Flexeril - an overview
Flexeril, active ingredient cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride, is a prescription muscle relaxer. It is prescribed for the treatment of muscle spasms that are caused by muscle issues or injury.
The maker
McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals is the maker of the brand name form of Flexeril. Generic forms of this medication are manufactured by many different companies.
What it does
At this time, it isn't clear how Flexeril is effective at treating muscle spasms. It is clear that it primarily works within the brain stem and is not active in the spinal cord or muscles. This medicine only works when easing muscle spasms that are due to issues within the muscles, not with spinal cord or brain causes.
Secondary Flexeril effects
There is the risk for secondary effects while taking any medication and the same can be true of Flexeril. Not all people that take this medicine will have secondary effects because most do well while taking it. If you do notice any effects, they are most often mild, so you will likely not need treatment. Secondary effects that are serious are not as common.
Most of the frequently reported secondary effects might include:
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
Generic form
At this time, the generic and brand name forms of Flexeril are available for sale.
What you need to know
You should not take this medication if you've been taking any kind of MAOI, including Marplan, Parnate, Nardil or Emsam or Edepryl at any time in the last two weeks. There is the potential for life threatening and serious secondary effects if you do not allow MAOIs to completely clear from your body before taking Flexeril.
Do not take this medication if you've recently suffered a heart attack or have a disorder that affects the heart rhythm. If you have heart block, overactive thyroid or congestive heart failure, you should not take this medication.
