Before Using This medicine: If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. It is not known if Flexeril appears in breast milk. However, Flexeril is related to tricyclic antidepressants, and some of those drugs do appear in breast milk. If this medication is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding your baby until your treatment is completed.

Other Medical Problems: Flexeril is a muscle relaxant. It works by blocking nerve impulses (or pain sensations) that are sent to your brain. Flexeril is used to relieve pain, tenderness, and limitation of motion caused by muscle spasms. It is used, along with rest and physical therapy, for short-term treatment (i.e., 2 to 3 weeks).

Proper Use of This Medicine: Take one tablet/capsule daily or as needed.

Precautions While Using This Medicine: Avoid alcoholic beverages while taking Flexeril. Serious, potentially fatal reactions may occur if you take Flexeril with an antidepressant drug known as an MAO inhibitor (such as Nardil, Parnate) or if it has been less than 2 weeks since you last took an MAO inhibitor. You should closely follow your doctor's advice regarding discontinuation of MAO inhibitors before taking Flexeril. If Flexeril is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Flexeril with the following: Barbiturates such as phenobarbital Guanethidine and other high blood pressure drugs that slow the central nervous system, such as Halcion and Xanax Tramadol (Ultram).

Side Effects of This Medicine: Side effects cannot be anticipated. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Flexeril. More common side effects may include: Dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth Less common or rare side effects may include: Abnormal heartbeats, abnormal sensations, abnormal thoughts or dreams, aggressive behavior, agitation, anxiety, bloated feeling, blurred vision, confusion, constipation, convulsions, decreased appetite, depressed mood, diarrhea, difficulty falling or staying asleep, difficulty speaking, disorientation, double vision, excitement, fainting, fatigue, fluid retention, hallucinations, headache, heartburn, hepatitis, hives, increased heart rate, indigestion, inflammation of the stomach, lack of coordination, liver diseases, low blood pressure, nausea, nervousness, palpitations, paranoia, rash, ringing in the ears, severe allergic reaction, stomach and intestinal pain, sweating, swelling of the tongue or face, thirst, tingling in hands or feet, tremors, urinating more or less than usual, vertigo, vomiting, weakness, yellow eyes and skin. Problems such as confusion or hallucinations are more likely in older adults.