Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Cyclobenzaprine as follows:
- Serotonin is one chemical in the brain, which in permissible amounts, is believed to reduce anxiety and promote happiness and well-being. Very excessive concentrations of serotonin in the brain can lead to serotonin syndrome. Individuals with serotonin syndrome can present with mania, excitement, hallucinations, agitation, insomnia, pounding heartbeat, very rapid irregular heart rate or arrhythmia, seizures, overactive reflexes, and diarrhea. Cyclobenzaprine use can contribute to increase in the serotonin levels and lead to development of serotonin syndrome. Cyclobenzaprine use, in individuals with history of serotonin syndrome could be avoided for a safer alternative or used cautiously with close watch for symptoms of the same. Also, cyclobenzaprine use, especially along with a few other antidepressants, such as, citalopram, fluoxetine, and sertraline, can increase the risk for serotonin syndrome many fold and so, must be avoided. While taking cyclobenzaprine, maintain a close watch to report symptoms of serotonin syndrome to your physician promptly for any appropriate measures to be considered.
- Cyclobenzaprine could potentially interact with a lot of other medications and precipitate serious reactions. If you are being newly started on cyclobenzaprine, discuss with your physician regarding all your current medications and their safety with cyclobenzaprine. Also, notify your physician regarding any current cyclobenzaprine intake, if you are being started on any new medications and discuss their safety with cyclobenzaprine.
- Cyclobenzaprine only helps with relieving muscle spasms, probably by depressing the brain and inhibiting the conduction of nerve impulses from the brain to the skeletal muscles. Cyclobenzaprine only temporarily relieves the spasms but does not fix the actual condition causing the muscle spasms and so, is not a permanent cure. Continue taking cyclobenzaprine as ordered, even if you experience relief from muscle pain and spasms, until your physician orders for the discontinuation on the medication.
- Individuals on sudden withdrawal from cyclobenzaprine, especially after prolonged use or use in high doses, can present with unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, such as, listlessness, lack of energy, exacerbation of depressive symptoms, anxiety, agitation, sleep disturbances, confusion, appetite changes, delusions, hallucinations, mania, bad muscle spasms, and seizures. Discontinuation on cyclobenzaprine use must be slow and gradual, using tapering doses, and only on your physician recommendation.
