Cyclobenzaprine – Flexeril

The following information is NOT meant to be used to treat yourself or patients

• Generic name = Cyclobenzaprine

  

• Trade name = Flexeril, Amrix
  
• Class = muscle relaxant
• MOA
  • Centrally-acting
  • Thought to work at the brain stem, as opposed to spinal cord or neuromuscular junction.
  • Structurally related to tricyclic antidepressants
• Advantages
  • Relatively inexpensive generic – on many $4 plans
• Disadvantages
  • Lots of sedation
• Dosing
  • Starting dose:  5 mg PO tid
  • Max dose:  30 mg/day
  • Adequate trial period:  2-3 weeks
• Note:
  • 5 mg PO qd to start in elderly patients
  • Amrix is an expensive extended-release formula; dosed daily
  • Avoid in patients with cardiac arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation)