Cyclobenzaprine Use During Pregnancy
Therefore, stick to the time of day prescribed by your doctor for taking it. If you are not keen on using any drug for your muscle injury while you are breastfeeding, is flexeril a sedative ask your doctor for any natural and safe treatments you can use during this time. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
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Can I take Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
Cyclobenzaprine belongs to a class of drugs called muscle relaxants. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. Cyclobenzaprine does not directly act on the neuromuscular intersection or the muscle.
The peak concentration varies, depending on what formulation you take. For example, the peak concentration for the extended-release pills is around seven hours. It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. It is not known if cyclobenzaprine crosses the human placenta. The molecular weight (about 276 for the free base) is low enough that exposure of the embryo or fetus probably occurs.
Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase. If you’re considering taking Flexeril during pregnancy, there are a few important things to keep in mind to help ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.
- Flexeril is a muscle relaxant commonly used to treat muscle spasms and pain.
- However, the composition of cyclobenzaprine is similar to tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine or amitriptyline, which do interact with breast milk.
- The quantity of Flexeril in breast milk is minimal, and infants generally tolerate it well.
- For temporary relief, sugarless candy or gum is suggested and melting bits of ice in your mouth is recommended.
Nevertheless, it is important to note that pregnant women must avoid self-medicating or taking Flexeril without a physician’s guidance. Flexeril, also known as cyclobenzaprine, is a muscle relaxant that is commonly used to treat muscle pain and stiffness. While it is generally considered safe for use in non-pregnant individuals, there is concern over its safety during pregnancy. Studies on animals have suggested that high doses of cyclobenzaprine may be teratogenic, meaning that they can cause birth defects. However, there is limited data on the safety of Flexeril during pregnancy in human studies.
Flexeril may make it harder to think clearly, remember things, and make sound decisions. In this way, Flexeril should be used with caution, especially during pregnancy, as it is a mind-altering drug. When pregnant, some of these side effects may be more intense or significant. The possibility of these should be assessed before taking a medication like Flexeril. The Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine publishes a case wherein a baby was born in respiratory distress and experiencing pulmonary hypertension after the mother took Flexeril during pregnancy. The report indicates that the use of Flexeril in late pregnancy may lead to early ductal closure of the heart in utero.
What is Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) used for?
There is not enough research on the effects of cyclobenzaprine on human lactation but the studies are ongoing. However, the composition of cyclobenzaprine is similar to tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine or amitriptyline, which do interact with breast milk. The use of tricyclic antidepressants have known side effects like sinus tachycardia, arrhythmias and stroke. Patients with low back pain or fibromyalgia may benefit from treatment with cyclobenzaprine. Higher doses of cyclobenzaprine or tizanidine would be appropriate to promote sedation in cases of more severe discomfort or perceived muscular spasm. Although there appears to be insufficient data on metaxalone and methocarbamol, these may be useful in patients who cannot tolerate the sedative properties of cyclobenzaprine or tizanidine.
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They can occur for several reasons, such as sprains or strains, that may occur due to repetitive movements and prolonged baby holding for nursing. If you are a nursing mother, it may help you to know about the potential side effects of a drug like cyclobenzaprine (3). Some medicines can interact with cyclobenzaprine and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Ask your doctor before making any changes in how or when you take your medications. The body can quickly build a tolerance to cyclobenzaprine therefore making it less effective in the long run.
Use of Flexeril with any of these medications can lead to the potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome. According to the prescribing information for Flexeril published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA),the medication has been tested on mice, rats, and rabbits with no adverse side effects impacting fertility or fetuses. Muscle spasms and back pain are common while pregnant, and Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is a muscle relaxant.
