Fexmid

Generic name: Cyclobenzaprine
Drug class: Skeletal muscle relaxants

Usage of Fexmid

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

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

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

Fexmid 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.

Fexmid may cause serious side effects. Stop using Fexmid 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 Fexmid 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 Fexmid

You should not use Fexmid 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.

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

Do not use Fexmid 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 Fexmid 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 Fexmid 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.

Relate drugs

How to use Fexmid

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.

Fexmid 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 Fexmid 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 Fexmid 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 Fexmid

Using Fexmid 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 Fexmid, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

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