Patient Information for Amrix
AMRIX®
(am-rix)
(cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules)
What is AMRIX?
AMRIX is a prescription medicine used along with rest and physical therapy to help treat muscle spasm due to acute, painful musculoskeletal problems.
AMRIX should only be used for up to 2 or 3 weeks. It is not known if AMRIX is effective when used for longer periods. It is not known if AMRIX is safe and effective in children.
Do not take AMRIX if you:
- are allergic to cyclobenzaprine or any of the ingredients in AMRIX. See the end of this Patient Information leaflet for a complete list of ingredients in AMRIX.
Talk to your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you have symptoms of an allergic reaction such as:
-
- difficulty breathing
- hives
- swelling of your face or tongue
- itching
- are taking certain antidepressants, known as monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors or it has been 14 days or less since you stopped taking a MAO inhibitor. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of these medicines if you are not sure.
- have had a recent heart attack
- have heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias)
- have heart failure
- have an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
Talk to your healthcare provider before taking this medicine if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Before taking AMRIX, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have a history of eye problems including glaucoma
- have heart problems or have had a heart attack
- have liver problems
- have trouble emptying your bladder (urinary retention)
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if AMRIX will harm your unborn baby.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if AMRIX passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you take AMRIX.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take:
- a medicine to treat depression, mood, anxiety, psychotic, or thought disorders
- a pain medicine called tramadol or meperidine
- barbiturates or other medicines that depress your central nervous system (CNS depressants)
- a medicine that prevents nerve impulses (anticholinergic medicines)
- a medicine to help quit smoking called bupropion
- a blood pressure medicine called verapamil
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider or pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
How should I take AMRIX?
- Take AMRIX exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it.
- Your healthcare provider will tell you how much AMRIX to take and when to take it.
- Your healthcare provider may change your AMRIX dose if needed.
- Take AMRIX around the same time every day.
- Swallow AMRIX capsules whole.
- If you have difficulty swallowing AMRIX capsules, tell your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider may recommend opening the AMRIX capsule and mixing the contents with applesauce.
- AMRIX should only be taken for short periods (up to two or three weeks).
- If you take too much AMRIX, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
What should I avoid while taking AMRIX?
You should not drink alcohol until you know how AMRIX affects you. Taking AMRIX with alcohol or other medicines that depress your central nervous system can slow your thinking and physical response times.
Do not drive, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how AMRIX affects you.
What are the possible side effects of AMRIX?
AMRIX may cause serious side effects, including:
- Serotonin syndrome is a serious medical condition that may happen when AMRIX is taken with certain other medicines.
- Call your healthcare provider right away or go to the nearest hospital emergency room if you have some or all of these symptoms suggestive of serotonin syndrome:
- agitation, hallucinations, coma, or other changes in mental status
- coordination problems or muscle twitching (overactive reflexes)
- fast heartbeat, high or low blood pressure
- sweating or fever
- nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- muscle stiffness or tightness
- AMRIX may cause serious side effects that may lead to heart attack or stroke. Call your healthcare provider right away or go to the nearest hospital emergency room if you have:
- irregular or abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmias)
- fast heartbeat (tachycardia)
The most common side effects of AMRIX include:
- dry mouth
- nausea
- dizziness
- upset stomach
- fatigue
- drowsiness
- constipation
These are not all the possible side effects of AMRIX.
Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I store AMRIX?
- Store AMRIX at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
- Keep AMRIX in a tightly closed container, and keep AMRIX out of light.
- Keep AMRIX and all medicines out of the reach of children.
General information about the safe and effective use of AMRIX.
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use AMRIX for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give AMRIX to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them.
You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about AMRIX that is written for healthcare professionals.
What are the ingredients in AMRIX?
Active Ingredient: cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride USP
Inactive Ingredients: diethyl phthalate NF, ethylcellulose NF (Ethocel Standard 10 Premium), gelatin, Opadry® Clear YS-17006, sugar spheres NF (20-25 mesh), and titanium dioxide.
AMRIX 15 mg capsules also contain: D&C yellow #10, FD&C green #3, and FD&C red #40.
AMRIX 30 mg capsules also contain: FD&C blue #1, FD&C blue #2, FD&C red #40, and FD&C yellow #6.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
AMRIX®
(am-rix)
(cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules)
Read this Instructions for Use before you prepare your first dose of AMRIX mixed with applesauce using the capsule sprinkle method, each time you get a refill, and as needed. There may be new information. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions about how to mix or give a dose of AMRIX using the capsule sprinkle method.
Important Information:
- Do not chew AMRIX capsules or the granules that are in the capsules.
- The capsule sprinkle method for mixing the contents of AMRIX with applesauce may be used for adults who cannot swallow capsules. Do not use any other food in the place of applesauce.
Preparing a dose of AMRIX using the capsule sprinkle method.
Before you prepare a dose of AMRIX mixed with applesauce using the capsule sprinkle method, gather the following supplies:
- paper towels
- tablespoon
- applesauce
- cup of water
Step 1: Choose a clean, flat work surface. Place a clean paper towel on the work surface. Then place the other supplies on the paper towel.
Step 2: Wash and dry your hands well.
Step 3: Check the dose that was prescribed by your healthcare provider. Take out the number of AMRIX capsules needed to prepare your dose. Place them on the paper towel.
Step 4: Place enough applesauce to fill your tablespoon. Set the tablespoon down on the paper towel.
Step 5: Hold the AMRIX capsule in an upright position (vertical) directly over the tablespoon. Hold each end of the AMRIX capsule between your thumbs and index (pointer) fingers.
Step 6: Carefully twist both ends of the AMRIX capsule in opposite directions to open it. Be careful not to spill the capsule contents.
Step 7: Sprinkle the contents of the AMRIX capsule onto the applesauce.
- Check the capsule shells to make sure they are empty.
- Throw away the empty capsule shells.
If the total prescribed dose is more than 1 capsule, repeat Steps 5 through 7 for each capsule. Do not add more applesauce. Then follow the rest of the steps below.
Step 8: Pick up the tablespoon and swallow the AMRIX capsule contents and applesauce mixture right away. Do not chew the AMRIX capsule contents and applesauce mixture.
Step 9: Rinse your mouth with a sip of water and swallow to make sure that all of the AMRIX granules have been swallowed.
Step 10: Throw away any unused AMRIX capsule content and applesauce mixture. Do not keep any AMRIX capsule content and applesauce mixture for future use.
How should I store AMRIX?
- Store AMRIX capsules at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
Keep AMRIX capsules and all medicines out of the reach of children.
This Instructions for Use has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.