Is cyclobenzaprine a controlled substance?

In this article:

• What is cyclobenzaprine?
• Is cyclobenzaprine a controlled substance?
• What can I take instead of cyclobenzaprine?

In this article

• What is cyclobenzaprine?
• Is cyclobenzaprine a controlled substance?
• What can I take instead of cyclobenzaprine?

Cyclobenzaprine (common brand names Amrix and Flexeril) is a prescription skeletal muscle relaxant that relieves pain from muscle spasms. Many people mistake it for a controlled substance. However, medical experts say this is untrue, as the prescription medication is not classified as a controlled substance by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

What is cyclobenzaprine?

Cyclobenzaprine is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce muscle spasms that may be caused by injuries or other acute conditions. It can help provide short-term relief for symptoms such as pain, tenderness, and discomfort. Cyclobenzaprine is believed to work by calming the nervous system, which helps relax overly active muscles without affecting their normal function. While it’s an effective drug, it’s recommended to be used alongside rest and physical therapy.

Cyclobenzaprine belongs to a class of drugs known as muscle relaxants or central nervous system (CNS) depressants. “It is also chemically similar to a certain class of antidepressants known as tricyclic antidepressants, and thus has the ability to cause side effects that are similar to that class of medications (i.e., sedation, dry mouth and eyes, difficulty urinating, and increased heart rate),” says Allison Hinkle, PharmD, CPH, the clinical pharmacy manager at HCA Florida Highlands Hospital in Sebring, Florida. 

Is cyclobenzaprine a controlled substance?

According to Claudia Cometa, PharmD, executive healthcare consultant and owner of Peace Advocacy Group of Clearwater, Florida, cyclobenzaprine is not considered a controlled substance. “It is not a controlled substance in the United States by the DEA,” she says. The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) reports that cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride is approved for use in the United States in 5, 7.5, and 10 milligrams (mg) tablets intended for short-term (two to three weeks) oral administration. It is not currently controlled under the Controlled Substances Act, although the government is aware that the prescription drug is misused or abused in many cases, leading to severe medical complications and even death in some instances. 

Although cyclobenzaprine is not legally deemed a controlled substance in the United States, Dr. Hinkle says you may need to show some form of government identification to receive the prescription. “There is no federal law or regulation requiring a form of identification to fill cyclobenzaprine at a pharmacy,” she explains. “However, prescription pickup procedures can vary from state to state and pharmacy to pharmacy. For example, some pharmacies require that the person picking up a prescription be at least 18 years of age. It is usually good practice to ask about a pharmacy’s prescription pickup procedure ahead of time.”

What does that mean for me?

According to Dr. Cometa, any controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act has the potential to be abused. “These are medications that can cause psychological and/or physical dependence as well as have the potential for misuse and overdose,” she explains. “Most controlled substances are sedating, and combining them can result in excessive sedation and possibly shortness of breath. Due to the opioid crisis in America, the prescribing limitations for controlled substances have become increasingly strict. Individual states may propose tighter regulations than what are in place federally.”

While cyclobenzaprine is not a controlled substance, because of its sedative and relaxing effects, it may cause a euphoric effect (feeling “high”) for some people. Flexeril can be misused in various ways, such as taking it orally, mixing it with other substances, adding it to alcoholic drinks, or crushing it to snort. Given that cyclobenzaprine is not classified as a controlled substance by the DEA, it can be easier to obtain and misuse or abuse. 

Signs of cyclobenzaprine abuse can include the following: 

• Taking cyclobenzaprine much longer than needed.
• Having a constant need for more of the drug to get the same effects.
• Spending the majority of the day thinking about cyclobenzaprine, including how to get more of it, the effects it brings, and when to use it.
• Using cyclobenzaprine more than prescribed and being unable to stop.
• Faking symptoms to get a healthcare provider to write more prescriptions.
• Sudden negative changes in physical appearance, behavior, and hygiene.

If you or a loved one is abusing cyclobenzaprine, please seek help by contacting the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

If cyclobenzaprine continues to be abused in large quantities, it could lead to an overdose. Signs of an overdose are:

• Extreme drowsiness 
• Hallucinations
• Vomiting
• Rapid heartbeat
• Slurred speech
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Seizures
• Confusion
• Agitation 
• Coma

If you or someone is showing signs of an overdose, please seek immediate medical attention by calling 911, the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222, or going to the emergency room.

Cyclobenzaprine should be stored in the same tightly closed container it came from, out of the reach of children, at room temperature, and away from excess heat and moisture (e.g., the bathroom). 

If you have any leftover pills after completing treatment, they should be properly disposed of to ensure that children, pets, and other people cannot consume them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, consider taking your unused medication to a medicine take-back program or follow the FDA’s instructions to properly dispose of these medications:

• Remove the cyclobenzaprine from its original container.
• Mix the medication with an undesirable substance, such as cat litter, dirt, or used coffee grounds.
• Place the mixture in a container, such as a sealed plastic bag.
• Throw away the container in your trashcan at home.
• Remove any personal information from your prescription label on the empty medicine bottle and then trash or recycle the empty bottle. 

It is important to never give away or sell unused cyclobenzaprine pills to anyone, especially if they do not have a prescription for the medication.

What can I take instead of cyclobenzaprine?

If you’re concerned about Flexeril addiction, there are several alternatives your healthcare provider may recommend, including:

• Robaxin (methocarbamol) 
• Zanaflex (tizanidine)
• Skelaxin (metaxalone) 
• Soma (carisoprodol)
• Lioresal (baclofen) 
• Valium (diazepam)
• Lorzone (chlorzoxazone)
• Norflex (orphenadrine)
• Dantrium (dantrolene)
• Naprosyn (naproxen)

If you want to steer clear of prescription medications, Dr. Hinkle recommends the following naturopathic methods and other non-pharmacologic options for muscle pain:

• Arnica cream or gel
• Magnesium creams, gels, or foam
• Topical agents made from capsaicin 

“Nearly everyone will experience some type of myalgia, or muscle pain, at some point in their life,” Dr. Hinkle says. “It may be caused by overexertion, a traumatic injury, or even a viral infection, but when in doubt, seek consultation from your medical provider in lieu of self-treatment to rule out a serious injury. Always speak with a provider or pharmacist if you are uncertain about which over-the-counter product to choose or the side effects of an OTC medication when self-treating muscle soreness or spasms.”