Have you pulled a muscle or got a bad spasm that won’t quit? Cyclobenzaprine is a prescription muscle relaxant many doctors use for short-term relief of acute muscle spasms. It helps reduce tightness and pain so you can move, sleep, and do rehab exercises easier. Think of it as a short bridge—used with rest, heat, and stretching—to get you back to normal activity.
Cyclobenzaprine treats muscle spasms caused by strains, sprains, or other injuries. It’s not for long-term chronic pain or conditions like fibromyalgia as a first choice. Common dosing in adults is 5–10 mg taken up to three times a day for the immediate-release form. There’s also an extended-release form usually taken once daily. Most treatment courses last 2–3 weeks; if you’re still sore after that, talk to your doctor about other options.
Sleepiness and dry mouth are the most common complaints. Less often people report dizziness, blurred vision, or constipation. Older adults may feel confused or unsteady — that raises fall risk. If you notice a fast heartbeat, severe confusion, high fever, or trouble breathing, get medical help right away. Those symptoms are rare but serious.
Mixing cyclobenzaprine with alcohol, sleeping pills, or other sedatives makes drowsiness and breathing problems worse. Also, cyclobenzaprine is chemically related to some antidepressants, so it can interact with MAO inhibitors. Never start cyclobenzaprine within two weeks of stopping an MAOI, and tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.
If you have liver disease, heart rhythm problems, glaucoma, or trouble urinating, mention these to your prescriber. Cyclobenzaprine is processed by the liver, so severe liver issues may make it unsafe.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: talk with your doctor. There’s limited data, so your prescriber will weigh benefits and risks.
Want non-drug help? Try gentle stretching, heat packs, massage, and a short course of physical therapy. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or an NSAID can help too, unless your doctor says otherwise.
Thinking about buying cyclobenzaprine online? Only use licensed pharmacies that require a prescription and show clear contact details. Avoid sites that sell without a prescription, offer suspiciously low prices, or lack a pharmacist to answer questions. Protect your safety: check for secure checkout (HTTPS), read patient reviews, and keep a copy of your prescription.
Finally, never share this drug with others, and don’t drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how it affects you. If side effects bother you or don’t improve, call your healthcare provider — there are other ways to treat muscle pain safely.
