Flexeril (FLEKS-e-rill)
Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride [sye-kloe-BENza-preen]) is a muscle relaxant that can be used to treat pain caused by inflammatory or noninflammatory chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).
Flexeril Warnings
This drug may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Until you are certain you can perform certain activities safely, do not drive, operate machinery, or perform any activity that requires alertness. Avoid alcoholic beverages while taking this medication.
Why Is Flexeril Prescribed for Prostatitis?
Flexeril relaxes pelvic floor spasms, which are commonly related to CP/CPPS. Muscle relaxants such as Flexeril are believed to be helpful because they relax the muscles and the central nervous system.
How Should Flexeril Be Used?
Flexeril comes in tablet form (5 mg or 10 mg). It is supplied for oral administration on a short-term basis.
For most patients, the recommended dose is 5 mg three times per day (with or without food). The dose may be increased to 10 mg three times per day, based on patient response. Use of the medication for more than two to three weeks is not recommended.
For elderly or hepatically impaired patients, a less frequent dose is recommended.
Other Uses for Flexeril
Cyclobenzaprine is used to treat muscle spasms, usually as a supplement to rest and physical therapy.
Do I Need to Follow Special Precautions?
Before taking Flexeril, inform your physician if you have an allergy to cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride (Flexeril) or any other allergies. This product could contain inactive ingredients that may cause allergic reactions or other problems.
Before taking this medication, discuss with your physician your medical history, paying particular attention to the following, if applicable:
- Liver disease
- Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- Heart problems (for example, irregular heartbeat, heart block, heart failure, recent heart attack)
- Difficulty urinating (due to an enlarged prostate or other reasons)
- Glaucoma
This drug can cause drowsiness. Alcohol can increase this effect.
Do I Need to Follow a Special Diet When Taking Flexeril?
Avoid or limit the use of alcoholic beverages while taking this medication. Tell your physician about all other medications you currently take, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medication without discussing it with your doctor first.
What If I Forget a Dose?
If a dose is missed, take the medication as soon as you remember. However, if nearing the time when you are supposed to take the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. If a dose is missed, do not double the dose.
Are There Side Effects When Taking Flexeril for Prostatitis?
Side effects may include:
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Urinary retention
If any of these side effects worsen, inform your physician.
Seek immediate medical attention if you have any of these symptoms of allergic reaction:
- Hives
- Difficulty breathing
- Itching/swelling (facial swelling, especially swelling of lips, tongue, or throat)
If you have any of the following serious side effects, stop using cyclobenzaprine and call your physician:
- Speedy, uneven, or pounding heartbeat
- Chest pain and/or pain spreading to the arm or shoulder
- Nausea
- Sweating
- General feeling of sickness
- Sudden headache
- Sudden weakness or numbness, particularly on one side of the body
- Mental/mood changes (such as confusion or hallucinations)
- Severe rash
- Fever
- Seizures
Does Flexeril Have Special Storage Instructions?
This medication should be stored at room temperature away from light and moisture. Keep this medication away from children and pets. Do not store in the bathroom.
Discard this product properly when it is expired. (Do not flush it down the toilet or rinse it down the drain.)
What Do I Do in the Case of an Accidental Overdose?
In case of a suspected overdose, contact an emergency room or poison control center immediately. For a local control center in the United States, call 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include irregular or quick heartbeat, fainting, severe drowsiness, slurred speech, seizures, confusion, and hallucinations.
What Else Should I Know about Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine) for Prostatitis?
The use of muscle relaxants such as Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) for prostatitis not been studied extensively. However, doctors find this type of treatment often helpful, especially for men with noninflammatory CP/CPPS.
Drugs that may interact adversely with this medication include tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil (amitriptyline) or Tofranil/Tofranil PM (imipramine).
Do not take MAO inhibitors such as Marplan (isocarboxazid), Zyvox (linezolid), Methylene blue, moclobemide, Nardil (phenelzine), Matulane (procarbazine), Azilect (rasagiline), Emsam/Eldepryl/Zelapar (selegiline), Parnate (tranylcypromine) while taking this medication, including two weeks prior to treatment. In some cases, an extremely serious drug interaction may occur (possibly fatal).
Tell your physician or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness. This may include alcohol, antihistamines (such as Zyrtec/Alleroff [cetirizine] or Benadryl [diphenhydramine]), sleep aids or anti-anxiety medications (such as Xanax [alprazolam]), Valium (diazepam), or Ambien (zolpidem)), other muscle relaxants, and narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine).
