Cyclobenzaprine and Tiredness: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• April 15, 2012

Cyclobenzaprine for Fibromyalgia "It was very helpful for the spasms in my neck, shoulders, back, and hips. It took a while before the muscles released. I weaned myself off the medicine, and within 2 weeks, I was experiencing severe pain again. I'm back on now. I take 10 mg at night. It does make me tired in the morning, but it's worth it. I would recommend this for back pain and spasms. It helps to take it consistently."

• Vic...
• May 6, 2010

Cyclobenzaprine for Muscle Spasm "I use Flexeril for muscle spasms that I have in my left arm and shoulder. One of the side effects of this medication is that it causes severe drowsiness. Once I take the medication, I must go to bed immediately. I am able to sleep through the night where before the spasms would wake me throughout the night. When I first began to take the medication, I found that I was very tired when I awoke in the morning. To combat this, I go to bed about two hours earlier. This is appearing to work out well. Now I awake rested and free of tightness, aches, and pains."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2025

Cyclobenzaprine for Muscle Spasm "For context, I had an issue with my hip for about 2 months that was diagnosed as SI joint inflammation; I also have several chronic conditions. I was prescribed a Medrol dose pack and 5 mg Flexeril three times daily as needed for muscle spasms. Because of what I do for work, I have only been taking it before bed. The cyclobenzaprine makes me mildly tired, blocks most of the pain signals, and I wake feeling energized with a little bit of dry mouth. The troubling side effect is the weird dreams. They are mundane in nature but take weird and violent turns. In one dream, I was at work and was almost killed by a new coworker who turned out to be a serial killer; in another dream, I had bought a house and was moving things in, but now had to take care of some $8k marine fish that was left behind; and in another, I was in a panicked frenzy looking for my socks so I could go home. I don't mind the dreams once I wake up and realize they are dreams; it's just a little jarring in the moment."

• Art...
• April 22, 2017

Cyclobenzaprine for Muscle Spasm "Stay away from this garbage. I was stupid enough to try it for 3 days, 10 mg before bedtime. All those days, I was like a zombie. Dry mouth. Crazy dreams. Constant nausea. Stomach stabbing pain. No energy at all. Sleepy during the day and crazy at night. I don't know who's writing positive reviews, maybe pharma people, lol. Do your research. Stay away from this drug!"

• coc...
• February 14, 2010

Cyclobenzaprine for Migraine "I have used Flexeril for back pain but took one the other night because I had a migraine and couldn't sleep. I've never had relief from any migraine, so I was amazed when, after about 2 1/2 hours, I got out of bed and felt OK to move around. After another hour or two, I was feeling drowsy, so I ended up going to bed, but I was happy to discover that Flexeril helped my migraine. It does make me VERY sleepy, so I only take it when I don't have much to do the next day. I usually feel lethargic the day after."

• LAE...
• October 21, 2016

Cyclobenzaprine for Muscle Spasm "5 or 10 mg works for muscle spasms, but dangerous if taken during the daytime. Caused uncontrolled drowsiness, deep sleep, difficulty waking up, constipation, blurred vision, and sudden unbearable headaches, leaving me unable to function. (5 or 10 mg doses had the same effects.) Lost a new job just 2 months after starting due to not realizing it was this medication's side effects of blurred vision, migraines, and exhaustion. I was unable to keep up with the workload and didn't relate it to Flexeril because I had been on it many years ago when I was much younger. I tried to explain to my PCP, but some docs just don't listen. I have since stopped Flexeril, no more headaches!"

• Aan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2019

For Muscle Spasm "This is the only muscle relaxant out of the ones I tried that really works for my muscle spasms, and a bonus is it also helps with my anxiety. But the side effects are so annoying and off-putting that I can't take it regularly enough to relieve the problem. It makes me VERY dizzy and groggy, even throughout the next day. I constantly feel like I'm gonna fall asleep or lose my balance when I stand up. There is also just a general tired brain fog feeling. If you really need it and are really in pain, then it will do the job. But beware of the side effects and don't expect to be very productive the next day unless you force yourself to push through it."

