The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approvedcyclobenzaprineformuscle-based injuriesin addition to rest andphysical therapy.
However,muscle relaxants, including cyclobenzaprine, can causedrowsiness.
Read on for more information on the consumption of cyclobenzaprine.
Wladimir Bulgar / Getty Images
Wladimir Bulgar / Getty Images
Understanding Skeletal Muscle Relaxants
Muscle spasmsoccur when contractions tighten your muscles involuntarily.
Spasms are uncontrollable, unpredictable, and can be disruptive and painful.
Muscle spasms occur when muscles tighten involuntarily.
They may feel like pain knots in your muscles.
Muscle spasms can develop due to injuries, overuse, poor posture, stress, etc.
Furthermore, they can involve all or part of a muscle or several different muscles.
Muscle spasms are common but present differently in different people.
Some muscle spasms may be mild and last briefly, while others may be persistent or occur repeatedly.
What Is Cyclobenzaprine?
It is a tablet and an extended-release (ER) capsule to take by mouth.
Cyclobenzaprine was initially approved under Flexeril, but the brand-name version has since been discontinued.
Usage
Cyclobenzaprine should only be used for up to three weeks.
Cyclobenzaprine is approved for use in adults and children ages 15 years and older.
It acts as a depressant, slowing certain activities in the CNS.
Cyclobenzaprine reduces overactive signals in the CNS that lead to excessive muscle contractions and resulting spasms.
Cyclobenzaprine relaxes the muscles by slowing down these signals and calming nerve activity.
The drug relieves muscle-related pain because of strains, sprains, or other acute (short-term) musculoskeletal issues.
Specifically, cyclobenzaprine acts on thebrainstemof the central nervous system, producing a relaxing effect.
This is accomplished by blocking specific serotonin receptors alleviating muscle spasms.
Cyclobenzaprine is considered a CNS depressant but is not a controlled substance and is non-addicting.
Off-Label Uses
It is possible that cyclobenzaprine can be prescribed for other conditions off-label.
How Long Does Cyclobenzaprine Make You Sleepy?
The drug acts on receptors responsible for regulating muscle movements and relaxing tense and tightened muscles.
Limiting Drowsiness
In clinical studies, approximately 39% of individuals taking cyclobenzaprine experienced drowsiness.
So, not everyone feels sleepy after taking it.
If you constantly feel lethargic or excessively sleepy while taking cyclobenzaprine, speak with a healthcare provider.
They may recommend a lower dose or a different treatment option for you.
This feeling could last for around eight hours after taking each dose.
The half-life of cyclobenzaprine is 18 hours.
For context, half-life measurement is the time required for the body to clear half a drug dose.
So, after you stop taking it, cyclobenzaprine should be out of your system within about four days.
Doses are usually taken eight hours apart.
Sometimes, the dose may be increased to 10 mg every eight hours, as needed.
Healthcare providers may recommend a lower dose for older adults or individuals with liver problems.
Avoid alcohol while taking cyclobenzaprine, which can increase the drowsiness side effect and impair cognitive function.
Side Effects & Precautions
Like all drugs, cyclobenzaprine may cause some unwanted side effects.
As such, be sure to monitor yourself or a loved one for the emergence of side effects.
If side effects from cyclobenzaprine worsen or fail to dissipate, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Pros and Cons
Is cyclobenzaprine right for you?
Below is a summary of the pros and cons of taking cyclobenzaprine.
you might consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
It is an effective medication to treat uncontrolled and sometimes painful muscle spasms.
Cyclobenzaprine is a popular muscle relaxant, formerly known by the brand name Flexeril.
Because of its depressant effects on the CNS, cyclobenzaprine can cause drowsiness as a side effect.
This side effect can start within 30 minutes and last about eight hours after a dose.
The individual response can vary; lethargy and tiredness do not constantly occur in everyone who takes cyclobenzaprine.
Probably not, since the medication may cause drowsiness and reduced alertness.
To be safe, dont plan on getting behind the wheel or operating heavy machinery after taking cyclobenzaprine.
No, cyclobenzaprine is not designed to help with muscle spasms due tospinal cord injuryor brain damage.
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National Library of Medicine: LiverTox.Muscle relaxants.
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