Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine Hcl) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

Pill Identifier Search

February 3, 2012

Flexeril

Types of Pain Medications »

For what conditions are pain medications used?

Virtually any disease as well as most injuries and surgical procedures involve some degree of pain. It's not surprising, then, that pain medications, also known as analgesics, are among the most commonly used drugs in the U.S. Pain can range from minor, acute complaints, such as a muscle sprain, to chronic, severe pain, such as that sometimes experienced by cancer patients. Some drugs used for other conditions also are effective at relieving certain types of pain. These drugs include certain drugs used for depression, epilepsy, and anxiety.

What are the differences among the types of pain medications?

Pain medications can be broadly classified into two categories: prescription and nonprescription. In the latter category are several mild anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, naproxen), as well as acetaminophen. These are mainly meant for use with short-term, acute pain -- menstrual cramps,...

Read the Types of Pain Medications article »

« Previous
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
next »

Flexeril User Reviews >>

Flexeril

Back Pain Slideshow Pictures

Sciatica Pain Slideshow

Take the Back Pain Quiz!

font size

FLEXERIL
(cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride) Tablet, Film Coated

DRUG DESCRIPTION

Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride is a white, crystalline tricyclic amine salt with the empirical formula C₂₀H₂₁N•HCl and a molecular weight of 311.9. It has a melting point of 217#C, and a pKa of 8.47 at 25#C. It is freely soluble in water and alcohol, sparingly soluble in isopropanol, and insoluble in hydrocarbon solvents. If aqueous solutions are made alkaline, the free base separates. Cyclobenzaprine HCl is designated chemically as 3-(5H -dibenzo[a,d] cyclohepten-5-ylidene)-N, N-dimethyl-1-propanamine hydrochloride, and has the following structural formula:

FLEXERIL (cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride) Structural Formula Illustration

FLEXERIL 5 mg (Cyclobenzaprine HCl) is supplied as a 5 mg tablet for oral administration. FLEXERIL 10 mg (Cyclobenzaprine HCl) is supplied as a 10 mg tablet for oral administration.

FLEXERIL 5 mg (Cyclobenzaprine HCl) tablets contain the following inactive ingredients: hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, lactose, magnesium stearate, starch, titanium dioxide, Yellow D&C #10 Aluminum Lake HT, and Yellow FD&C #6 Aluminum Lake.

FLEXERIL 10 mg (Cyclobenzaprine HCl) tablets contain the following inactive ingredients: hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, iron oxide, lactose, magnesium stearate, starch, and titanium dioxide.

What are the possible side effects of cyclobenzaprine (Amrix, Comfort Pac with Cyclobenzaprine, Fexmid, Flexeril)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using cyclobenzaprine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one...

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Flexeril »

What are the precautions when taking cyclobenzaprine hcl (Flexeril)?

Before taking cyclobenzaprine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia), other heart problems (congestive heart failure, heart block or conduction disorders), recent heart attack, moderate or severe liver disease.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: severe difficulty urinating (urinary retention),...

Read All Potential Precautions of Flexeril »

Last reviewed on RxList: 4/13/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.