{"id":630968,"date":"2025-01-09T10:52:27","date_gmt":"2025-01-09T15:52:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630968"},"modified":"2026-01-28T14:14:37","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T19:14:37","slug":"is-cyclobenzaprine-a-controlled-substance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/is-cyclobenzaprine-a-controlled-substance\/","title":{"rendered":"Is cyclobenzaprine a controlled substance?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cyclobenzaprine<\/span><\/a> (common brand names Amrix and Flexeril<\/a>) is a prescription skeletal muscle relaxant that relieves pain from muscle spasms. Many people mistake it for a controlled substance. However, medical experts say this is untrue, as the prescription medication is not classified as a controlled substance by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).<\/span><\/p>\n

What is cyclobenzaprine?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Cyclobenzaprine is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce muscle spasms that may be caused by injuries or other acute conditions. It can help provide short-term relief for symptoms such as pain, tenderness, and discomfort. Cyclobenzaprine is believed to work by calming the nervous system, which helps relax overly active muscles without affecting their normal function. <\/span>While it\u2019s an effective drug, it\u2019s recommended to be used alongside rest and<\/span> physical therapy<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cyclobenzaprine belongs to a class of drugs known as muscle relaxants or central nervous system (CNS) depressants. \u201cIt is also chemically similar to a certain class of antidepressants known as tricyclic antidepressants, and thus has the ability to cause side effects that are similar to that class of medications (i.e., sedation, dry mouth and eyes, difficulty urinating, and increased heart rate),\u201d says Allison Hinkle, Pharm.D., CPH, the clinical pharmacy manager at HCA Florida Highlands Hospital in Sebring, Florida.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is cyclobenzaprine a controlled substance?<\/span><\/h2>\n

According to Claudia Cometa, Pharm.D., executive healthcare consultant and owner of Peace Advocacy Group of Clearwater, Florida, cyclobenzaprine is not considered a controlled substance. \u201cIt is not a controlled substance in the United States by the DEA,\u201d she says. The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) reports that cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride is <\/span>approved for use in the United States<\/span><\/a> in 5, 7.5, and 10 milligram (mg) tablets intended for short-term (two to three weeks) oral administration. It is not currently controlled under the <\/span>Controlled Substances Act<\/span><\/a>, although the government is aware that the prescription drug is misused or abused in many cases, leading to severe medical complications and even death in some instances.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although cyclobenzaprine is not legally deemed a controlled substance in the United States, Dr. Hinkle says you may need to show some form of government identification to receive the prescription. \u201cThere is no federal law or regulation requiring a form of identification to fill cyclobenzaprine at a pharmacy,\u201d she explains. \u201cHowever, prescription pickup procedures can vary from state to state and pharmacy to pharmacy. For example, some pharmacies require that the person picking up a prescription be at least 18 years of age. It is usually good practice to ask about a pharmacy\u2019s prescription pickup procedure ahead of time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What does that mean for me?<\/span><\/h2>\n

According to Dr. Cometa, any controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act has the potential to be abused. \u201cThese are medications that can cause psychological and\/or physical dependence as well as have the potential for misuse and overdose,\u201d she explains. \u201cMost controlled substances are sedating, and combining them can result in excessive sedation and possibly shortness of breath. Due to the opioid crisis in America, the prescribing limitations for controlled substances have become increasingly strict. Individual states may propose tighter regulations than what are in place federally.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

While cyclobenzaprine is not a controlled substance, because of its sedative and relaxing effects, <\/span>it may cause a euphoric effect<\/span><\/a> (feeling \u201chigh\u201d) for some people. Flexeril can be misused in various ways, such as taking it orally, mixing it with other substances, adding it to alcoholic drinks, or crushing it to snort. Given that cyclobenzaprine is not classified as a controlled substance by the DEA, it can be easier to obtain and misuse or abuse.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Signs of <\/span>cyclobenzaprine abuse<\/span><\/a> can include the following:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n