Cyclobenzaprine Hcl Er Drug Information

The recommended adult dose for most patients is one cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release 15 mg capsule taken once daily. Some patients may require up to 30 mg/day, given as one cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release 30 mg capsule taken once daily or as two cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release 15 mg capsules taken once daily. It is recommended that doses be taken at approximately the same time each day.

Use of cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules for periods longer than two or three weeks is not recommended. Instruct patients to swallow cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules intact. Alternatively, the contents of the cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsule may be sprinkled over applesauce and then swallowed.

This method is appropriate only for patients able to reliably swallow the applesauce without chewing. Other foods have not been tested and should not be substituted for applesauce. Instruct the patient to: Sprinkle the contents of the capsule onto a tablespoon of applesauce and consume immediately without chewing.

Rinse the mouth to ensure all of the contents have been swallowed. Discard any unused portion of the cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules after the contents have been sprinkled on applesauce.

Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. The data described below reflect exposure to cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules in 253 patients in 2 clinical trials. Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules were studied in two double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, active-controlled trials of identical design.

The study population was composed of patients with muscle spasms associated with acute painful musculoskeletal conditions. Patients received 15 mg or 30 mg of cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules taken orally once daily, cyclobenzaprine immediate-release (IR) 10 mg three times a day, or placebo for 14 days. The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥3% in any treatment group and greater than placebo) were dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue, constipation, nausea, dyspepsia, and somnolence (see Table 1). Table 1: Incidence of the Most Common Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥ 3% of Patients in any Treatment Group* and Greater Than Placebo in the Two Phase 3, Double-Blind Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules Trials Placebo Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules 15 mg Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules 30 mg N=128 N=127 N=126 Dry mouth 2% 6% 14% Dizziness 2% 3% 6% Fatigue 2% 3% 3% Constipation 0% 1% 3% Somnolence 0% 1% 2% Nausea 1% 3% 3% Dyspepsia 1% 0% 4% *cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules 15 mg QD, cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules 30 mg QD, or cyclobenzaprine IR tablets TID

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been reported in clinical studies or postmarketing experience with cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules, cyclobenzaprine IR, or tricyclic drugs. Because some of these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. In a postmarketing surveillance program of cyclobenzaprine IR, the adverse reactions reported most frequently were drowsiness, dry mouth, and dizziness and adverse reactions reported in 1% to 3% of the patients were: fatigue/tiredness, asthenia, nausea, constipation, dyspepsia, unpleasant taste, blurred vision, headache, nervousness, and confusion.

The following adverse reactions have been reported in postmarketing experience (cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules or cyclobenzaprine IR), in clinical studies of cyclobenzaprine IR (incidence <1%), or in postmarketing experience with other tricyclic drugs: Body as a Whole: Syncope; malaise; chest pain; edema. Cardiovascular: Tachycardia; arrhythmia; vasodilatation; palpitation; hypotension; hypertension; myocardial infarction; heart block; stroke. Digestive: Vomiting; anorexia; diarrhea; gastrointestinal pain; gastritis; thirst; flatulence; edema of the tongue; abnormal liver function and rare reports of hepatitis, jaundice, and cholestasis; paralytic ileus, tongue discoloration; stomatitis; parotid swelling.

Endocrine: Inappropriate ADH syndrome. Hematologic and Lymphatic: Purpura; bone marrow depression; leukopenia; eosinophilia; thrombocytopenia. Hypersensitivity: Anaphylaxis; angioedema; pruritus; facial edema; urticaria; rash.

Metabolic, Nutritional, and Immune: Elevation and lowering of blood sugar levels; weight gain or loss. Musculoskeletal: Local weakness; myalgia. Nervous System and Psychiatric: Seizures; ataxia; vertigo; dysarthria; tremors; hypertonia; convulsions; muscle twitching; disorientation; insomnia; depressed mood; abnormal sensations; anxiety; agitation; psychosis; abnormal thinking and dreaming; hallucinations; excitement; paresthesia; diplopia; serotonin syndrome; neuroleptic malignant syndrome; decreased or increased libido; abnormal gait; delusions; aggressive behavior; paranoia; peripheral neuropathy; Bell’s palsy; alteration in EEG patterns; extrapyramidal symptoms.

