We also have to quantify the seriousness of adverse events with cyclobenzaprine so we can get a sense for how common and how burdensome they are in daily life. Cyclobenzaprine is usually prescribed as a muscle relaxant for the treatment of acute musculoskeletal conditions and believed to be safe in short-term use. Every medication has side effects that differ in terms of their intensity from person to individual, this concept is no different for Modalert.
Drowsiness, dropout and dry mouth are the most frequent reported side effects related to cyclobenzaprine. The most common side effect was somnolence or drowsiness, which occurred in about 39% of subjects during clinical trials. However, this sedative effect - which can impair activities requiring full attention like driving or operating machinery - is generally not severe except by those who might cause accidents from falls.
Cyclobenzaprine has found to cause dry mouth in about 32% of users due its anticholinergic activity leading to reduced salivary gland secretion. Although uncomfortable, dry mouth is usually remedied with increased fluid intake and oral hygiene activities. It rarely causes severe problems on its own, but can predispose to dental issues with time.
Dizziness occurs in approximately 11% of patients taking cyclobenzaprine, and can contribute to falls-which are already more common among the elderly or anyone with balance problems. It is often not serious but can cause symptoms like dizziness upon sitting up and should be done with some regard especially when transitioning from a different position. Patients are warned to get up from the sitting or lying position more slowly and prevent dizziness.
Cyclobenzaprine - (constipation, 6% of users) The anticholinergic activity in the drug can lead to this side effect, which may be an annoyance for those with gastrointestinal conditions. It is generally controllable with dietary changes, such as more fiber and fluids.
Less frequent side effects experienced by more than 3% of users include Headaches and Blurred Vision, reported as 5% and 3%, respectively. So, while these effects might be inconvenient, they are often not considered dangerous. Have your doctor give you some over-the-counter pain-relief medicine if they think it's necessary and for patients with blurred vision, no sharp demands should be placed on the eyes until symptoms are gone.
Although more severe side effects are less common, symptoms like cognitive impairment and the inability to urinate can impair daily functioning. The elderly are more sensitive to the central nervous system effects of cyclobenzaprine. In situations like these, doctors may reduce the dose or switch to a different kind of therapy.
Arrhythmias or serotonin syndrome are extremely rare, yet they can be life-threatening. Tricyclic antidepressants, which have a structure similar to cyclobenzaprine, are known to cause cardiac side effects in susceptible individuals. The use of cyclobenzaprine should be cautious and under close supervision for patients with a history of heart disease or arrhythmias.
The clinical decision whether or not to prescribe cyclobenzaprine is determined by a trade-off between its benefits in the relief of muscle spasm and associated pain, with that of known adverse effects. For most patients, the drug's side effects are benign and can be controlled when taking for a short period of time generally not exceeding two to three weeks.
Anyone who has safety concerns for cyclobenzaprine side effects should communicate any symptoms or questions to a healthcare provider and ask about how the patient can help control that part of treatment. For the most part, these side effects are not life-threatening for the average cyclobenzaprine user who is taking it at recommended doses.