Amrix

Amrix is a prescription medication used for a short period of time to relax muscles and relieve pain due to muscle spasms. It should be used along with rest and physical therapy. Amrix belongs to a class of drugs called muscle relaxants, which help by preventing muscle spasms without affecting overall muscle control and function.

This medication comes as an extended-release (long-acting) capsule that is usually taken once daily for no more than 2-3 weeks.

Common side effects of Amrix include dry mouth, nausea, tiredness, and constipation.

Amrix can cause dizziness and drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how Amrix affects you.

Amrix is a prescription medication used to relax muscles and relieve pain due to muscle spasms.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

• Cephalon, Inc.

Common side effects of Amrix include:

• dry mouth
• upset stomach
• dizziness or drowsiness
• fatigue/tiredness
• constipation
• dyspepsia (indigestion)
• unpleasant taste
• nausea
• headache
• blurred vision
• nervousness or confusion

This is not a complete list of Amrix side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with Amrix. See “Drug Precautions” section.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as selegiline (Emsam) and phenelzine (Nardil)
• alcohol
• barbiturates such as phenobarbital (Donnatal) or other central nervous system depressants
• tramadol (Ultram)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft)
• serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as amitriptyline (Elavil) or clomipramine (Anafranil)
• anticholinergic medications such as ipratropium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva)
• bupropion (Zyban, Wellbutrin)
• meperidine (Demerol)
• verapamil (Calan)

This is not a complete list of Amrix drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with Amrix including:

• General: Amrix should be used with caution in certain patients. Tell your doctor if you:
  • have a history of urinary retention
  • have a history of glaucoma or of high intraocular pressure (high pressure of the fluid in the eyes)
  • take anticholinergic medication such as atropine (Atroposil) and ipratropium (Atrovent)
• Impaired liver function: Amrix can increase liver tests and impair the liver’s function. Tell your doctor if you have a history of liver disease.
• Serotonin syndrome: Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms of serotonin syndrome:
  • confusion
  • agitation
  • hallucinations
  • high body temperature
  • fast heartbeat
  • tremors
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
• Hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction: Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction:
  • swelling
  • itchy skin
  • hives
  • rash
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • hoarseness

Amrix can cause dizziness and drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how Amrix affects you. Do not drink alcohol while taking Amrix. Alcohol may intensify this side effect.

Do not take Amrix if you:

• are allergic to Amrix or any of its ingredients
• have used monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as selegiline (Emsam) and phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days
• have a history of heart problems such as a heart attack, arrhythmia (abnormal heart beat or rhythm), heart block, conduction disturbances, or heart failure
• have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Amrix, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving Amrix.

Alcohol may intensify some of the side effects of this medication.

Before taking Amrix, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to Amrix
• have used monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as selegiline (Emsam) and phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days
• have a history of heart problems such as a heart attack, arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat), heart block, conduction disturbances, or heart failure
• have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
• have a history of liver disease
• have glaucoma
• have trouble urinating
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Amrix falls into category B. Studies in animals have failed to demonstrate a risk to the unborn baby and there are no well-controlled studies in pregnant women.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Amrix is excreted in human breast milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.

Take Amrix exactly as prescribed.

This medication comes in extended-release capsules and are usually taken once daily.

Take Amrix around the same time each day.

Amrix is recommended for use for up to 3 weeks.

Do not drink alcohol while taking Amrix.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of Amrix at the same time.

Take Amrix exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dosage of Amrix depending on the condition being treated and your response to the medication.  

Amrix is taken either as a 15 or 30 mg capsule once a day or (two) 15 mg capsules once a day.

In elderly patients, Amrix may be started at a lower dose and titrated slowly upward.

Amrix is not to be taken for more than 3 weeks.

If you take too much Amrix, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

Store Amrix at room temperature.

Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.