Cyclobenzaprine
Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) is a skeletal muscle relaxant that eases Muscle Spasms by acting on the brain and nervous system. The one product on this shelf is the 15 mg tablet.
Key points
- Do not take cyclobenzaprine with MAO inhibitors (such as phenelzine or selegiline), and wait at least two weeks after stopping one before starting it.
- Older adults should generally avoid this medicine, as safer and more effective alternatives exist for the same condition.
- Cyclobenzaprine causes drowsiness, and alcohol worsens this effect.
How does Cyclobenzaprine work?
Cyclobenzaprine acts in the brain and spinal cord rather than at the muscle itself. It dampens the nerve signals that keep a muscle locked in spasm, which lets the muscle relax.
Cyclobenzaprine sits in the Pain & Anti-inflammatories category and is intended for short-term use, no more than three weeks.