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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Chloe on August 7, 2002, at 21:00:39
A pdoc thinks this drug will help with tardive dykinesia, or my tongue movements. Has anyone heard of it???? What class is it? Side effects?
Thanx
C
Posted by Seamus2 on August 8, 2002, at 0:33:24
In reply to Anyone heard of CYCLOBENZINE, Canada drug?, posted by Chloe on August 7, 2002, at 21:00:39
I think you may mean cyclobenzaprine.
Probably one of a long line of anticholinergics derived from atropine, the most common which is benztropine, AKA Cogentin.
Seamus
Posted by IsoM on August 8, 2002, at 15:07:56
In reply to Anyone heard of CYCLOBENZINE, Canada drug?, posted by Chloe on August 7, 2002, at 21:00:39
Chloe, rather than answer in an email to you where I'd wander off into talk of our gardens, I'll just give a brief answer here on the drug alone.
It's name in Canada is Flexeril; it's a skeletal muscle relaxant & I've used it a number of times before over the years. It is a prescription drug here in Canada. The only side effects I noticed was drowsiness but it wasn't overly much.
It's a stronger muscle relaxant than most & generally is used for more severe muscle spasms. My CPS (Compendium of Pharmaceuticals & Specialties - the pharmacist's & doctor's Bible) does say that it's ineffective in treating muscle spasms due to CNS disease. Not that means it wouldn't help you though. It's referring to something like cerebral or spinal cord diseases.
It's closely related to TCAs & can interact with MAO inhibitors. Generally, Flexeril will not give problems that are associated with TCAs unless taken in a higher than recommended doses. Like, Seamus mentioned, it has an atropine-like action but I never experienced dry mouth, constipation or any other anticholinergic effects while taking it. The list of possible side effects (or adverse effects) is long, similar to that of TCAs, but as I said, they're generally not noticable unless taken in higher than recommended doses. The three most common are drowsiness (40%), dry mouth (28%), & dizziness (11%).
Dosage recommendation is: 10 mg 3 times/day, with a range of 20-40 mg/day in divided doses. Should not exceed 60 mg/day.
Do you know what dosage your doctor had wanted to use with you? And could he prescribe it to you even though it's not used in the States?
Posted by Chloe on August 8, 2002, at 18:14:50
In reply to Re: Anyone heard of CYCLOBENZINE, Canada drug? » Chloe, posted by IsoM on August 8, 2002, at 15:07:56
> Chloe, rather than answer in an email to you where I'd wander off into talk of our gardens, I'll just give a brief answer here on the drug alone.
>
> It's name in Canada is Flexeril; it's a skeletal muscle relaxant & I've used it a number of times before over the years. It is a prescription drug here in Canada. The only side effects I noticed was drowsiness but it wasn't overly much.
>
> It's a stronger muscle relaxant than most & generally is used for more severe muscle spasms. My CPS (Compendium of Pharmaceuticals & Specialties - the pharmacist's & doctor's Bible) does say that it's ineffective in treating muscle spasms due to CNS disease. Not that means it wouldn't help you though. It's referring to something like cerebral or spinal cord diseases.
>
> It's closely related to TCAs & can interact with MAO inhibitors. Generally, Flexeril will not give problems that are associated with TCAs unless taken in a higher than recommended doses. Like, Seamus mentioned, it has an atropine-like action but I never experienced dry mouth, constipation or any other anticholinergic effects while taking it. The list of possible side effects (or adverse effects) is long, similar to that of TCAs, but as I said, they're generally not noticable unless taken in higher than recommended doses. The three most common are drowsiness (40%), dry mouth (28%), & dizziness (11%).
>
> Dosage recommendation is: 10 mg 3 times/day, with a range of 20-40 mg/day in divided doses. Should not exceed 60 mg/day.
>
> Do you know what dosage your doctor had wanted to use with you? And could he prescribe it to you even though it's not used in the States?Hi Iso,
So nice to talk to you. What a great answer to my question. But I think we have flexeril in the US. I think my mother took it for muscle spasms. Hum, I will have to check.
When I saw the post from Seamus (thank you) that it was an anticholinergic, my heart sank. I feel like my body is already so pasty and dry. My mouth has sores from dry mouth at night, my gut is slow, but flaxseed oil helps alot. But what you describe does not sound so bad. I certainly can tolerate a little sedation. I don't mind that. I don't like the side effects that make me feel awful like muscle pain or constipation , headache insomnia, etc. I have no idea what the dosage would be. Or how they get the meds from your country. But they use it in the neurobehavioral unit at my pdoc's hospital. I guess there is a crossover into the psych dept for TD reduction?there is so much investigation that has to be done before I embark on ECT. But it does seem like the most logical step since I am on six meds, have terrible side effects, and have very little relief from emotional pain, depression or rage. I have been in a agitated rage for about a week. And it broke today. I actually was able to go out for a nice meal, and enjoy being out. But now I am exhausted. Gee, I have missed most of this summer being in a depressive or rage filled fog.
Thank you SO MUCH for giving me such a detailed explanation of cyclobenzine. I may send it along to my pdoc since she is not familiar iwth it. I will be in contact with you soon. Let me know how you are doing when you feel like it.
Chloe
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