Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet dosage guide

Key takeaways

• Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet comes in 5 milligrams (mg), 7.5 mg, and 10 mg strengths and is approved to help relieve muscle spasms caused by short-term muscle and skeletal conditions like back pain.
• The recommended dosage is 5 mg three times per day, with a maximum of 10 mg three times per day for adults and children ages 15 years and older.
• You’ll take cyclobenzaprine for 2 to 3 weeks at most, spacing doses evenly throughout the day. Your doctor may adjust your dosage if you have liver problems or are an older adult.

Overview

Doctors prescribe cyclobenzaprine oral tablets to relieve muscle spasms caused by short-term muscle and skeletal conditions. You take cyclobenzaprine by mouth three times per day.

This article describes cyclobenzaprine oral tablet dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for cyclobenzaprine. Note that cyclobenzprine is also available in a capsule form, but this article will focus on the tablets.

If you want to know more about cyclobenzaprine oral tablets, see this cyclobenzaprine overview.

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Form and strengths of cyclobenzaprine

Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet comes as follows:

• Form: a tablet that you swallow
• Strengths: 5 milligrams (mg), 7.5 mg, and 10 mg

Dosage of cyclobenzaprine

If your doctor prescribes cyclobenzaprine, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Do not change your dosage of cyclobenzaprine oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.

Recommended dosage of cyclobenzaprine in adults

Usually, doctors will prescribe a recommended dosage of cyclobenzaprine. In some cases, they’ll adjust the dosage based on how you respond to the medication. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage that gives the desired outcome.

It’s not likely that you’ll take cyclobenzaprine tablets longer than 2 to 3 weeks.

The recommended dosage of cyclobenzaprine for the relief of muscle spasms is as follows:

• Starting dosage: 5 mg three times per day
• Maximum dosage: 10 mg three times per day

Dosage of cyclobenzaprine in children

Cyclobenzaprine is approved for use in children ages 15 years and older. The recommended dosage for this use is as follows:

• Dosage: 5 mg three times per day
• Maximum dosage: 10 mg three times per day

Dosage adjustments for cyclobenzaprine

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of cyclobenzaprine tablets based on several factors. These include:

• the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
• other health conditions you may have
• your age

Your doctor will use caution when prescribing cyclobenzaprine in some cases. These include if you have liver problems or are an older adult (ages 65 years or older).

Before you begin treatment, talk with your doctor about your health history and medications.

How cyclobenzaprine is taken

You’ll swallow cyclobenzaprine three times per day. You’ll space the doses apart as evenly as possible. That means you’ll take a dose at regular intervals three times throughout the day while you’re awake, spaced evenly apart. This is typically every 8 hours. You can take your doses of cyclobenzaprine oral tablet with or without food.

Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.

It’s not likely that you’ll take cyclobenzaprine longer than 3 weeks. Along with taking cyclobenzaprine, your doctor will recommend rest and physical therapy.

The manufacturer doesn’t specify whether you can break, crush, or chew the tablet. If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article for tips on swallowing pills. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns about swallowing your tablets whole.

Missed dose of cyclobenzaprine

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of cyclobenzaprine oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose, or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

See some tips on how to plan your doses of cyclobenzaprine oral tablet and avoid missing a dose. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Can cyclobenzaprine tablets be used in dogs? If so, what is the dosage?

It’s possible that veterinarians might prescribe cyclobenzaprine tablets for dogs in certain situations. But it’s important that you do not share medications with your dog. Dosages for humans are not the same as dosages for pets. Your veterinarian will recommend the best dosage for your dog if they prescribe cyclobenzaprine.

If your dog has muscle spasms, talk with your veterinarian. They’ll let you know what medication options are available for your pet. Never give your pet any medication that your veterinarian hasn’t approved for them.

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about cyclobenzaprine and its dosage.

Can I take two of the 10-mg cyclobenzaprine tablets at the same time?

No, it’s not recommended to take 20 mg of cyclobenzaprine tablets at once. Doing so can increase your risk of side effects.

The recommended maximum dosage is 10 mg three times per day. This maximum dosage is for adults and children ages 15 years and older. For this dosage, you’ll usually space the doses apart as evenly as possible. That means you’ll take a dose at regular intervals three times throughout the day while you’re awake. But you should take your doses as your doctor recommends.

Talk with your doctor if your muscle spasms don’t ease while taking cyclobenzaprine. They may adjust your dosage or recommend a different treatment.

Is 10 mg of cyclobenzaprine a strong dose?

Yes, as 10 milligrams (mg) is the strongest available dose of cyclobenzaprine immediate-release tablets. And 10 mg taken three times per day is the maximum recommended dosage. A dosage of 5 mg three times per day is recommended for most people. Doctors might increase this to 10 mg if you need a stronger dose.

Is cyclobenzaprine taken long term?

No, doctors usually don’t prescribe cyclobenzaprine oral tablets as a long-term treatment. Instead, it’s usually recommended for short-term treatment. It’s not likely that you’ll take cyclobenzaprine oral tablet longer than 2 to 3 weeks.

If you have questions about how long you should take cyclobenzaprine, talk with your doctor.

Cyclobenzaprine coupon

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Overdose of cyclobenzaprine

It’s important that you do not take more cyclobenzaprine than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

Your risk of overdose increases if you take cyclobenzaprine with alcohol or certain other drugs. You can discuss this more with your doctor. 

Symptoms of cyclobenzaprine overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

• drowsiness
• fast or irregular heart rate
• seizures or tremors
• confusion
• nausea and vomiting
• hallucinations
• chest pain
• heart attack
• problems with coordination
• difficulty speaking
• agitation
• high blood pressure or extremely low blood pressure

In extreme cases, overdose can lead to coma. 

What to do if you take too much cyclobenzaprine

If you think you’ve taken too much cyclobenzaprine, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Summary

The drugmaker provides recommended dosages of cyclobenzaprine, which is used in adults and some children to treat muscle spasms.

However, your doctor will determine the dosage that’s right for you. If you have any questions or concerns about the dosage of cyclobenzaprine, speak with a doctor or pharmacist.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.

Disclaimer: While Optum Perks strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses.