Cyclobenzaprine , sold under the brand name Flexeril among others, is a muscle relaxant drug used to relieve skeletal spasms and associated pain in acute musculoskeletal conditions. This is the most studied drug for this app. It has also been used off-label for the treatment of fibromyalgia.
By 2015, the cost for a typical treatment program in the United States is less than US $ 25 .
Video Cyclobenzaprine
Medical use
After an injury, a painful muscle spasm can occur to stabilize the affected part of the body and prevent further damage. Cyclobenzaprine is used to treat muscle spasms associated with painful acute musculoskeletal conditions. It relieves pain in the first two weeks, peaking within the first few days, but has no proven benefit after two weeks. Since there is no proven benefit beyond that, treatment should not be continued in the long run. This is not useful for flexibility due to neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy.
Cyclobenzaprine also showed effectiveness in the treatment of symptoms of fibromyalgia, with reported amounts needed to treat 4.8 (meaning that 1 patient out of every 4.8 benefits of treatment) for pain reduction, but no change in fatigue or tender points. It can also be used in conjunction with other treatments for tetanus.
Maps Cyclobenzaprine
Side effects
Cyclobenzaprine results in increased sleepiness (38%), dry mouth (24%), dizziness (10%), and total adverse effects. Drowsiness and dry mouth increased with increasing doses. Dysphagia, a life-threatening side effect, may be rare.
The sedative effect of cyclobenzaprine may be due to its antagonistic effects on histamine, serotonin, and muscarinic receptors. Agitation is a common side effect observed especially in the elderly. In general, the National Committee for Quality Assurance recommends avoiding the use of cyclobenzaprine in the elderly because of the potential for more severe side effects. Treatment and support protocols should follow the same as for structurally related tricyclic, such as tricyclic antidepressants.
Some experts believe that cyclobenzaprine should be avoided in elderly patients as it may lead to confusion, delirium, and cognitive impairment.
Overdose
The most common overdose effects are drowsiness and tachycardia. Rare and potentially important complications are heart attack, abnormal heart rhythm, severe low blood pressure, seizures, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. A life-threatening overdose is rare, because the lethal median dose is about 338 milligrams/kilogram in mice and 425 mg/kg in mice. Potential harm is increased when central nervous system depression and antidepressants are also used; Deliberate overdosage often includes alcohol among other drugs.
Interactions
Cyclobenzaprine has a major contraindication with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). At least one study also found an increased risk of serotonin syndrome when cyclobenzaprine was taken with serotonergic duloxetine or phenelzine.
These substances can interact with cyclobenzaprine:
- Depression of the central nervous system (eg alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, nonbenzodiazepines, phenothiazines, carbamates, barbiturates, tranquilizers)
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors taken within two weeks after cyclobenzaprine can result in serious and life-threatening side effects.
Cyclobenzaprine may affect the drugs used in surgical sedation and some surgeons require that patients temporarily suspend their use before surgery. The prescribing doctor should be consulted before stopping, and continuing, cyclobenzaprine.
Comparison with other drugs
Cyclobenzaprine has been found to be inferior to tizanidine, orphenadrine, and carisoprodol in the treatment of acute lower back pain, although nothing has been shown to be effective for long-term use (beyond two weeks of treatment). There was no difference in scores of pain or seizures recorded among these agents, or when compared with benzodiazepines. However, nonbenzodiazepine treatment (including cyclobenzaprine) was found to have a lower risk of drug abuse and continued use of medical advice. Side effects such as sedation and ataxia are also less clear with nonbenzodiazepine antispasmodic.
In a study of treatment of musculoskeletal pain relief with cyclobenzaprine alone or in combination with ibuprofen, there were no significant differences in pain scores recorded among the three treatment groups. The peak benefit is found to occur on the seventh day of treatment for all groups.
Formulation
By mouth, cyclobenzaprine is marketed as Apo-Cyclobenzaprin, Fexmid, Flexeril, and Novo-Cycloprine. It's available in generic form. The once-daily release formulation, Amrix, is available. Cyclobenzaprine is also used by topical pharmacies in topical creams.
Cyclobenzaprine is set in the US for prescription use only. While not included in most government guidelines as controlled substances, its proprietary prescription without being prescribed or currently may be illegal, depending on various state and local laws.
Research
The rapidly absorbed form of cyclobenzaprine is being studied in treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
See also
- List of investigative anxiolytics
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
0 Comments