Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules

Rx Only

DESCRIPTION

Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules are a skeletal muscle relaxant which relieves muscle spasm of local origin without interfering with muscle function. The active ingredient in cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules is cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride, USP. Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride (HCl) is a white, crystalline tricyclic amine salt with the empirical formula C20H21N·HCl and a molecular weight of 311.9. It has a melting point of 217°C, and a pKa of 8.47 at 25°C. It is freely soluble in water and alcohol, sparingly soluble in isopropanol, and insoluble in hydrocarbon solvents. If aqueous solutions are made alkaline, the free base separates.  Cyclobenzaprine HCl is designated chemically as 3-(5H-dibenzo[a,d] cyclohepten-5-ylidene)-N,N-dimethyl-1-propanamine hydrochloride, and has the following structural formula:

Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules for oral administration are supplied in 15 and 30 mg strengths. Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules contain the following inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, dehydrated alcohol, ethylcellulose, FD&C yellow #6, gelatin, hydroxypropyl cellulose, isopropyl alcohol, potassium hydroxide, sugar spheres and titanium dioxide. In addition, red iron oxide is also included in the 15 mg strength. The capsule is imprinted with black ink consisting of: black iron oxide, D&C Yellow #10, ethanol, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Blue #2, FD&C Red #40, methanol, N-butyl alcohol, propylene glycol, and shellac.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Cyclobenzaprine relieves skeletal muscle spasm of local origin without interfering with muscle function. Cyclobenzaprine has not been shown to be effective in muscle spasm due to central nervous system disease. In animal models, cyclobenzaprine reduced or abolished skeletal muscle hyperactivity. Animal studies indicate that cyclobenzaprine does not act at the neuromuscular junction or directly on skeletal muscle. Such studies show that cyclobenzaprine acts primarily within the central nervous system at the brain stem as opposed to the spinal cord level, although an overlapping action on the latter may contribute to its overall skeletal muscle relaxant activity. Evidence suggests that the net effect of cyclobenzaprine is a reduction of tonic somatic motor activity, influencing both gamma (γ) and alpha (α) motor systems. Pharmacological studies in animals demonstrated a similarity between the effects of cyclobenzaprine and the structurally related tricyclic antidepressants, including reserpine antagonism, norepinephrine potentiation, potent peripheral and central anticholinergic effects, and sedation. Cyclobenzaprine caused slight to moderate increase in heart rate in animals.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules are indicated as an adjunct to rest and physical therapy for relief of muscle spasm associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions. Improvement is manifested by relief of muscle spasm and its associated signs and symptoms, namely, pain, tenderness, and limitation of motion.

Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules should be used only for short periods (up to two or three weeks) because adequate evidence of effectiveness for more prolonged use is not available and because muscle spasm associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions is generally of short duration and specific therapy for longer periods is seldom warranted.

Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules have not been found effective in the treatment of spasticity associated with cerebral or spinal cord disease or in children with cerebral palsy.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

• Hypersensitivity to any component of this product.
• Concomitant use of monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors or within 14 days after their discontinuation.
• Hyperpyretic crisis seizures and deaths have occurred in patients receiving cyclobenzaprine (or structurally similar tricyclic antidepressants) concomitantly with MAO inhibitor drugs.
• During the acute recovery phase of myocardial infarction, and in patients with arrhythmias, heart block conduction disturbances, or congestive heart failure.
• Hyperthyroidism.

WARNINGS

Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules are closely related to the tricyclic antidepressants, e.g., amitriptyline and imipramine. In short term studies for indications other than muscle spasm associated with acute musculoskeletal conditions, and usually at doses somewhat greater than those recommended for skeletal muscle spasm, some of the more serious central nervous system reactions noted with the tricyclic antidepressants have occurred (see WARNINGS, below, and ADVERSE REACTIONS).

Tricyclic antidepressants have been reported to produce arrhythmias, sinus tachycardia, prolongation of the conduction time leading to myocardial infarction and stroke. Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules may enhance the effects of alcohol, barbiturates, and other CNS depressants.

As a result of a two-fold higher cyclobenzaprine plasma levels in subjects with mild hepatic impairment, as compared to healthy subjects, following administration of immediate-release cyclobenzaprine and because there is limited dosing flexibility with cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules, use of cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules is not recommended in subjects with mild, moderate or severe hepatic impairment.

As a result of a 40% increase in cyclobenzaprine plasma levels and a 56% increase in plasma half-life following administration of cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules in elderly subjects as compared to young adults, use of cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules is not recommended in elderly.

PRECAUTIONS

General

Because of its atropine-like action, cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules should be used with caution in patients with a history of urinary retention, angle-closure glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, and in patients taking anticholinergic medication.

Information for Patients

Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules, especially when used with alcohol or other CNS depressants, may impair mental and/or physical abilities required for performance of hazardous tasks, such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle.

