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Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet side effects: A detailed guide

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More common side effectsMild side effectsSerious side effectsFAQsCouponSide effects in detailWarningsAsk your doctor
Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet is prescribed to treat muscle spasms in adults and some children. It’s a muscle relaxant that may cause mild or serious side effects. These include sleepiness and dry mouth.
Medically reviewed by Victor Nguyen, PharmD, MBA
Updated on

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved cyclobenzaprine oral tablet to treat muscle spasms in adults and children ages 15 years and older. These are caused by sudden, painful muscle conditions. Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet is taken for short periods of time along with rest and physical therapy.

This article describes possible side effects of cyclobenzaprine oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for cyclobenzaprine. You can explore this overview article to learn more about cyclobenzaprine oral tablet, including the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.

Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet is a generic medication. It isn’t available in a brand-name version.  Cyclobenzaprine also comes in an extended-release capsule, but this form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about this form, talk with your doctor.

More common side effects of cyclobenzaprine

Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.

Commonly reported side effects of cyclobenzaprine oral tablet include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of cyclobenzaprine in detail” section below.

Mild side effects of cyclobenzaprine

Cyclobenzaprine may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of cyclobenzaprine oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of cyclobenzaprine in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with cyclobenzaprine oral tablet. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.

Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Serious side effects of cyclobenzaprine

Cyclobenzaprine may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from cyclobenzaprine oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with cyclobenzaprine.

Serious side effects of cyclobenzaprine oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of cyclobenzaprine in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with cyclobenzaprine oral tablet. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.

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Common questions about side effects of cyclobenzaprine

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of cyclobenzaprine oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How long do side effects of cyclobenzaprine typically last?

It’s not known how long certain side effects of cyclobenzaprine oral tablet will last. However, cyclobenzaprine is meant to be taken short term. It’s typically prescribed for up to 3 weeks.

If you have questions about how long side effects of cyclobenzaprine will last, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can cyclobenzaprine cause weight gain or weight loss?

It’s possible. Weight gain or weight loss were not reported in studies of cyclobenzaprine oral tablet. However, in rare cases, some people reported weight changes after the drug became available. It’s not known if these weight changes were due to cyclobenzaprine.

If you have concerns about weight changes while taking cyclobenzaprine, talk with your doctor.

Is anxiety a side effect of cyclobenzaprine?

Anxiety may be a rare side effect of cyclobenzaprine oral tablet. It wasn’t reported in studies of the drug. But some people reported symptoms of anxiety while taking the drug after it became available.

Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about anxiety while taking cyclobenzaprine.

Will cyclobenzaprine cause changes in urination?

In rare cases, changes in urination were reported with cyclobenzaprine oral tablet after the drug became available. This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of the drug. Symptoms include needing to urinate more often and urinary retention (not being able to empty the bladder).

If you have concerns about changes in urination while taking cyclobenzaprine, talk with your doctor.

Does cyclobenzaprine cause long-term side effects?

No, long-term side effects aren’t expected with cyclobenzaprine oral tablet. In studies, specific side effects weren’t seen in people who had taken the drug for a long time. Long lasting side effects after treatment ended also weren’t reported.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about possible long-term side effects with cyclobenzaprine.

Is withdrawal a possible side effect of cyclobenzaprine?

No, withdrawal is not an expected side effect of cyclobenzaprine oral tablet. (Withdrawal describes symptoms that can occur when you stop taking a drug your body is dependent on.)

People who took cyclobenzaprine for a long time and stopped it suddenly reported headache, nausea, and not feeling well. However, these side effects were not related to withdrawal.

If you have questions about cyclobenzaprine and withdrawal, talk with your doctor.

Coupon for cyclobenzaprine

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for cyclobenzaprine when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Side effects of cyclobenzaprine in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of cyclobenzaprine oral tablet.

Fatigue

In studies, fatigue (low energy) was common in people taking cyclobenzaprine oral tablet. This side effect was usually mild.

With fatigue, you may feel tired all the time. Symptoms may include muscle pain or weakness, changes in mood, and dizziness.

Certain factors can increase the risk of fatigue with cyclobenzaprine oral tablet. These include other health conditions or medications you may take.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of fatigue, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend getting enough sleep or making certain lifestyle changes.

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Dry mouth

In studies, dry mouth was common in people taking cyclobenzaprine oral tablet. This side effect was usually mild.

With a dry mouth, you have less moisture in your mouth than usual. Symptoms may include bad breath, decreased sense of taste, and problems chewing or swallowing food.

Certain factors can increase the risk of dry mouth with cyclobenzaprine oral tablet. These include taking other medications that cause dry mouth or having other health conditions.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of dry mouth, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend drinking more fluids, chewing gum, or using over-the-counter treatments for dry mouth.

Headache

In studies, headache was common in people taking cyclobenzaprine oral tablet. This side effect was usually mild.

With headache, you have pain in your head that can range from dull to sharp. Symptoms may include tightness or throbbing aches around the forehead, face, and back of the head. Aches may also spread down from the head.

Certain factors can increase the risk of headache with cyclobenzaprine oral tablet. These include taking other medications that can cause headache or having other health conditions. 

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of a headache, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend trying hot or cold packs to help ease the pain or taking over-the-counter medications for headache.

Allergic reaction

For some people, cyclobenzaprine oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.

Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:

  • itchiness
  • skin rash
  • swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know if you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to cyclobenzaprine oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Warnings for cyclobenzaprine

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking cyclobenzaprine oral tablet.

Warnings

It may not be safe for you to take cyclobenzaprine oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether cyclobenzaprine oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking cyclobenzaprine oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include having:

Cyclobenzaprine and pregnancy

It’s not known whether cyclobenzaprine oral tablet should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Cyclobenzaprine and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether cyclobenzaprine oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Cyclobenzaprine and alcohol

Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet is known to interact with alcohol.

Drinking alcohol with cyclobenzaprine can increase the severity of certain side effects, including dizziness and sleepiness. It can also make you less alert.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with cyclobenzaprine oral tablet.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of cyclobenzaprine oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • Do I have a higher risk of side effects than others?
  • Is the risk of fatigue higher when I first start treatment?
  • Does the risk of dry mouth increase if I take a higher dosage?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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