Get Informed: Flexeril
Active Ingredient(s)
Cyclobenzaprine
What does it do?
This product is commonly used together with rest and physical therapy to relieve muscle spasm. It is believed to work primarily on the central nervous system rather than on the muscle itself.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 5:39 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-18 6:14 PM
Other Names
- Flexeril
- Cyclobenzaprine
- Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride
- Amrix
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- B
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 26 Aug 1977
- Est US Patients*
- 2,254,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Flexeril or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Flexeril
There have been no alerts regarding Flexeril during the past year.
Flexeril Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Flexeril used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 13,200 patients that use Flexeril (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle Spasms | 48% | 
|
| Back / Neck Pain | 11% | 
|
| Migraine / Headache | 7% |
|
| Restless Leg Syndrome | 5% |
|
| Fibromyalgia | 5% | 
|
| Lupus | 2% | 
|
| Pain-Musculoskeletal | 2% |
|
| Other | 30% |
|
How well does Flexeril work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 13,200 users taking Flexeril (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 79%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Flexeril outweigh the bad things.
- 17%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Flexeril.
Common Side Effects of Flexeril
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 13,200 users taking Flexeril (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
38% of patients experience side-effects on Flexeril
7% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Flexeril
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Drowsiness
-
Fatigue
-
Constipation
-
Dryness
-
Restlessness
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Abdominal Pain, Anxiety, Blurred Vision, Dizziness, Dry Mouth, Memory/Speech Problems, Mood/Behavior Changes
Global Patient Feedback for Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I take Flexeril w/Voltaren to relieve spasms & control pain (osteoarthritis) in my neck so bad I couldn't turn my head enough to drive. I take 75mg of Voltaren w/ Pepcid right after dinner & follow later w/10mg of Flexeril. I felt some benefits quickly - after about a week of that combo plus PT my issues were markedly reduced. Now almost all difficulty with my neck is gone. Voltaren can be dangerous to the liver so I know I won't have it much longer. I'm grateful for the combo!
52 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-26 15:02:34
Question/Comment:
I was told to take this for my newly diagnosed connective tissue issues. I take 1mg of xanax at dinner to help with aniety and for sleep. I've been taking the 1mg for 3 weeks straight. Before that it was just occationally. Since my connective tissue issues have been worse the doctor told me to stop the xanax and use the muscle relaxer and the celebrex. I took the muscle relaxer last night but not the celebrex. Just wanted to try one thing at a time but now today I feel like I am having withdraw symptoms from the xanax. The pharmcy told me that I could just stop. I felt since I was only taking it about twice a week and then for 3 weeks straight I would be fine. I don't think that is the case with me. My question to anyone that has gone through this is can I ween myself from the xanax while taking the muscle relaxer? I am probable going to use the muscle relaxer at bedtime around 10 and I take the xanax at about 7 in the evening. DIdn't know if I would do harm to myself. I know I can come off the xanax but it might take about two weeks to ween myself. I took it for two months last year and stopped had withdraw symptoms and then wound up weening myself and did it fine. Then the other health stuff came up and I had to take one or two a week to get me through and help me sleep. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks
40 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-18 15:42:27
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
You can taper off the Xanax while taking cyclobenzaprine. The issue with taking both of these drugs is that there is an increased risk of drowsiness and sedation sine both of these medications have these side effects. Since you are decreasing the dose of the Xanax, you will be less likely to experience drowsiness. Also taking them in the evening will allow you to better manage any drowsiness that may occur since you will be close to bedtime.
Posted: 2009-09-23 11:52:32
Question/Comment:
This drug has helped me sleep at night and eases a pulmonary attack of the lung. Cramping sensations a tightening in the back and chest. I also take warfarin, (coumadin), and wellbutrin.
I am having eye spasms of the eyelid which is causing blurriness sometimes. I not sure what if this drug has anything to do with that.
48 year old female
48 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-16 13:49:07
Question/Comment:
I have been taking cyclobenzaprine 10 mg three times a day for Fibromyalgia. I have been taking it for 18 years. One of my doctor's told me that it causes blindness! Anyone else get told that?
It works great on ALL my tendonitises.
I've even been prescribed 20 mg. three times a day for flare ups.
Has anyone else been told it causes blidness?
65 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-04 16:13:41
Answer/Reply:
No my doctor has never told me that but I have noticed that I cannot read up close like I have been able to before but I think that might be from age but who knows I guess that I will have to ask my doctors and friends that work in the health care field. Thank you for bringing that to my attention though.
A 45 yr. old female from the frozen tundra of Wisconsin
45 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-09 16:23:24
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Blurred vision has been reported with cyclobenzaprine use, although it is not very common - less than 1% of iGuard members taking cyclobenzaprine report blurred vision. iGuard has not received any reports of cyclobenzaprine causing blindness. However, cyclobenzaprine can worsen glaucoma in patients who have this condition. Untreated glaucoma can lead to blindness. If you are still concerned about how cyclobenzaprine may affect your eyesight, please follow up with your doctor to discuss this concern.
Posted: 2009-06-11 22:32:21
Question/Comment:
I have Piraformes Muscle Syndrome and I was prescribed Flexeril and Mobic and it has worked for me. Now I have found out that I have a pinched nerve in my neck and was told to start to take Lyrica.
30 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-05 18:57:30
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
46
Patient Comments about
Flexeril