Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant that is commonly prescribed to treat muscle spasms and pain. When combined with alcohol, cyclobenzaprine can increase the sedative effects of the drug, leading to drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination. Additionally, both cyclobenzaprine and alcohol can have depressant effects on the central nervous system, which can be dangerous when taken together.
Concerns With Xifaxan For SIBO Treatment Not Being Covered
Withdrawal from alcohol can be a medically significant event, and adding another CNS depressant can increase the risk of severe complications. At oral doses of up to 10 times the human dose, cyclobenzaprine did not adversely affect the reproductive performance or fertility of male or female rats. Cyclobenzaprine did not demonstrate mutagenic activity in the male mouse at dose levels of up to 20 times the human dose. In a pharmacokinetic study of 16 subjects with hepatic impairment (15 mild, 1 moderate per Child-Pugh score), both AUC and C maxwere approximately double the values seen in the healthy control group. Based on the findings, cyclobenzaprine should be used with caution in subjects with mild hepatic impairment starting with the 5 mg dose and titrating slowly upward. Due to the lack of data in subjects with more severe hepatic insufficiency, the use of cyclobenzaprine in subjects with moderate to severe impairment is not recommended.
What are the Risks of Alcohol and Cyclobenzaprine Interaction?
Dr. Brian has been practicing pharmacy for over 13 years and has wide-ranging experiences in many different areas of the profession. From retail, clinical, program development, and administrative responsibilities, he’s your knowledgeable and go-to source for all your pharmacy and medication-related questions! Dr. Brian Staiger also has herbalist training and educational certificates in the field of medical ethnobotany.Feel free to send him an email at email protected!
Trazodone vs. Zoloft—Which Drug To Choose for Sleep?
The efficacy of cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride 5 mg was demonstrated in two 7-day, double-blind, controlled clinical trials enrolling 1,405 patients. One study compared cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride 5 mg and 10 mg t.i.d. to placebo; and a second study compared cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride 5 mg and 2.5 mg t.i.d. to placebo. Primary endpoints for both trials were determined by patient-generated data and included global impression of change, medication helpfulness, and relief from starting backache. Each endpoint consisted of a score on a 5-point rating scale (from 0 or worst outcome to 4 or best outcome). Secondary endpoints included a physician’s evaluation of the presence and extent of palpable muscle spasm. The incidence of drowsiness, the most frequent adverse reaction, was similar with both drugs.
The acute oral LD 50of cyclobenzaprine is approximately 338 and 425 mg/kg in mice and rats, respectively. Cyclobenzaprine caused slight to moderate increase in heart rate in animals. It treats muscle spasms from certain musculoskeletal conditions, usually with sudden onset.
- This allows the medication to get eliminated from your system, reducing the risk of interaction.
- Given the reduction in the degree of mental alertness that accompanies using alcohol and Flexeril together, it is strongly advised that patients who do this do not drive or operate heavy machinery.
- There are 447 drug interactions with Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine).
- Since you might still have cyclobenzaprine in your system, you will feel the effects of the alcohol after a fewer number of drinks and more intensely than drinking with no cyclobenzaprine in your system.
Chemical dependence occurs when you stop taking the drug and/or alcohol abruptly and experience withdrawal symptoms. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) notes that dependence can happen with chronic use of any drug, even when they are taken as prescribed. Dependence does not necessarily mean you are addicted to cyclobenzaprine and/or alcohol. However, the more these two substances are abused, the more likely you will become addicted to them. Reproduction studies have been performed in rats, mice and rabbits at doses up to 20 times the human dose, and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to cyclobenzaprine. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
Serotonin syndrome is when there is too much of a substance called serotonin in your body. Cyclobenzaprine can cause serotonin syndrome when it is taken alone or with other medicines that affect serotonin. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of serotonin syndrome. Cyclobenzaprine is commonly used to treat muscle spasms from an injury or problem that causes muscle or joint pain.
Animal studies indicate that cyclobenzaprine does not act at the neuromuscular junction or directly on skeletal muscle. Evidence suggests that the net effect of cyclobenzaprine is a reduction of tonic somatic motor activity, influencing both gamma (γ) and alpha (α) motor systems. Treatment for cyclobenzaprine and alcohol abuse can be done simultaneously or separately. However, treatment can affect people differently, so it’s best to find the right treatment option for you. This is because both substances depress the central nervous system (CNS). Cyclobenzaprine is sold under the brand name Flexeril, among others.
Keep in mind that it can take several half-lives for the drug to leave your system completely. Cyclobenzaprine is usually only taken for short periods of time (usually less than two or three weeks). Check with your healthcare provider to see how long you should take cyclobenzaprine.
Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medication affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Despite its benefits for addressing sleep issues, you should use cyclobenzaprine under the guidance of a healthcare professional—particularly one specializing in sleep medicine. However, specialists in this field are extremely rare in the U.S., with only about 1% of doctors specializing in sleep medicine. This scarcity underscores the value of online performance medicine clinics like Kick, which provide easy access to expert advice and personalized solutions for sleep-related issues. Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
Our experts will help you create an addiction treatment program that suits your needs. It is generally not recommended to consume alcohol while taking cyclobenzaprine due to the increased risk of adverse effects and diminished functioning caused by their combined use. Cyclobenzaprine is a medication that relaxes your muscles, which reduces muscle stiffness. You can take this medication by mouth with a glass of water. Cyclobenzaprine may increase your risk of certain effects on the heart, such as raising your heart rate or causing an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia).
- However, the more these two substances are abused, the more likely you will become addicted to them.
- Furthermore, the side-effects of cyclobenzaprine include dizziness, drowsiness and a reduced ability to maintain concentration can also get worse.
- Taking Flexeril with alcohol or consuming alcohol when on Flexeril can have certain side-effects.
- Polydrug use often includes a strong component of psychological therapy.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?
Aftercare – Aftercare was created because many people often need more support once they have completed substance use treatment. Delphi’s Aftercare program gives you your own support network that understands what you’ve been through. It also offers you help with any other needs you may have, like housing, legal, and financial. There were 15,597,385 prescriptions written for cyclobenzaprine in 2019, representing 44 percent of the share of muscle relaxant prescriptions, according to Clinicalc.
Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Eight double-blind controlled clinical studies were performed in 642 patients comparing cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride 10 mg, diazepam, and placebo. Muscle spasm, local pain and tenderness, limitation of motion, and restriction in activities of daily living were evaluated. In three of these studies there was a significantly greater improvement with cyclobenzaprine than with diazepam, while in the other studies the improvement following both treatments was cyclobenzaprine 10 mg with alcohol comparable.
Can I resume drinking alcohol once I have finished my cyclobenzaprine prescription?
If you’re taking a muscle relaxer, you should avoid consuming alcohol. Read on to learn more about muscle relaxers and why they don’t mix with alcohol. As we know, alcohol can be notoriously addictive since it affects the brain’s levels of dopamine, a “reward” neurotransmitter involved in pleasure-seeking behavior. Dopamine gets released through activities that make us feel good (delicious food, good company, a date that ends well — you get the picture).
But there is one muscle relaxer called baclofen that some experts believe might help with alcohol withdrawal. Drinking on muscle relaxers in general can have dangerous effects, such as excessive drowsiness. Many are also processed by the liver, which adds to the risk. If you’ve ever gotten a painful muscle spasm, you know it’s no joke.