Drug Interactions

Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules may have life-threatening interactions with MAO inhibitors. (See CONTRAINDICATIONS.) Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules may enhance the effects of alcohol, barbiturates, and other CNS depressants. Tricyclic antidepressants may block the antihypertensive action of guanethidine and similarly acting compounds. Tricyclic antidepressants may enhance the seizure risk in patients taking tramadol (ULTRAM® [tramadol HCl tablets, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical] or ULTRACET® [tramadol HCl and acetaminophen tablets, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical]).

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

In rats treated with cyclobenzaprine for up to 67 weeks at doses of approximately 5 to 40 times the maximum recommended human dose, pale, sometimes enlarged, livers were noted and there was a dose-related hepatocyte vacuolation with lipidosis. In the higher dose groups, this microscopic change was seen after 26 weeks and even earlier in rats that died prior to 26 weeks; at lower doses, the change was not seen until after 26 weeks. Cyclobenzaprine did not affect the onset, incidence, or distribution of neoplasia in an 81-week study in the mouse or in a 105-week study in the rat. At oral doses of up to 10 times the human dose, cyclobenzaprine did not adversely affect the reproductive performance or fertility of male or female rats. Cyclobenzaprine did not demonstrate mutagenic activity in the male mouse at dose levels of up to 20 times the human dose.

A battery of mutagenicity tests using bacterial and mammalian systems for point mutations and cytogenic effects have provided no evidence for a mutagenic potential for cyclobenzaprine. An in vivo mouse bone micronucleus assay, an assessment of chromosomal aberrations (Chinese hamster ovary), and a mammalian microsome reverse mutation assay were negative.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category B: Reproduction studies have been performed in rats, mice, and rabbits at doses up to 20 times the human dose and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to cyclobenzaprine. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Nursing Mothers

It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because cyclobenzaprine is closely related to the tricyclic antidepressants, some of which are known to be excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules are administered to a nursing woman.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness of cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules has not been studied in pediatric patients.

Use in the Elderly

The plasma concentration and half-life of cyclobenzaprine are substantially increased in the elderly when compared to the general patient population (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Pharmacokinetics, Special Populations, Elderly). Accordingly, cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules should not be used in the elderly.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common adverse reactions in the two 14-day clinical efficacy trials and in the 7-day repeat-dose pharmacokinetic study are presented in Tables 5 and 6, respectively.

In a postmarketing surveillance program (7607 patients treated with cyclobenzaprine 10 mg TID), the adverse reactions reported most frequently were drowsiness, dry mouth, and dizziness. The incidence of these common adverse reactions was lower in the surveillance program than in the controlled clinical studies:

Among the less frequent adverse reactions, there was no appreciable difference in incidence in controlled clinical studies or in the surveillance program. Adverse reactions which were reported in 1% to 3% of the patients were: fatigue/tiredness, asthenia, nausea, constipation, dyspepsia, unpleasant taste, blurred vision, headache, nervousness, and confusion. The following adverse reactions have been reported in post-marketing experience or with an incidence of less than 1% of patients in clinical trials with the 10 mg TID tablet:

Body as a Whole: Syncope; malaise.

Cardiovascular: Tachycardia; arrhythmia; vasodilatation; palpitation; hypotension.

Digestive: Vomiting; anorexia; diarrhea; gastrointestinal pain; gastritis; thirst; flatulence; edema of the tongue; abnormal liver function and rare reports of hepatitis, jaundice, and cholestasis.

Hypersensitivity: Anaphylaxis; angioedema; pruritus; facial edema; urticaria; rash.

Musculoskeletal: Local weakness.

Nervous System and Psychiatric: Seizures, ataxia; vertigo; dysarthria; tremors; hypertonia; convulsions; muscle twitching; disorientation; insomnia; depressed mood; abnormal sensations; anxiety; agitation; psychosis, abnormal thinking and dreaming; hallucinations; excitement; paresthesia; diplopia.

Skin: Sweating.

Special Senses: Ageusia; tinnitus.

Urogenital: Urinary frequency and/or retention.

Causal Relationship Unknown

Other reactions, reported rarely for cyclobenzaprine under circumstances where a causal relationship could not be established or reported for other tricyclic drugs, are listed to serve as alerting information to physicians:

Body as a whole: Chest pain; edema.

Cardiovascular: Hypertension; myocardial infarction; heart block; stroke.

Digestive: Paralytic ileus, tongue discoloration; stomatitis; parotid swelling.

Endocrine: Inappropriate ADH syndrome.

Hematic and Lymphatic: Purpura; bone marrow depression; leukopenia; eosinophilia; thrombocytopenia.

Metabolic, Nutritional and Immune: Elevation and lowering of blood sugar levels; weight gain or loss.

Musculoskeletal: Myalgia.

Nervous System and Psychiatric: Decreased or increased libido; abnormal gait; delusions; aggressive behavior; paranoia; peripheral neuropathy; Bell’s palsy; alteration in EEG patterns; extrapyramidal symptoms.

Respiratory: Dyspnea.

Skin: Photosensitization; alopecia.

Urogenital: Impaired urination; dilatation of urinary tract; impotence; testicular swelling; gynecomastia; breast enlargement; galactorrhea.

DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE

Pharmacologic similarities among the tricyclic drugs require that certain withdrawal symptoms be considered when cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules are administered, even though they have not been reported to occur with this drug. Abrupt cessation of treatment after prolonged administration rarely may produce nausea, headache, and malaise. These are not indicative of addiction.

OVERDOSAGE

Although rare, deaths may occur from overdosage with cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules. Multiple drug ingestion (including alcohol) is common in deliberate cyclobenzaprine overdose. As management of overdose is complex and changing, it is recommended that the physician contact a poison control center for current information on treatment. Signs and symptoms of toxicity may develop rapidly after cyclobenzaprine overdose; therefore, hospital monitoring is required as soon as possible. The acute oral LD50 of cyclobenzaprine is approximately 338 and 425 mg/kg in mice and rats, respectively.

MANIFESTATIONS

The most common effects associated with cyclobenzaprine overdose are drowsiness and tachycardia. Less frequent manifestations include tremor, agitation, coma, ataxia, hypertension, slurred speech, confusion, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and hallucinations. Rare but potentially critical manifestations of overdose are cardiac arrest, chest pain, cardiac dysrhythmias, severe hypotension, seizures, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Changes in the electrocardiogram, particularly in QRS axis or width, are clinically significant indicators of cyclobenzaprine toxicity. Other potential effects of overdosage include any of the symptoms listed under ADVERSE REACTIONS.

MANAGEMENT

General

As management of overdose is complex and changing, it is recommended that the physician contact a poison control center for current information on treatment.

In order to protect against the rare but potentially critical manifestations described above, obtain an ECG and immediately initiate cardiac monitoring. Protect the patient’s airway, establish an intravenous line, and initiate gastric decontamination. Observation with cardiac monitoring and observation for signs of CNS or respiratory depression, hypotension, cardiac dysrhythmias and/or conduction blocks, and seizures is necessary. If signs of toxicity occur at any time during this period, extended monitoring is required. Monitoring of plasma drug levels should not guide management of the patient. Dialysis is probably of no value because of low plasma concentrations of the drug.

Gastrointestinal Decontamination

All patients suspected of an overdose with cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules should receive gastrointestinal decontamination. This should include large volume gastric lavage followed by activated charcoal. If consciousness is impaired, the airway should be secured prior to lavage and emesis is contraindicated.

Cardiovascular

A maximal limb-lead QRS duration of 0.10 seconds may be the best indication of the severity of the overdose. Serum alkalinization, to a pH of 7.45 to 7.55, using intravenous sodium bicarbonate and hyperventilation (as needed), should be instituted for patients with dysrhythmias and/or QRS widening. A pH >7.60 or a pCO2 <20 mmHg is undesirable. Dysrhythmias unresponsive to sodium bicarbonate therapy/hyperventilation may respond to lidocaine, bretylium, or phenytoin. Type 1A and 1C antiarrhythmics are generally contraindicated (e.g., quinidine, disopyramide, and procainamide).

CNS

In patients with CNS depression, early intubation is advised because of the potential for abrupt deterioration. Seizures should be controlled with benzodiazepines or, if these are ineffective, other anticonvulsants (e.g., phenobarbital, phenytoin). Physostigmine is not recommended except to treat life-threatening symptoms that have been unresponsive to other therapies, and then only in close consultation with a poison control center.

PSYCHIATRIC FOLLOW-UP

Since overdosage is often deliberate, patients may attempt suicide by other means during the recovery phase. Psychiatric referral may be appropriate.

PEDIATRIC MANAGEMENT

The principles of management of child and adult overdosage are similar. It is strongly recommended that the physician contact the local poison control center for specific pediatric treatment.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

The recommended adult dose for most patients is one (1) cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules, 15 mg taken once daily. Some patients may require up to 30 mg/day, given as one (1) cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules 30 mg, capsule taken once daily or as two (2) cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules, 15 mg taken once daily.

It is recommended that doses be taken at approximately the same time each day.

Use of cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules for periods longer than two or three weeks is not recommended (see INDICATIONS AND USAGE).

Dosage Considerations for Special Patient Populations: Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules should not be used in the elderly or in patients with impaired hepatic function. (see WARNINGS).

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .

HOW SUPPLIED

Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules, 15 mg are available as hard gelatin capsule with dark orange opaque cap and red opaque body imprinted with “A177” and “15” in black ink. They are supplied as follows:

Bottle of 60  ………  NDC 64376-177-61

Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules, 30 mg are available as hard gelatin capsule with orange opaque cap and white opaque body imprinted with “A178” and “30” in black ink. They are supplied as follows:

Bottle of 60  ………  NDC 64376-178-61

Store cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].

KEEP THIS AND ALL MEDICATION OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN. IN CASE OF ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE, SEEK PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE OR CONTACT A POISON CONTROL CENTER IMMEDIATELY.

Manufactured for:
Boca Pharmacal, Inc.
Coral Springs, FL 33065
www.bocapharmacal.com 
1-800-354-8460

Rev. 12/12

PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL

NDC 64376-177-61
15 mg, 60 capsules

[Rev. 20]

NDC 64376-178-61

30 mg, 60 capsules

[Rev. 17]