How Long Does Flexeril Stay in Your System?

Edmund Murphy
Dr. Aaron Wiegmann
Written by Edmund Murphy on 11 January 2022
Medically reviewed by Dr. Aaron Wiegmann on 25 November 2024

Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril/Amrix) is a prescribed medication used to treat mild to moderate muscle pain, spasms, and musculoskeletal disorders. As with all drugs, the length of time it is detectable in the system varies depending on multiple factors.

This table shows how long Flexeril is detectable in the system by different drug types.

Drug Sample TypeFlexeril Detection Time
Urine testing13 days after use
Blood testing4 hours after use
Saliva testingN/A
Hair testingup to 90 days after use
Key takeaways:
  • Cyclobenzaprine, sold under the brand name Flexeril and Amrix, is hard to detect in most standard drug toxicology tests.
  • Hair follicle testing is often able to show precisely when drugs were taken up to 90 days, however, in the case of Flexeril, hair tests can only pinpoint use up to three days after last use.
  • As a rough estimate, it usually takes 5.5 days x the half-life of the drug for it to be fully out of your system.

Is Flexeril detectable in your system?

Cyclobenzaprine, sold under the brand name Flexeril and Amrix, is hard to detect in most standard drug toxicology tests. This is due to most drug tests screening for specific drug metabolites that aren’t present in Flexeril.

However, those who abuse cyclobenzaprine often do so in conjunction with other central nervous system depressants such as opioids, alcohol, and benzodiazepine. These substances are often picked up in urine, blood, saliva, and hair drug tests.

Flexeril detection time by drug test

Testing for cyclobenzaprine-based drugs is rare as they are considered nonaddictive by the DEA. However, Flexeril can be detected in blood, hair, saliva, and urine if targeted in a specific toxicology test.

Urine tests

Flexeril shows up most consistently and for the longest in urine testing. Flexeril can be detectable in urine between 5 and 13 days after last use.

Blood tests

Blood testing for Flexeril is extremely rare as the substance is only detectable up to 4 hours after last use.

Saliva tests

Flexeril and other cyclobenzaprine-based drugs are not detectable in saliva.

Hair tests

Hair follicle testing is often able to show precisely when drugs were taken up to 90 days after last use. However, in the case of Flexeril, hair tests can only pinpoint use up to three days after the last use.

When will Flexeril be out of your system?

The length of time a drug is in your system depends on its half-life, that is how long it takes for half of the drug to be processed and absorbed into the body.

Flexeril has a relatively long half-life of between 1 and 3 days. As a rough estimate, it usually takes 5.5 days multiplied bu the half-life of the drug for it to be fully out of your system. This puts Flexeril between 5.5 days and 16.5 days for it to be eliminated from the system.

Read here to see how long other substances stay in your system.

Factors that affect how long Flexeril stays in your system

Many factors can influence the detection rate in a toxicology test, and these can vary from person to person.

Factors that influence Flexeril detection rates include:

  • Length of time the drug was used for
  • Quantity of the drug used
  • Purity of the drug (not applicable to cyclobenzaprine)
  • Whether other substances were taken (such as alcohol or benzos)
  • Body mass index (BMI)
  • Gender
  • Age (elderly people take longer to metabolize substances)
  • Metabolism
  • Pre-existing medical conditions (especially those involving liver function or kidney function)
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Resources:

  1. How long does Flexeril stay in your system? Retrieved from on Jan 11, 2022.

Activity History - Last updated: 25 November 2024, Published date:


Reviewer

Dr. Wiegmann is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Chicago. He is also trained in general surgery and prides himself on treating the "whole" patient: body, mind, and soul. His medical expertise is wide ranging and he has extensive experience working with patients with active substance abuse issues and those in recovery. He is also an expert in performing, evaluating, and interpreting high-quality scientific studies and received a masters degree in clinical research on top of his medical degree. He is passionate about helping his patients work through whatever substance abuse issues they may be facing.

Activity History - Medically Reviewed on 20 November 2024 and last checked on 25 November 2024

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Aaron Wiegmann

Dr. Aaron Wiegmann

MD, MS

Reviewer

Recovered Branding BG
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