Myprocam is cyclobenzaprine, a muscle relaxant supplied as 15 mg and 30 mg slow-release capsules. It is used for short-term relief of muscle spasm from acute musculoskeletal conditions — a strained back, a spasming neck — alongside rest and physiotherapy.
What is Myprocam?
The South African Medicine Price Registry lists Myprocam as Schedule 5 slow-release capsules containing cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride at 15 mg and 30 mg. (The register spells it “cyclobenzaprien” in one entry — a typographical variant, not a different substance.)
Cyclobenzaprine is a centrally acting muscle relaxant. Despite the name, it does not act on muscle directly. It works in the brainstem, reducing the nerve activity that drives muscle tone — so the signal telling the muscle to contract is quietened rather than the muscle itself being weakened.
Its structure is closely related to the tricyclic antidepressants, and that is the single most useful thing to know about it. It is chemically almost identical to amitriptyline, and it shares their side effect profile: drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness and anticholinergic effects. It also shares their interactions — including the ones that matter most on this page.
Schedule 5 reflects that sedation and misuse potential rather than any complexity in use.
Slow-release capsules must be swallowed whole. Crushing or opening one releases the entire dose at once.
What is Myprocam commonly used for?
- Acute muscle spasm from musculoskeletal conditions — low back strain, neck spasm, torticollis.
- Pain and spasm after injury, short-term.
- Muscle spasm accompanying acute back pain, alongside analgesia.
- Fibromyalgia, in some prescribing, where low doses at night are used for pain and sleep.
It is for short-term use — typically two to three weeks at most. That is not a formality: the evidence for cyclobenzaprine is strongest in the first few days of an acute episode, and it diminishes after that. Beyond two or three weeks there is little evidence of continued benefit and the sedation persists.
Muscle relaxants treat spasm, not the cause. For acute back pain, the things that actually determine the outcome are unglamorous:
- Stay active. Prolonged bed rest worsens outcomes in back pain, which is the opposite of what most people assume and the single most important message.
- Simple analgesia — paracetamol, or an anti-inflammatory if suitable.
- Heat, and gentle movement.
- Physiotherapy where it persists.
- Return to normal activity as soon as pain allows.
A muscle relaxant makes those first few days more bearable so that you can move. It is an enabler, not a treatment.
It is not for spasticity. The stiffness of multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, stroke or cerebral palsy is a different problem and is treated with baclofen or tizanidine.
How Myprocam fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Centrally acting muscle relaxants | Cyclobenzaprine (Myprocam), methocarbamol, orphenadrine | Acute musculoskeletal spasm, short-term |
| Antispastics | Baclofen, tizanidine | Spasticity from neurological disease |
| Benzodiazepines | Diazepam | Spasm; sedation and dependence risk |
| Simple analgesics | Paracetamol (Donapan) | Pain relief |
| NSAIDs | Ibuprofen, diclofenac | Pain with inflammation |
| Corticosteroids | Prednisone | Inflammatory conditions, in courses |
| Physiotherapy and activity | — | What actually determines recovery |
See the pain, inflammation and musculoskeletal medicines hub.
What to check before using Myprocam
The tricyclic-related interactions are the important ones.
Do not take it with MAOI antidepressants, or within two weeks of stopping one — this combination can cause severe reactions including hyperthermia and seizures.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:
- Take SSRIs, SNRIs, tramadol, triptans or other serotonergic medicines — combining them raises the risk of serotonin syndrome.
- Take other sedating medicines — benzodiazepines, opioids, sleeping tablets, sedating antihistamines — or drink alcohol. The sedation is substantially additive.
- Have a heart rhythm problem, heart block, heart failure, or have had a recent heart attack.
- Have an overactive thyroid.
- Have glaucoma, particularly narrow-angle.
- Have an enlarged prostate or difficulty passing urine.
- Have liver disease — cyclobenzaprine is cleared by the liver and doses need reducing.
- Are elderly. This matters: the sedation, confusion, dizziness and anticholinergic effects make it a poor choice in older adults, where falls are the real risk.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Practical points:
- Swallow capsules whole — never crush, open or chew.
- Take it at the same time daily, often in the evening given the sedation.
- Do not drive until you know how it affects you. Drowsiness is pronounced, and next-day impairment is common with the slow-release form.
- Avoid alcohol entirely.
- Keep moving. The medicine is there to let you stay active, not to justify resting.
- Use it for two to three weeks at most without review.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Common effects are drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision, constipation, nausea and difficulty concentrating. Drowsiness and dry mouth are near-universal.
Get emergency help for:
- Serotonin syndrome — agitation, confusion, fever, sweating, shivering, muscle twitching, a racing heart — particularly if a serotonergic medicine has been added.
- Chest pain, palpitations, or a very fast or irregular heartbeat.
- Seizures.
- Severe drowsiness, difficulty being woken, or slow breathing — particularly with alcohol or an opioid.
- Inability to pass urine, with a full painful lower abdomen.
- Severe eye pain with blurred vision and a red eye — possible acute angle-closure glaucoma.
- Swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing.
Contact your doctor if:
- Spasm and pain are not improving after a week or two.
- Drowsiness is interfering with work or daily life.
- You have back pain with numbness, tingling or weakness in the legs, difficulty passing urine or controlling the bowels, or numbness around the groin. Those are red flags and need urgent assessment — they can indicate serious nerve compression.
- Back pain follows significant trauma, or comes with fever, unexplained weight loss or night pain.
- You have a history of cancer and develop new back pain.
- You are elderly and have become unsteady or confused on it.
Related medicine guides
- Browse Pain, Inflammation & Musculoskeletal Medicines guides
- Read: Prednisone used for
- Read: Donapan used for
Frequently asked questions
What is Myprocam used for? Short-term relief of muscle spasm from acute musculoskeletal conditions — a strained back, a spasming neck — alongside pain relief and staying active. It contains cyclobenzaprine.
What is the difference between 15 mg and 30 mg? Only the amount. Both are slow-release capsules and must be swallowed whole.
How long can I take it? Two to three weeks at most. The evidence is strongest in the first few days of an acute episode and diminishes after that.
Why does it make me so drowsy? Cyclobenzaprine is chemically close to the tricyclic antidepressants and shares their sedating effects. Do not drive until you know how it affects you.
Should I rest my back? No — staying active is the single most important thing in acute back pain. Prolonged bed rest makes outcomes worse. The medicine is there to help you keep moving.
Can I drink alcohol with it? No. The sedation is substantially additive.
Can I open the capsule? No. Slow-release capsules must be swallowed whole; opening one releases the whole dose at once.
When is back pain an emergency? Numbness, tingling or weakness in the legs, difficulty passing urine or controlling the bowels, or numbness around the groin. Those need urgent assessment.