Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine): Is There Withdrawal?

Flexeril withdrawal timeline at a glance

Phase	When	What you may feel	Severity	Red flags
After stopping (if anything happens)	The days after the last dose; the label gives no timing	Nausea; Headache; Malaise (feeling generally unwell)	Mild	Symptoms that are severe or don’t fade: call your doctor
Return of the original problem	Any time after stopping	Muscle spasm, pain or stiffness coming back; Less sleepiness than while taking it	Mild	Pain or spasm that is getting worse, or new numbness or weakness: see your doctor

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Symptoms, phase by phase

Cyclobenzaprine is chemically related to tricyclic antidepressants. Its label says that because of this similarity, doctors should keep tricyclic-type withdrawal symptoms in mind, even though they have not been reported with cyclobenzaprine. The only stopping symptoms the label describes are nausea, headache and malaise, which it says rarely occur after abruptly stopping prolonged treatment.

There is very little research on stopping cyclobenzaprine. We didn’t find any study that measured how soon these symptoms start or how long they last, so the phases below are descriptive rather than timed.

After stopping (if anything happens): The days after the last dose; the label gives no timing

• Nausea
• Headache
• Malaise (feeling generally unwell)

Return of the original problem: Any time after stopping

• Muscle spasm, pain or stiffness coming back
• Less sleepiness than while taking it

Is it withdrawal or the original problem? Cyclobenzaprine is used for muscle spasm from short-term muscle and bone conditions. If your spasm or pain comes back after you stop, that’s more likely the underlying problem than withdrawal. Tell your doctor.

What makes withdrawal longer or shorter

• How long you took it. The label ties the stopping symptoms to prolonged use. It says the drug should only be used for up to two or three weeks, and MedlinePlus says not to take it for more than 3 weeks without talking to your doctor.
• Slow elimination. The label gives an effective half-life of 18 hours (range 8 to 37 hours), so the drug fades gradually rather than all at once.
• Age and liver health. The label says blood levels are generally higher in older adults and in people with liver problems.
• Tablets vs extended-release capsules. MedlinePlus says tablets are usually taken three times a day and the extended-release capsule once a day. The sources don’t compare withdrawal between them.
• Alcohol and other sedatives. The label says cyclobenzaprine may enhance the effects of alcohol, barbiturates and other central nervous system depressants.

When to see a doctor or get help now

• Before stopping if you’ve taken it for longer than a few weeks, or if you take it with antidepressants or other prescriptions.
• Get emergency care for signs of possible serotonin syndrome, such as agitation, confusion, hallucinations, fever, sweating, fast heartbeat, shaking, muscle twitching or stiffness. The label says this can be life-threatening when cyclobenzaprine is combined with SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, tramadol, bupropion, meperidine, verapamil or MAO inhibitors.
• If nausea, headache or feeling unwell after stopping is severe or doesn’t fade.
• If your muscle pain or spasm keeps coming back. It may need a different treatment.
• Call or text 988 for thoughts of suicide or self-harm.

Not sure where to start? Call SAMHSA’s free, confidential helpline at 1-800-662-4357, 24/7. See Get Help.

Tapering

The cyclobenzaprine label does not call for a taper, and it doesn’t describe one. The label describes stopping symptoms only after prolonged use. If you’ve taken it for months, ask your prescriber whether to stop at once or step down. MedlinePlus says to get your doctor’s or pharmacist’s advice before starting, stopping or changing any medicines while you take cyclobenzaprine. We don’t publish dose-by-dose schedules.

Tips for getting through it

• Ask your prescriber before stopping if you’ve used it for longer than a few weeks
• Call your doctor if nausea, headache or feeling unwell after stopping is severe or doesn’t fade
• Ask your doctor or a physical therapist about stretches, heat or other non-drug ways to manage muscle pain
• Avoid alcohol while you’re still taking it
• Tell every prescriber you take cyclobenzaprine before starting an antidepressant, tramadol or bupropion

Frequently asked questions

Can you get withdrawal from Flexeril?

Rarely. The FDA label says stopping suddenly after prolonged use may rarely cause nausea, headache and malaise, and that these are not a sign of addiction.

How long do Flexeril withdrawal symptoms last?

The sources don’t say. With an effective half-life of about 18 hours, cyclobenzaprine leaves the body gradually, and the label describes only nausea, headache and malaise. Call your doctor if they’re severe or don’t go away.

Do I need to taper off cyclobenzaprine?

The label doesn’t require a taper. If you’ve taken it for a long time or at higher doses, ask your prescriber whether stepping down makes sense for you.

Is Flexeril addictive?

The label says the stopping symptoms it describes are not indicative of addiction. The label says it may enhance the effects of alcohol, barbiturates and other CNS depressants, so use it only as prescribed.

Is cyclobenzaprine withdrawal like Soma withdrawal?

No. Carisoprodol (Soma) is a different muscle relaxant, and stopping it after regular use can cause a more serious withdrawal. See our Soma withdrawal timeline for the difference.

Next steps

• Combine timelinesAdd other things you are stopping and see them on one chart
• Talk to othersAsk questions on our community forum (peer support, not medical advice)
• Read nextSoma (Carisoprodol) Withdrawal Timeline
• Get helpFree, confidential helplines and when to see a doctor

Related timelines

• Soma (Carisoprodol) Withdrawal Timeline
• Baclofen Withdrawal: Why Stopping Suddenly Is Dangerous
• Gabapentin Withdrawal Timeline
• Tramadol Withdrawal Timeline

Sources

1. FDA label: Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride tablets (Flexeril generic) (DailyMed)
2. MedlinePlus: Cyclobenzaprine
3. SAMHSA National Helpline

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Last reviewed: October 26, 2026. Researched and written by Withdrawal Timelines from the cited sources. This article has not yet been reviewed by a medical professional. See How We Review and our Medical Disclaimer. This is general information, not medical advice.