This medication relaxes muscles. It is used along with rest and physical therapy to decrease muscle pain and spasms associated with strains, sprains or other muscle injuries.

Take this medication by mouth usually 3 times a day, or as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Do not increase your dose or take it more often than prescribed because the risk of side effects may increase.

This medication is intended for short-term use, usually no longer than 3 weeks, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. If your condition does not improve in 2-3 weeks, contact your doctor.

Drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, constipation or blurred vision may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, hallucinations), difficulty urinating.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, fainting, yellowing of the eyes/skin, stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting/lack of appetite, dark urine, seizures, loss of coordination.

A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking cyclobenzaprine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia), other heart problems (congestive heart failure, heart block or conduction disorders), recent heart attack, moderate or severe liver disease.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: severe difficulty urinating (urinary retention), glaucoma, mild liver disease.

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.

To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.

Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its side effects, especially drowsiness, mental/mood changes, and possibly heart problems which could lead to a fall.

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

Based on information for similar drugs, cyclobenzaprine may pass into breast milk. Therefore, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine) within 2 weeks before starting or after stopping treatment with this medication. In some cases, a serious, possibly fatal, drug interaction may occur.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: certain types of asthma drugs (e.g., albuterol, salmeterol), cimetidine, clonidine, guanethidine, guanadrel, SSRI antidepressants (e.g., fluoxetine, citalopram), stimulants and weight loss products (e.g., ephedrine, dextroamphetamine, phenylephrine), tramadol, tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, imipramine).

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., diazepam), antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep (e.g., sedatives), narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine), tranquilizers.

Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids, acid reducers) because they may contain ingredients which could increase the risk of side effects with cyclobenzaprine. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include severe drowsiness, fast heartbeat, slurred speech, hallucinations, chest pain, seizures, increased muscle stiffness with fever and sweating,

Do not share this medication with others.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store the US product at room temperature (77 degrees F or 25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom.

Store the Canadian product at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom.

Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised July 2009 Copyright(c) 2009 First DataBank, Inc.