Respiratory: Dyspnea. Skin: Sweating; photosensitization; alopecia. Special Senses: Ageusia; tinnitus.

Urogenital: Urinary frequency and/or retention; impaired urination; dilatation of urinary tract; impotence; testicular swelling; gynecomastia; breast enlargement; galactorrhea.

Based on its structural similarity to tricyclic antidepressants, cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules may have life-threatening interactions with MAO inhibitors, may enhance the effects of alcohol, barbiturates, and other CNS depressants, may enhance the seizure risk in patients taking tramadol, or may block the antihypertensive action of guanethidine and similarly acting compounds. Postmarketing cases of serotonin syndrome have been reported during combined use of cyclobenzaprine and other drugs, such as SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, tramadol, bupropion, meperidine, verapamil, or MAO inhibitors.

Hypersensitivity to any component of this product. These adverse reactions may manifest as an anaphylactic reaction, urticaria, facial and/or tongue swelling, or pruritus. Discontinue cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules if a hypersensitivity reaction is suspected.

Concomitant use of monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors or within 14 days after their discontinuation. Hyperpyretic crisis seizures and deaths have occurred in patients receiving cyclobenzaprine (or structurally similar tricyclic antidepressants) concomitantly with MAO inhibitor drugs. During the acute recovery phase of myocardial infarction, and in patients with arrhythmias, heart block or conduction disturbances, or congestive heart failure.

Hyperthyroidism.

Management General As management of overdose is complex and changing, it is

recommended that the physician contact a poison control center for current information on treatment. In order to protect against the rare but potentially critical manifestations described above, obtain an ECG and immediately initiate cardiac monitoring. Protect the patient’s airway, establish an intravenous line, and initiate gastric decontamination.

Observation with cardiac monitoring and observation for signs of CNS or respiratory depression, hypotension, cardiac dysrhythmias and/or conduction blocks, and seizures is necessary. If signs of toxicity occur at any time during this period, extended monitoring is required. Monitoring of plasma drug levels should not guide management of the patient.

Dialysis is probably of no value because of low plasma concentrations of the drug. Gastrointestinal Decontamination All patients suspected of an overdose with cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules should receive gastrointestinal decontamination. This should include large volume gastric lavage followed by activated charcoal.

If consciousness is impaired, the airway should be secured prior to lavage and emesis is contraindicated. Cardiovascular A maximal limb-lead QRS duration of 0.10 seconds may be the best indication of the severity of the overdose. Serum alkalinization, to a pH of 7.45 to 7.55, using intravenous sodium bicarbonate and hyperventilation (as needed), should be instituted for patients with dysrhythmias and/or QRS widening.

A pH >7.60 or a pCO2 <20 mmHg is undesirable. Dysrhythmias unresponsive to sodium bicarbonate therapy/hyperventilation may respond to lidocaine, bretylium, or phenytoin. Type 1A and 1C antiarrhythmics are generally contraindicated (e.g., quinidine, disopyramide, and procainamide). CNS In patients with CNS depression, early intubation is advised because of the potential for abrupt deterioration.

Seizures should be controlled with benzodiazepines or, if these are ineffective, other anticonvulsants (e.g., phenobarbital, phenytoin). Physostigmine is not recommended except to treat life-threatening symptoms that have been unresponsive to other therapies, and then only in close consultation with a poison control center. Psychiatric Follow-Up Since overdosage is often deliberate, patients may attempt suicide by other means during the recovery phase. Psychiatric referral may be appropriate.

Pediatric Management The principles of management of child and adult overdosage are similar. It is strongly recommended that the physician contact the local poison control center for specific pediatric treatment.