THE MERCK MANUAL: The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy
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Cyclobenzaprine Drug Information Provided by Lexi-Comp

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Pronunciation

(sye kloe BEN za preen)

Generic Available (U.S.)

Yes

Index Terms

  • Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride

Brand Names: U.S.

  • Amrix®
  • Fexmid®
  • Flexeril®

Brand Names: Canada

  • Apo-Cyclobenzaprine®
  • Dom-Cyclobenzaprine
  • Flexeril®
  • Flexitec
  • Gen-Cyclobenzaprine
  • Mylan-Cyclobenzaprine
  • Novo-Cycloprine
  • Nu-Cyclobenzaprine
  • PHL-Cyclobenzaprine
  • PMS-Cyclobenzaprine
  • ratio-Cyclobenzaprine
  • Riva-Cycloprine

Pharmacologic Category

  • Skeletal Muscle Relaxant

Pharmacologic Category Synonyms

  • Muscle Relaxant, Skeletal

Use: Labeled Indications

Treatment of muscle spasm associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions

Use: Dental

Treatment of muscle spasm associated with acute temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ)

Use: Unlabeled

Treatment of muscle spasm associated with acute temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ)

Pregnancy Risk Factor

B

Pregnancy Considerations

Teratogenic effects were not observed in animal studies. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Use during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Lactation

Excretion in breast milk unknown/use caution

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to cyclobenzaprine or any component of the formulation; during or within 14 days of MAO inhibitors; hyperthyroidism; congestive heart failure; arrhythmias; heart block or conduction disturbances; acute recovery phase of MI

Warnings/Precautions

Concerns related to adverse effects:

• Anticholinergic effects: Use with caution in patients with angle-closure glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, or urinary frequency/hesitancy.

• CNS depression: May cause CNS depression, which may impair physical or mental abilities; patients must be cautioned about performing tasks which require mental alertness (eg, operating machinery or driving).

• Toxicity: Cyclobenzaprine shares the toxic potentials of the tricyclic antidepressants, including prolongation of conduction time, arrhythmias, and tachycardia; the usual precautions of tricyclic antidepressant therapy should be observed.

Disease-related concerns:

• Hepatic impairment: Use with caution in patients with mild hepatic impairment; plasma concentrations increased twofold in presence of mild impairment. Not recommended in moderate-to-severe hepatic impairment. Extended release capsules not recommended in patients with hepatic impairment of any severity (mild, moderate, or severe).

Concurrent drug therapy issues:

• MAO inhibitors: Do not use concomitantly or within 14 days after MAO inhibitors; combination may cause hypertensive crisis and/or severe convulsions.

• Sedatives: Effects may be potentiated when used with other sedative drugs or ethanol.

Special populations:

• Elderly: Muscle relaxants are poorly tolerated by the elderly due to potent anticholinergic effects, sedation, and risk of fracture. Efficacy is questionable at dosages tolerated by elderly patients; avoid use (Beers Criteria). Extended release capsules not recommended for use in elderly.

Adverse Reactions

>10%:

Central nervous system: Drowsiness (29% to 39%), dizziness (1% to 11%)

Gastrointestinal: Xerostomia (21% to 32%)

1% to 10%:

Central nervous system: Fatigue (1% to 6%), headache (1% to 5%), confusion (1% to 3%), irritability (1% to 3%), mental acuity decreased (1% to 3%), nervousness (1% to 3%), somnolence (1% to 2%)

Gastrointestinal: Dyspepsia (≤4%), abdominal pain (1% to 3%), constipation (1% to 3%), diarrhea (1% to 3%), gastric regurgitation (1% to 3%), nausea (1% to 3%), unpleasant taste (1% to 3%)

Neuromuscular & skeletal: Weakness (1% to 3%)

Ocular: Blurred vision (1% to 3%)

Respiratory: Pharyngitis (1% to 3%), upper respiratory infection (1% to 3%)

