Cyclobenzaprine – uses, health risks, and side effects at NaturalPedia.com

Wednesday, September 05, 2018 by Zoey Sky

Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant that blocks pain sensations/nerve impulses sent to the brain.

Cyclobenzaprine, which is often used together with rest and physical therapy, can help treat patients with skeletal muscle conditions like injuries, pain, sprains, or strains.

Cyclobenzaprine’s brand names include Amrix, Comfort Pac with Cyclobenzaprine, Fexmid, and Flexeril.

Known health risks or side effects of cyclobenzaprine

Cyclobenzaprine may cause common side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue, or a headache.

Other reported side effects of the drug may include:

Abdominal pain/discomfort
Acid reflux
Blurred vision
Confusion
Constipation
Nausea
Nervousness
Unpleasant taste

You may require immediate medical attention if you experience severe side effects such as:

Abnormal heartbeat
Heart attacks
Heat stroke
Seizures
Stroke

List of organs that might be affected by cyclobenzaprine

An overdose of cyclobenzaprine can be fatal and it may cause the following complications:

Confusion
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Fast or irregular heartbeat
Feeling agitated
Hallucination (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
Loss of consciousness
Nausea
Tremor
Trouble speaking or moving
Vomiting

An overdose of the drug can also cause an allergic reaction. Signs of an allergic reaction may include difficulty breathing; hives; or the swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, consult a healthcare professional. If your symptoms are severe, go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Food items or nutrients that have similar effects to cyclobenzaprine

The following foods or nutrients have similar effects to cyclobenzaprine:

Blueberries — Blueberries can help relax the muscles and hasten recovery from muscle damage. Blueberries contain antioxidants that can help decrease oxidative stress and inflammation.
Chamomile — Chamomile is an herb used to treat muscle spasms. The herb has 36 flavonoids or compounds with anti-inflammatory properties. Drink chamomile tea to relax sore muscles. Additionally, you can massage chamomile essential oil onto affected muscles to relieve muscle spasms.
Magnesium — Magnesium helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function. Sources include almonds, bananas, brown rice, legumes, and supplements.

Treatment and management options for the side effects of cyclobenzaprine

The following treatments and management options can help prevent the side effects associated with cyclobenzaprine like acid reflux or nausea:

Ginger tea — If you have acid reflux, drink some ginger tea. Ginger can help soothe the stomach and it can also minimize the production of stomach acid. Drink caffeine-free ginger tea with some honey.
Milk — Low-fat or fat-free milk can help treat acid reflux. However, milk’s fat content may aggravate your symptoms. Almond milk is another good option since it is alkaline and can neutralize acidity.
Peppermint — If you feel nauseated, drink some peppermint tea. Even the scent of peppermint oil can help ease nausea. Peppermint has a calming and numbing effect that can relax the stomach muscles so bile can break down fats. This lets food move through the stomach quickly. Aside from tea, you can also take some peppermint capsules for nausea. Another method is to use peppermint essential oil for aromatherapy along with a carrier oil (a vegetable oil that will dilute the essential oil) for safe application. If you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), skip this method.
Yogurt — Yogurt can also help minimize the symptoms of acid reflux. Eat some plain yogurt with a bit of honey.

Where to learn more

Summary

Cyclobenzaprine is often used together with rest and physical therapy to treat patients with skeletal muscle conditions like injuries, pain, sprains, or strains.

Cyclobenzaprine may cause side effects such as acid reflux, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue, a headache, or nausea.

An overdose of cyclobenzaprine may be fatal and it can cause complications like drowsiness, loss of consciousness, or vomiting.

Blueberries, chamomile, and magnesium have similar effects to cyclobenzaprine.

Ginger tea, milk, peppermint, or yogurt can help prevent the side effects associated with cyclobenzaprine, like acid reflux or nausea.

Sources include:

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