Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride is marketed under several brand names in the United States, including Flexeril, Fexmid and Amrix. Doctors typically prescribe cyclobenzaprine as a muscle relaxant for injuries, sprains and strains. The medication, the Mayo Clinic reports, may also be prescribed for wide-spread pain caused by fibromyalgia. It may be administered as a pill or extended-release capsule. There are no reported serious common side effects of cyclobenzaprine, the Mayo Clinic states.
Vision Blurring
The medication acts upon the central nervous system to help treat pain and stiffness by relaxing the muscles. It can, however, also relax muscles that are not affected by pain, including eye muscles that then become too relaxed to focus properly. This can affect all vision, or near or far vision. It is not categorized as a serious side effect of the medication, and typically ends within a few days of starting the drug. The Mayo Clinic recommends to consult a doctor if vision continues to be blurry for more than a week or if the blurriness is so severe it becomes a major problem.
Diarrhea and Constipation
Many types of medications take a few days for the body to acclimate to. This period of adjustment can temporarily disrupt various body functions. With cyclobenzaprine, the digestive system may be affected, making stools flow more rapidly, or cause constipation or difficulty with bowel movements. Either of these side effects can cause discomfort and cramps in the abdomen. These non-serious but common side effects usually pass in a few days, Drugs.com reports, but talk to a physician if they are severe or continue.
Dizziness and Nausea
Cyclobenzaprine also may induce temporary and non-serious side effects that affect balance, and patients may feel that their environment is spinning or in some other constant motion. This dizziness can impede a normal sense of balance, make a patient fall or run into things, or icause another side effect such as nausea or an upset stomach. This may be mild and may not lead to vomiting. There may be pain in the stomach that may accompany the nausea or exist by itself. These common side effects are not categorized as serious problems, Drugs.com states, but may need medical attention if they persist or become severe.
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