What is Flexeril ?

Flexeril is a muscle relaxant. It works by blocking nerve impulses (or pain sensations) that are sent to your brain.

Flexeril may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Flexeril is used together with rest and physical therapy to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain or injury

How should I take Flexeril?

Take this medicine with a full glass of water. Do not crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release capsule. Swallow the pill whole. Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take Flexeril in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Flexeril is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include rest, physical therapy, or other pain relief measures. Follow your doctor's instructions.

What is the most important information I should know about Flexeril?

Flexeril can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of Flexeril.

Do not take Flexeril if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take Flexeril before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body. You should not take Flexeril if you have recently had a heart attack, or if you have a heart rhythm disorder, congestive heart failure, heart block, or an overactive thyroid

What should I discuss with my doctor before taking Flexeril?

Do not take Flexeril if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take Flexeril before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body. Do not use Flexeril if you have recently had a heart attack, or if you have: * a heart rhythm disorder; * congestive heart failure; * heart block; or * an overactive thyroid.

Before using Flexeril, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have: * problems with urination; * enlarged prostate; * glaucoma; or * liver disease.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Flexeril. FDA pregnancy category B. Flexeril is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Flexeril passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of Flexeril.

What happens if I miss a dose ?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose ?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of Flexeril can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, fast heartbeat, tremors or shaking, slurred speech, confusion, nausea, vomiting, hallucinations (seeing things), chest pain, or seizure (convulsions).

Flexeril side effects

The most common side effect with Celexa is sexual problems in male patients.

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 Flexeril 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 side of the body; * sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance; * feeling light-headed, fainting; * confusion, weakness, lack of coordination; * nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); * seizure (convulsions); * unusual thoughts or behavior, hallucinations (seeing things); or * easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Flexeril.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.