Cyclobenzaprine: Oral tablet

What is this medicine?

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

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They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-heart disease, irregular heartbeat, or previous heart attack
-liver disease
-thyroid problem
-an unusual or allergic reaction to cyclobenzaprine, tricyclic antidepressants, lactose, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

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Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. If this medicine upsets your stomach, take it with food or milk. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

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If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

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Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

-certain medicines for fungal infections like fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole
-cisapride
-dofetilide
-dronedarone
-halofantrine
-levomethadyl
-MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
-narcotic medicines for cough
-pimozide
-thioridazine
-ziprasidone

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

-alcohol
-antihistamines for allergy, cough and cold
-certain medicines for anxiety or sleep
-certain medicines for cancer
-certain medicines for depression like amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline
-certain medicines for infection like alfuzosin, chloroquine, clarithromycin, levofloxacin, mefloquine, pentamidine, troleandomycin
-certain medicines for irregular heart beat
-certain medicines for seizures like phenobarbital, primidone
-contrast dyes
-general anesthetics like halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, propofol
-local anesthetics like lidocaine, pramoxine, tetracaine
-medicines that relax muscles for surgery
-narcotic medicines for pain
-other medicines that prolong the QT interval (cause an abnormal heart rhythm)
-phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

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Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

If you are taking another medicine that also causes drowsiness, you may have more side effects. Give your health care provider a list of all medicines you use. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take. Do not take more medicine than directed. Call emergency for help if you have problems breathing or unusual sleepiness.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

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Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

-allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
-breathing problems
-chest pain
-fast, irregular heartbeat
-hallucinations
-seizures
-unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

-headache
-nausea, vomiting