<1%, postmarketing, and/or case reports: Abnormal dreams, abnormal thoughts, ageusia, agitation, anaphylaxis, angioedema, anorexia, anxiety, arrhythmia, ataxia, cholestasis, depression, diaphoresis, diplopia, disorientation, dysarthria, excitement (paradoxical, children), facial edema, flatulence, gastritis, gastrointestinal pain, hallucinations, hepatitis (rare), hypertonia, hypotension, insomnia, jaundice, liver function tests abnormal, malaise, muscle twitching, palpitation, paresthesia, pruritus, psychosis, rash, seizures, syncope, tachycardia, thirst, tinnitus, tongue edema, tremor, urinary frequency, urinary retention, urticaria, vasodilation, vertigo, vomiting

Metabolism/Transport Effects

Substrate of CYP1A2 (major), CYP2D6 (minor), CYP3A4 (minor); Note: Assignment of Major/Minor substrate status based on clinically relevant drug interaction potential

Drug Interactions

Abiraterone Acetate: May increase the serum concentration of CYP1A2 Substrates. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors (Central): Anticholinergics may diminish the therapeutic effect of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors (Central). Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors (Central) may diminish the therapeutic effect of Anticholinergics. If the anticholinergic action is a side effect of the agent, the result may be beneficial. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Alcohol (Ethyl): CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Alcohol (Ethyl). Risk C: Monitor therapy

Anticholinergics: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of other Anticholinergics. Exceptions: Levocabastine (Nasal); Paliperidone. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Antipsychotics: May enhance the serotonergic effect of Serotonin Modulators. This could result in serotonin syndrome. Risk C: Monitor therapy

CNS Depressants: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of other CNS Depressants. Exceptions: Levocabastine (Nasal). Risk C: Monitor therapy

Conivaptan: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates (Low risk). Risk C: Monitor therapy

CYP1A2 Inhibitors (Moderate): May decrease the metabolism of CYP1A2 Substrates. Risk C: Monitor therapy

CYP1A2 Inhibitors (Strong): May decrease the metabolism of CYP1A2 Substrates. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

Cyproterone: May decrease the serum concentration of CYP1A2 Substrates. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Deferasirox: May increase the serum concentration of CYP1A2 Substrates. Risk C: Monitor therapy

HydrOXYzine: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Risk C: Monitor therapy

MAO Inhibitors: Cyclobenzaprine may enhance the serotonergic effect of MAO Inhibitors. This could result in serotonin syndrome. Risk X: Avoid combination

Metoclopramide: Serotonin Modulators may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Metoclopramide. This may be manifest as symptoms consistent with serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Metyrosine: CNS Depressants may enhance the sedative effect of Metyrosine. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Peginterferon Alfa-2b: May decrease the serum concentration of CYP2D6 Substrates. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Pramlintide: May enhance the anticholinergic effect of Anticholinergics. These effects are specific to the GI tract. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

Serotonin Modulators: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of other Serotonin Modulators. The development of serotonin syndrome may occur. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

Tocilizumab: May decrease the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Ethanol/Nutrition/Herb Interactions

Ethanol: May increase CNS depression; monitor for increased effects with coadministration. Caution patients about effects.

Food: Food increases bioavailability (peak plasma concentrations increased by 35% and area under the curve by 20%) of the extended release capsule.

Herb/Nutraceutical: Avoid valerian, kava kava, gotu kola (may increase CNS depression).

Storage

Amrix®, Flexeril®: Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F).

Fexmid®: Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F).

Mechanism of Action

Centrally-acting skeletal muscle relaxant pharmacologically related to tricyclic antidepressants; reduces tonic somatic motor activity influencing both alpha and gamma motor neurons

Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics

Metabolism: Hepatic via CYP3A4, 1A2, and 2D6; may undergo enterohepatic recirculation

Bioavailability: 33% to 55%

Half-life elimination: Range: 8-37 hours; Immediate release tablet: 18 hours; Extended release capsule: 32-33 hours

Time to peak, serum: Extended release capsule: 7-8 hours

Excretion: Urine (as inactive metabolites); feces (as unchanged drug)

Dosage

Oral: Muscle spasm: Note: Do not use longer than 2-3 weeks

Capsule, extended release:

Adults: Usual: 15 mg once daily; some patients may require up to 30 mg once daily

Elderly: Use not recommended

Tablet, immediate release:

Children ≥15 years and Adults: Initial: 5 mg 3 times/day; may increase up to 10 mg 3 times/day if needed

Elderly: Initial: 5 mg; titrate dose slowly and consider less frequent dosing

Dosage adjustment in hepatic impairment:

Capsule, extended release: Mild-to-severe impairment: Use not recommended.

