Amrix

Generic name: Cyclobenzaprine
Drug class: Skeletal muscle relaxants

Usage of Amrix

Amrix is a muscle relaxant. It works by blocking nerve impulses (or pain sensations) that are sent to your brain.

Amrix is used together with rest and physical therapy to relieve muscle spasms caused by painful conditions such as an injury.

Amrix may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Amrix side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Amrix may cause serious side effects. Stop using Amrix and call your doctor at once if you have:

  • fast or irregular heartbeats;
  • chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder; or
  • sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), slurred speech, balance problems.

    • Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

    Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults.

    Common side effects of Amrix may include:

  • drowsiness, tiredness;
  • headache, dizziness;
  • dry mouth; or
  • upset stomach, nausea, constipation.

    • This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

    Before taking Amrix

    You should not use Amrix if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

  • a thyroid disorder;
  • heart block, heart rhythm disorder, congestive heart failure; or
  • if you have recently had a heart attack.

    • Amrix is not approved for use by anyone younger than 15 years old.

    Do not use Amrix if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

    Some medicines can interact with Amrix and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Be sure your doctor knows if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. Ask your doctor before making any changes in how or when you take your medications.

    Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • liver disease;
  • glaucoma;
  • enlarged prostate; or
  • problems with urination.

    • It is not known whether Amrix will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

    It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

    Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine.

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    How to use Amrix

    Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

    Amrix is usually taken once daily for only 2 or 3 weeks. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

    Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

    Take the medicine at the same time each day.

    Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 weeks, or if they get worse.

    Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

    Warnings

    You should not use Amrix if you have a thyroid disorder, heart block, congestive heart failure, a heart rhythm disorder, or you have recently had a heart attack.

    Do not use Amrix if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

    What other drugs will affect Amrix

    Using Amrix with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

    Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

  • bupropion (Zyban, for smoking cessation);
  • meperidine;
  • tramadol;
  • verapamil;
  • cold or allergy medicine that contains an antihistamine (Benadryl and others);
  • medicine to treat Parkinson's disease;
  • medicine to treat excess stomach acid, stomach ulcer, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome;
  • medicine to treat overactive bladder; or
  • bronchodilator asthma medication.

    • This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Amrix, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

    Popular FAQ

    Immediate-release cyclobenzaprine tablets work in about 30 to 60 minutes to start relieving your muscle spasm pain. Its duration of action is 4 to 6 hours and it is typically given 3 times per day. It may take up to 7 days for you to see the full therapeutical effect. The extended-release cyclobenzaprine capsules (brand name: Amrix) are usually given once per day but may take longer to start working. Cyclobenzaprine use for periods longer than 2 or 3 weeks is not recommended.

    Yes, cyclobenzaprine can make you very sleepy and this side effect may get worse with higher doses. Drowsiness is the most commonly reported side effect in studies, occurring in up to 38% (38 out of 100) of people. Fatigue and dizziness may also occur. Avoid or limit the use of alcohol or other sedating medicines while being treated with cyclobenzaprine. Also avoid driving, operating machinery, or other hazardous activities until you know how cyclobenzaprine affects you.

    For most adults and adolescents 15 years of age and older, the maximum recommended dose of immediate-release cyclobenzaprine tablets is 10 mg three times a day. The maximum adult dose of the extended-release cyclobenzaprine (brand name: Amix) is 30 mg once per day. Always follow your doctor's dosing instructions. Continue reading

    Common antidepressants used for orthopedic pain relief may include SSRIs like fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft), SNRIs such as duloxetine (Cymbalta), or tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like amitriptyline (Elavil) or nortriptyline (Pamelor). Continue reading

    Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is a fast-acting medicine and you should start to feel some muscle relaxant effects within 30 minutes to one hour. The full effect can take up to 7 days. The drowsy side effect will set in quickly, too, so be sure you are not driving or doing other hazardous activities. Continue reading

    No, cyclobenzaprine is not classified as a controlled substance by the DEA and does not have physically addictive or abuse properties like an opioid or benzodiazepine. It is not an opioid ("narcotic") drug. However, as with many drugs, some patients may feel psychologically dependent or experience withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation of cyclobenzaprine. Continue reading

    Immediate-release cyclobenzaprine tablets work in about 30 to 60 minutes to start relieving your muscle spasm pain. Its duration of action is 4 to 6 hours and it is typically given 3 times per day. It may take up to 7 days for you to see the full therapeutical effect. The extended-release cyclobenzaprine capsules (brand name: Amrix) are usually given once per day but may take longer to start working. Cyclobenzaprine use for periods longer than 2 or 3 weeks is not recommended.

    Yes, cyclobenzaprine can make you very sleepy and this side effect may get worse with higher doses. Drowsiness is the most commonly reported side effect in studies, occurring in up to 38% (38 out of 100) of people. Fatigue and dizziness may also occur. Avoid or limit the use of alcohol or other sedating medicines while being treated with cyclobenzaprine. Also avoid driving, operating machinery, or other hazardous activities until you know how cyclobenzaprine affects you.

    For most adults and adolescents 15 years of age and older, the maximum recommended dose of immediate-release cyclobenzaprine tablets is 10 mg three times a day. The maximum adult dose of the extended-release cyclobenzaprine (brand name: Amix) is 30 mg once per day. Always follow your doctor's dosing instructions. Continue reading

    Common antidepressants used for orthopedic pain relief may include SSRIs like fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft), SNRIs such as duloxetine (Cymbalta), or tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like amitriptyline (Elavil) or nortriptyline (Pamelor). Continue reading

    Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is a fast-acting medicine and you should start to feel some muscle relaxant effects within 30 minutes to one hour. The full effect can take up to 7 days. The drowsy side effect will set in quickly, too, so be sure you are not driving or doing other hazardous activities. Continue reading

    No, cyclobenzaprine is not classified as a controlled substance by the DEA and does not have physically addictive or abuse properties like an opioid or benzodiazepine. It is not an opioid ("narcotic") drug. However, as with many drugs, some patients may feel psychologically dependent or experience withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation of cyclobenzaprine. Continue reading

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