A Guide for Cyclobenzaprine Flexeril While Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Read this post to learn more about the safety and side effects of taking Flexeril during breastfeeding and the precautions you should take. We also tell you some natural remedies to treat muscle injuries. No reports have been located on the excretion of cyclobenzaprine into milk. The molecular weight (about 276 for the free base) is low enough that excretion into milk should be expected. In addition, the closely related tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., see Imipramine) are excreted into milk and this should be considered before cyclobenzaprine is used during lactation.

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However, it’s crucial to monitor the infant for drowsiness, proper weight gain, and developmental milestones to note any potential side effects (8). If you are a nursing mother, a thorough risk assessment of the drug before use is essential to ensure its safety and efficacy. Most drugs pass into breast flexeril and nortriptyline milk, but they may or may not cause harm to your baby. There is not enough research on the effects of cyclobenzaprine on human lactation. But the composition of cyclobenzaprine is similar to tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine or amitriptyline, which are known to interact with breast milk.

No anomalies were observed in three other categories of defects (spina bifida, limb-reduction defects, and hypospadias) for which data were available. Earlier data, obtained from the same source between 1980 and 1983, totaled 168 1st-trimester exposures with 12 defects observed (10 expected). These combined data do not support an association between the drug and congenital defects. It helps women in treating muscle spasms and all other muscle-related issues. According to the observation from the Food and Drug Administration, it was tested on rats, mice and rabbits in their pregnancy.

It’s always helpful to hear from other women who have gone through pregnancy and used Flexeril as a muscle relaxant. Many women have reported that they were prescribed Flexeril during pregnancy and had successful outcomes with no negative effects on themselves or their babies. One woman shared that she was prescribed Flexeril for severe back pain and was concerned about taking it during pregnancy. Her doctor reassured her that it was safe to use and that the benefits of managing her pain outweighed any potential risks. The use of any medication during pregnancy triggers understandable concerns among pregnant women. Flexeril is a muscle relaxant that is effective at alleviating muscle pain and spasm, which are quite common during pregnancy.

What are recommendations for lactation if you’re taking Cyclobenzaprine?

NSAIDs are considered safe during lactation and are a mainstay in the management of postpartum pain. There are several physiologic changes that occur during pregnancy and in the postpartum periods that have the potential to affect the pharmacokinetics of medications administered during pregnancy and postpartum. Drinking is also discouraged while taking a muscle relaxant and this advice is routinely ignored. For temporary relief, sugarless candy or gum is suggested and melting bits of ice in your mouth is recommended. People take muscle relaxants and expect to be able to function and work normally, including driving, operating machinery or doing cognitive tasks that require focus, which is a huge practical problem. Muscle relaxants make all these tasks harder, even at low doses like opioids.

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In some cases, your doctor may be able to adjust your dosage or recommend other medications that may be safer for you and your developing baby. It’s also important to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery while taking Flexeril, as the medication can cause drowsiness and make it harder to concentrate. By being aware of the potential side effects of Flexeril and taking steps to manage them, you can help ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Re: Are there any muscle relaxers safe when pregnant?

In addition to talking to your doctor, make sure to take Flexeril exactly as prescribed. It’s also important to avoid drinking alcohol or taking other medications that may interact with Flexeril, as these can increase your risk of side effects or other complications. By following these tips and working closely with your doctor, you can help ensure that you and your developing baby stay safe and healthy while taking Flexeril during pregnancy. If you do experience side effects while taking Flexeril during pregnancy, make sure to talk to your doctor right away.

• One study demonstrated that 1% of pregnant near-term women  admitted to non-medical use of a prescription opioid analgesic within the past 30 days.
• Any decisions regarding the use of medication during pregnancy should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider.
• The possibility of these should be assessed before taking a medication like Flexeril.
• Fortunately, there are several alternatives that you could consider to ease your pain and discomfort.

Before taking any medication during pregnancy, it is always recommended to consult with your doctor to determine the safest course of action. Thank you for reading and please visit again later for more informative articles. Skeletal muscle relaxants are often prescribed for musculoskeletal conditions including low back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, tension headaches, and myofascial pain syndrome. The goals of treatment include managing muscle pain and improving functional status so the patient can return to work or resume previous activities. Muscle strain and backache may be common during pregnancy, but many drugs that are safe for most adults can be harmful to a pregnant woman or her fetus. Flexeril, known generically as cyclobenzaprine, is a muscle relaxant most often given for treatment of injury or muscle strain 1.

Evidence of Effectiveness

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how Flexeril affects you. Post-delivery during breastfeeding, a small amount of Cyclobenzaprine tends to mix in breast milk. There is no clear evidence Cyclobenzaprine affects a woman during her pregnancy. The medicine can be used safely under the guidance of a medical expert (Di Martino, A., Russo, F., Denaro, L. and Denaro, V., 2017). Flexeril use should be closely monitored in pregnant women and caution should be exercised before deciding to take the medication.

(Warner 2011) Pregnant women were not exempt from the consequences of opioid use. One study demonstrated that 1% of pregnant near-term women  admitted to non-medical use of a prescription opioid analgesic within the past 30 days. (Bateman 2014) Another showed that 6% of pregnant women admitted nonmedical use of opioid analgesics during pregnancy and opioid users had significantly higher rates of psychiatric comorbidities. Prescription drug abuse in women of childbearing age can have significant consequences including unprotected sex, domestic violence, and child abuse. Although prescription drug abuse may not affect parenting ability, it is intuitive that treatment and abstinence are preferred.