• Mys...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2019

For Muscle Spasm "Went to urgent care because my stiff shoulder muscle was causing pain/headaches. I was prescribed cyclobenzaprine 5 mg three times a day. Overall, it worked, but made me very tired the first few days. On days one and two, I slept most of the day. So, if you have work to do, it can make things difficult. Days six and seven, I had dry mouth and dizziness when standing. It took away pain I had been trying to massage out for months, and I’m now pain-free. Therefore, I would still recommend this medication despite the side effects."

• Jbi...
• December 20, 2016

For Muscle Spasm "This stuff is brutal. Helps me sleep with all of my neck and shoulder stiffness and pain, but I'm exhausted, lethargic, dizzy, off balance, panicked, and confused for 2 days after. I can't take this anymore. I feel like I'm in purgatory when I take this stuff."

• Jbi...
• December 20, 2016

For Muscle Spasm "This stuff is brutal. Helps me sleep with all of my neck and shoulder stiffness and pain, but I'm exhausted, lethargic, dizzy, off balance, panicked, and confused for 2 days after. I can't take this anymore. I feel like I'm in purgatory when I take this stuff."

• Tha...
• May 26, 2017

For Temporomandibular Joint Disorder "I took this when my jaw and face muscles were hurting, and Advil itself was not taking it away completely. I took this with 400 mg of ibuprofen, went to sleep, and woke up, and the pain was completely gone. It did give me weird dreams, but it's worth it to me to get rid of the pain finally. It also makes me tired, so I would only take it at night, or when I know I don't have to drive or do anything for the rest of the day."

• Rai...
• February 26, 2012

For Muscle Spasm "I must be one of the rare ones. This medication was to be a resolution to constant pain from a pulled muscle in my face and neck after oral surgery. I was instructed to take a 1-5 MG tablet twice daily for 1 month. I take it 2 hours before bed, and by bedtime, I'm so wired and jittery, I have to stay up to avoid keeping my spouse up. I also have restless leg syndrome, spells were rare until this. After taking 1 tablet, I will spend the next 4 to 6 hours pacing, as it seems to cause prolonged restless leg syndrome spells. The feeling seems to affect my arms as well, so I have this need to shake my hands/arms violently. Now, completely exhausted, I have to fight through the pain in my face still to sleep. I no longer take it."

• hil...
• April 1, 2011

Cyclobenzaprine for Muscle Spasm "This medicine has been a blessing for me after trying chiropractic, physical therapy, injections, etc. I suffer from fibromyalgia, scoliosis, and a bulging neck disc. I sometimes get tired, but after 61 years of being very active and hard work (I mean hard), naps are expected. Sometimes all of us need to slow down."

• ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 18, 2018

For Muscle Spasm "I find that this drug has very mild muscle relaxant properties. It helps a bit, but not much for my sciatic pain caused by piriformis syndrome. The problem with this drug is that I am super groggy and tired the next day, and therefore must take a long nap and/or force myself to function the next day. This medication puts a big damper on my daily productivity, while the actual pain relief results are minimal. Take with caution or avoid it."

• Rit...
• December 8, 2019

Cyclobenzaprine "It's amazing to me that so many people feel this is a strong medication. I took 10 mg Flexeril for carpal tunnel a few years ago and felt absolutely nothing. No lethargy, no sleepiness, no relief of symptoms. I also tried Soma, which didn't help either. My doctor finally switched me to a real, well-known, tried and true muscle relaxant-diazepam (Valium) 10 mg, which would knock most folks out. But not me, and I'm of average weight for my height. The Valium helped some, symptoms improved a bit with rest, but still not a whole lot. So, after 2 months of trying meds and hand therapy, hot wax treatments, and rest... my doc and I decided I needed to have the carpal tunnel surgery to get some relief. That's what helped the most."

• Meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 1, 2020

Cyclobenzaprine for Muscle Spasm "I was apprehensive about taking this after reading the reviews, but my experience has been positive. I had jaw surgery 6.5 weeks ago, and at about 5 weeks, my left condyle slipped off the disc and stayed there (slipped TMJ disc). I couldn't open my mouth anymore without sharp pain. Swallowing hurt, talking hurt, sometimes even moving my head hurt. It was like this for 6 days before I was able to see my surgeon and get a prescription. The next day after I started Flexeril, the pain improved. The day after, I could chew a little. Today is day four, and I'm amazed at how much better my joint feels, I can open comfortably, and I'm not in constant pain anymore. The side effects for me have been minimal. Maybe a little more tired, but honestly, I hardly notice. My mouth is a bit dry too. The great irony, however, is that I still get jaw spasms. On that count, it's been completely ineffective. But they don't bother me too much, I only get a few per day, and if I open too wide."