Tablet, immediate release:

Mild impairment: Initial: 5 mg; use with caution; titrate slowly and consider less frequent dosing

Moderate-to-severe impairment: Use not recommended

Dental Usual Dosing

Treatment of muscle spasm associated with acute TMJ pain (Note: Do not use longer than 2-3 weeks): Oral:

Adults: Initial: 5 mg 3 times/day; may increase to 7.5-10 mg 3 times/day if needed

Elderly: 5 mg 3 times/day; plasma concentration and incidence of adverse effects are increased in the elderly; dose should be titrated slowly

Administration: Oral

Extended release capsules: Administer at the same time each day. Do not crush or chew.

Test Interactions

May cause false-positive serum TCA screen.

Patient Education

Do not use alcohol. You may experience drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, or urinary retention. Report excessive drowsiness or skin rash.

Geriatric Considerations

High doses in the elderly caused drowsiness and dizziness; therefore, use the lowest dose possible. Because cyclobenzaprine causes anticholinergic effects, it may not be the skeletal muscle relaxant of choice in the elderly.

This medication is considered to be potentially inappropriate in this patient population (Beers Criteria: Quality of evidence - moderate; Strength of recommendation - strong).

Dental Health: Effects on Dental Treatment

Key adverse event(s) related to dental treatment: Xerostomia and changes in salivation (normal salivary flow resumes upon discontinuation).

Dental Health: Vasoconstrictor/Local Anesthetic Precautions

No information available to require special precautions

Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status

Drowsiness and dizziness are common; may cause nervousness or confusion

Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment

Contraindicated with MAO inhibitors or within 14 days of MAO inhibitor; concurrent use with psychotropics may exacerbate the dry mouth and sedation commonly seen with cyclobenzaprine

Nursing: Physical Assessment/Monitoring

May cause significant CNS depression. Caution patients about sedation.

Dosage Forms

Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.

Capsule, extended release, oral, as hydrochloride: 15 mg, 30 mg

Amrix®: 15 mg, 30 mg

Tablet, oral, as hydrochloride: 5 mg, 10 mg

Fexmid®: 7.5 mg

Flexeril®: 5 mg, 10 mg

Pricing: U.S. (www.drugstore.com)

Capsule, 24-hour (Amrix)

15 mg (60): $649.99

Capsule, 24-hour (Cyclobenzaprine HCl)

15 mg (30): $286.00

30 mg (30): $345.99

Tablets (Cyclobenzaprine HCl)

5 mg (30): $13.99

10 mg (30): $13.99

Tablets (Flexeril)

5 mg (30): $60.44

10 mg (30): $66.48

References

"American Geriatrics Society Updated Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults," J Am Geriatr Soc, 2012 [epub ahead of print].

Heckerling PS and Bartow TJ, “Paradoxical Diaphoresis in Cyclobenzaprine Poisoning,” Ann Intern Med, 1984, 101(6):881.

Theoharides TC, Harris RS, and Weckstein D, “Neuroleptic Malignant-Like Syndrome Due to Cyclobenzaprine?” J Clin Psychopharmacol, 1995, 15(1):79-81.

Winchell GA, King JD, Chavez-Eng CM, et al, “Cyclobenzaprine Pharmacokinetics, Including the Effects of Age, Gender, and Hepatic Insufficiency,” J Clin Pharmacol, 2002, 42(1):61-9.

Wong EC, Koenig J, and Turk J, “Potential Interference of Cyclobenzaprine and Norcyclobenzaprine With HPLC Measurement of Amitriptyline and Nortriptyline: Resolution by GC-MS Analysis,” J Anal Toxicol, 1995, 19(4):218-24.

International Brand Names

  • Binelax ER (KP)
  • Ciclamil (CN)
  • Cycloflex (IL)
  • Flexer (TW)
  • Flexiban (AR, IT, PT)
  • Miosan (BR)
  • Musgud (TW)
  • Tensodox (EC, PE)
  • Yuredol (MX)
  • Yurelax (ES)

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Last full review/revision April 2012

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