Back & Neck Pain Treatment How the Skeletal Muscle Relaxer Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine) Works By Anne Asher, CPT Anne Asher, CPT Facebook LinkedIn Anne Asher, ACE-certified personal trainer, health coach, and orthopedic exercise specialist, is a back and neck pain expert. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 09, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT LinkedIn Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist with experience in hospital-based acute care and outpatient therapy with both children and adults. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Fact checked Verywell Health content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Nick Blackmer Fact checked by Nick Blackmer LinkedIn Nick Blackmer is a librarian, fact-checker, and researcher with more than 20 years’ experience in consumer-oriented health and wellness content. Learn about our editorial process Print Muscle spasm treatment can range from massage and stretching on the holistic side to drugs on the conventional medical side. To help release very tight muscle spasms, some people take a medication called cyclobenzaprine. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1977 under the name Flexeril, this drug is just one type of skeletal muscle relaxer on the market. Below is a fact sheet about cyclobenzaprine, including side effects, generic information, dosage and storage information, and more. Tom Merton / OJO Images / Getty Images Names Flexeril was the original brand name for cyclobenzaprine. It is now available as a generic, and an extended-release version is available either as a generic or under the brand name Amrix. Action Cyclobenzaprine is used short-term, in conjunction with physical therapy and rest for acute cases of muscle injury, for example, sprains and strains. By relaxing ultra-tight muscles, it may help you make faster progress with your home exercise program. Rather than working directly in the muscles, cyclobenzaprine works in the central nervous system—particularly the brain stem—to relieve spasms. Administration and Dosage As with any medication, cyclobenzaprine should be taken according to your healthcare provider’s or pharmacist’s instructions. It’s meant to be used for about 2 to 3 weeks rather than for the long term. Generally, cyclobenzaprine is taken three times a day in tablet form. Immediate-release tablets contain 5 or 10 mg, while extended-release tablets contain 15 or 30 mg. Don’t take it upon yourself to increase your dosage. If you feel you need more, speak to your healthcare provider. If you miss a dose and it is now closer to the time of the next dose, resume taking the medication at the next scheduled time. Do not double dose to make up for a missed dosage. Storage Store cyclobenzaprine at room temperature or as instructed by the pharmacist. Side Effects, Complications, and Precautions Of the potential side effects and complications from taking cyclobenzaprine, one of the most important is possible drowsiness or dizziness. Don’t drive or operate machinery or do anything that requires you to be alert after taking cyclobenzaprine. Also, avoid alcohol and other depressants, which can compound the risks. Some of the most common side effects include but are not limited to: Dry mouth Drowsiness Dizziness Tiredness Constipation Blurred vision Unpleasant taste Nervousness Confusion Abdominal pain or discomfort Serious side effects are rare, but if these do occur they require prompt medical attention. These include, but are not limited to: Mental and mood changes, for example, hallucinations and confusionDifficulty in urinatingDark urineFast, pounding, and/or irregular heartbeatFaintingYellowing of the eyes and/or skinStomach and/or abdominal painPersistent nausea, vomiting, and/or lack of appetiteSeizuresLoss of coordination Note that older people are more sensitive to side effects associated with this medication, and pregnant women should use cyclobenzaprine only if directed by their healthcare provider. The drug may also pass into breast milk. Cyclobenzaprine may contain inactive ingredients that sometimes cause allergic reactions. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider and pharmacist about this before taking this drug. You also should be transparent about any liver disease, thyroid problems, heart problems, glaucoma, and/or difficulty urinating you’ve had in the past. This way, your healthcare provider can determine if you are at risk for complications. The same is true for other medications you may be taking. Frequently Asked Questions What is cyclobenzaprine? Cyclobenzaprine is a prescription drug that helps relieve muscle spasms. These muscle spasms or cramps can result from dehydration, muscle fatigue, electrolyte depletion, pinched nerves, and other conditions. What are the side effects of cyclobenzaprine? The biggest side effect of cyclobenzaprine is possible drowsiness or dizziness. Other side effects include dry mouth, constipation, nervousness, abdominal pain, and more. Although serious side effects are rare, they can include hallucinations or confusion, difficulty urinating, irregular heartbeat, fainting, seizures, and loss of coordination. Medical attention is recommended if these serious side effects occur. What is the typical dosage of cyclobenzaprine? Cyclobenzaprine is available in immediate-release tablets of 5 or 10 mg as well as extended-release tablets of 15 or 30 mg. In most cases, it is taken three times daily for about two to three weeks. A healthcare provider will prescribe a specific dosage and schedule for your needs. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 2 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed. Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride- cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride tablet, film coated [drug label]. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed. Amrix- cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride capsule, extended release [drug label].