• MaM...
• November 5, 2009

Cyclobenzaprine for Muscle Spasm "I injured my back, and it took me 4 days to visit the doctor. Even though he barely examined me, he prescribed me Amrix. I'm not the hugest fan! I am a busy mother who works full-time and goes to school full-time. Amrix makes you tired and not able to do a whole lot. It didn't help too much with the pain either."

• pap...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 20, 2015

For Muscle Spasm "I have a bad disk, which is causing a pinched nerve. I have a script for 10 mg 3x a day, and it takes a couple of hours to really kick in, but it does kick in eventually. On the flip side, though, by the end of the day and after taking my prescribed amount, I felt very tired. Then I woke up in the middle of the night to use the restroom, and my arms, legs, and brain felt like I got zombified. And the worst cottonmouth ever. All in all, it did what it was prescribed to do."

• Spa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2015

For Muscle Spasm "Awful experience taking this for lower back. But this week, I had a spasm in my neck. Ibuprofen was not working. I was so uncomfortable I took one pill. It did nothing except make me feel so tired. I didn't even remember going to bed. The next day, I felt extremely lethargic, zombie-ish, and depressed. It's an awful and pointless medication."

• Spa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2015

For Muscle Spasm "Awful experience taking this for lower back. But this week, I had a spasm in my neck. Ibuprofen was not working. I was so uncomfortable I took one pill. It did nothing except make me feel so tired. I didn't even remember going to bed. The next day, I felt extremely lethargic, zombie-ish, and depressed. It's an awful and pointless medication."

• Dea...
• January 21, 2017

For Muscle Spasm "Wow, this medication makes my back pain and spasms go away. The downfall of this medication is the 'knockout feeling.' I took one yesterday around 6:30 p.m., at 11:30 this morning, I was driving to an appointment and felt detached. The medication works, however, being tired, dopey feeling, and foggy-headed are the negatives for this. It is too bad it makes me so tired. My back, on the other hand, feels great."

• Shi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2023

Cyclobenzaprine "I've tried Flexeril before and could hardly move, my muscles seemed so weak. However, my doctor prescribed it again. I just had a knee replacement and have been doing extensive therapy, but I'm still in pain. Plus, because of my slipped disc and spinal stenosis, I could only stand for a few minutes or walk much. I only take the medicine once in a while at night, but I can't wake up the next morning, and when I do, I am dizzy and exhausted. I'm 75 years old, and once before, I received a letter from Medicare telling me that, at my age, I should not be on a muscle relaxer. I definitely slept through the night on the medicine, but know not to take it if I have to go out the next day. It does affect my breathing because of my asthma."

• Anonymous
• June 27, 2019

For Temporomandibular Joint Disorder "Was prescribed this medication, cyclobenzaprine, for my jaw pain, doesn’t really help with the pain much, but puts you to sleep. Makes you extremely groggy and tired in the morning. I would not recommend this drug, waste of money!"

• Kca...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 20, 2021

For Temporomandibular Joint Disorder "I've been on Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) for years for Tourette syndrome and TMJ. It's a skeletal muscle relaxer and does the job it says it does, but to the degree of how well it works depends on the case. In my case, my TMJ is stress-induced and also has been induced from motor tics from the Tourette syndrome, and one of them happened to be clenching my mouth very tight as a child. So advanced TMJ like mine isn't going to be cured from a muscle relaxer. Yes, it does make you tired, and at night, helps ease the pain a little when it starts traveling up into my head and ear and overall makes the face relaxed and droop a bit. For some more comfort, take with a pain reliever like acetaminophen, or I prefer the NSAID naproxen."

• Drh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 21, 2021

For Muscle Spasm "I have severe lower back pain from spinal stenosis. I took this medication yesterday in the morning, and I could not stay awake. I was so drowsy and lethargic. My mouth was dry, and I had a bad headache. It did help with the muscle spasms, but the side effects from this were not worth it for me. I hated the way it made me feel."