermia; requires liver performance monitoring.

For licensed optional choices available in the UK or for a comparison of expected adverse outcomes and real time monitoring of systems needs, consult your clinician. Additional resources Cost indices in the United Kingdom and Access information related to UK law for availability details.

Price data for the United Kingdom

The following are indicative private price brackets to help with planning. Actual costs depend on the supplier, pack size, and whether the product is supplied as an unlicensed special or via import. Figures approximate as of 2024 and quoted in Great Britain Pounds (GBP).

• Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) - Not routinely licensed in the UK. If obtained as an unlicensed import or special, private prices can be substantially higher than typical generics; private per-tablet costs may range broadly, for example around 1 to 3 GBP per tablet for some strengths, plus dispensing and import fees. Many pharmacies will not routinely stock it.
• Baclofen (generic) - Often inexpensive; typical private prices around 0.10 to 0.25 GBP per 10 mg tablet depending on quantity.
• Tizanidine medication (generic) - Private cost often about 0.10 to 0.30 GBP per 2 mg tablet.
• Methocarbamol (generic) - Private rate sheet frequently between 0.15 and 0.50 GBP per 750 mg tablet.
• Diazepam (generic) - Generally low cost per tablet (a few pence for low strengths) but subject to controlled drug regulations and prescribing restrictions.
• Dantrolene (generic) - Typically more costly, often several times the cost per dose compared with baclofen or tizanidine.

NHS prescriptions in England carry a flat fee per item (about 9.90 GBP per item in 2024). Prescriptions are provided free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Unlicensed products supplied privately are usually priced differently and can be considerably more expensive than NHS-dispensed generics.

Information on legally sanctioned access policies in the United Kingdom

• Licensing: Cyclobenzaprine is not commonly licensed in the UK. A UK clinician may prescribe an unlicensed medicine when it is clinically justified besides they accept responsibility under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 and relevant professional mentorship.
• Prescription status: Most muscle relaxants used for spasm are Prescription Only Medicines (POM). They must be prescribed by a UK-registered prescriber and supplied by a pharmacy registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Online supply: Use only UK-regulated online pharmaceutical stores. Confirm the site is registered with the GPhC and links to its entry on the GPhC register. Avoid using unregulated or overseas websites.
• Personal importation: Bringing prescription medicines into the UK for personal use is subject to restrictions and customs checks. Unlicensed or prescription-only medicines may be seized if supply or documentation is non-compliant. Controlled drugs have additional legal requirements. Check with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) or your pharmacist before attempting to import medicines.
• Driving and safety at work: Because cyclobenzaprine can cause drowsiness or impair coordination, it is an offence to drive while impaired. Follow your clinician's advice and do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you are sure you are safe to do so.
• Pregnancy and children: Any use in pregnancy, breast-feeding, or children should result from a considered clinical risk-benefit assessment by the prescriber.

For licensed other possible paths and how to access them safely, talk to your prescriber or pharmacist. See Other options plus analogous medicines for commonly used options within the UK.

Essential notes

This page is for educational purposes and does not replace clinical judgement or personalised medical advice. Always follow the instructions of your prescriber merged with the printed information that comes with your medicine. If you experience severe symptoms or suspect a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical care immediately.