Cyclobenzaprine and Alcohol Can You Drink on Muscle Relaxers? DBH

People may accidentally mix Flexeril with other substances while taking the drug as directed. In addition, some people combine Flexeril with other substances to enhance the outcomes of both substances. The combination of Flexeril and alcohol can be hazardous or even deadly. Alcohol and Flexeril both suppress the central nervous system, and mixing them can enhance one another’s outcomes. This can result in severe sedation or drowsiness, increasing the chance of an accident. Another reason why cyclobenzaprine and alcohol are a dangerous combination?

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• Still, others mistakenly believe that combining drugs will somehow make them safer.
• Besides, the sedation could land us in dangerous waters if our heart and breathing rate slows down too much, causing respiratory depression.
• Although alcohol might initially make people feel more talkative and social as the result of an increase in dopamine, this stimulating effect is misleading and only temporary.
• However, people who have developed a dependence on the drug will likely experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using it.
• But so far, evidence supporting the use of baclofen for alcohol withdrawal is limited.

Can You Mix Muscle Relaxers and Alcohol?

Those most at risk from mixing muscle relaxers and alcohol are those who take muscle relaxers for long-term pain relief or for conditions such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Like most medications, muscle relaxers pose interaction risks, and bringing alcohol into the mix can be dangerous—even lethal. If you’re thinking about mixing these substances, it’s important to understand the risks involved. At New Directions for Women, we want you to be as informed as possible so you can be empowered to live life to the fullest. In this blog, we break down the relationship between muscle relaxers and alcohol and why the two should never be mixed. If you’re taking the medication Flexeril, and drinking alcohol, you ought to be aware of the way these two substances interact.

Additionally, because both muscle relaxers and alcohol are central nervous system depressants, mixing them can lead to a decreased ability to think clearly and make decisions. This can be extremely dangerous, and individuals have reported engaging in risky activities they normally would not have had they been sober. Mixing cyclobenzaprine and alcohol is very dangerous as it can cause life-threatening side effects. If you accidentally ingest both substances within the same window of time, pay attention to how you are feeling. If you begin to experience shallowed breathing, an irregular heart rate, dizziness, or partial unconsciousness, you may be experiencing an overdose.

These can include damage to the liver and kidneys, as well as problems with cognitive function and memory. When this occurs, it means that a continuous muscle spasm is occurring. The rigidity caused by muscle spasticity can even make it hard for some people to walk. This is common in people who have conditions like cerebral palsy or in people who have had an injury to their brain or spinal cord.

When used as directed by a physician, muscle relaxers are generally considered safe. However, when used in combination with alcohol or other drugs, they can have hazardous and sometimes life-threatening effects. People tend to mix alcohol and other substances for the combined effect of euphoria or disassociation.

• Be sure to tell your doctor or PA about all other medications you are taking, as Flexeril can have lethal reactions to other prescriptions.
• Others simply overuse the drug because they have developed a tolerance.
• Both of these substances have also been known to lead to physiological addiction and physical and emotional dependence.
• Alcohol Addiction Center is a free, web-based resource helping to bring education and information to the world of alcohol addiction.

What are the Signs of Someone Abusing Muscle Relaxers?

According to NIH, cyclobenzaprine comes with some fairly typical ones, as well as potentially dangerous ones. If you’ve ever gotten a painful muscle spasm, you know it’s no joke. Those moments can fill you with panic as you try to remember the tricks you’ve heard from your grandmother or read about online. Muscle relaxants are not recommended for use by pregnant women, older adults, or people who have a history of depression or drug or alcohol abuse. There are many types of muscle relaxers, and each type can interact with different drugs. If you have any doubts about whether something will interact with muscle relaxers, talk to your prescriber or pharmacist.

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In the short term, there are many concerning effects of mixing these two drugs. Coordination and motor impairment are among the chief concerns when it comes to the dangers of mixing these two substances. This is because they both can cause lethargy, confusion, and poor coordination. Another concern is the increased risk for overdose due to the sedative effects of both depressants. Muscle relaxers can slow down breathing, and when combined with alcohol, this effect is amplified. This can lead to difficulty breathing or even stopped breathing, which can be fatal.

Both substances are processed by the liver, which is already in danger of becoming overwhelmed by alcohol alone. Adding another burdensome to-do list item to its task list is asking for trouble. This last set of effects is the main reason mixing the two is not recommended, since it increases the chances of having a dangerous fall or another accident. Besides, the sedation could land us in dangerous waters if our heart and breathing rate slows down too much, causing respiratory depression. But there is one muscle relaxer called baclofen that some experts believe might help with alcohol withdrawal. If you’re taking a muscle relaxer, you should avoid consuming alcohol.

Why Cyclobenzaprine and Alcohol Don’t Mix

Even when the two substances are used separately, they can slow a person’s reaction time and impair their perception, decision-making abilities, and cognition. Women are 11% more likely than men to be prescribed medication, but men are 22.9% more likely to misuse prescriptions. Both men and women are most likely to use pain relievers, with 32.5% more men than women using—14.4% of adults aged 18 to 25 abuse prescription drugs annually. More than 80 percent of older patients (ages 57 to 85 years) use at least one prescription medication on a daily basis. Worldwide, up to 3.3 million people die every year as a result of alcohol abuse.

To Counter Side Effects

It’s generally advised to avoid this combination or consult a healthcare provider to understand specific risks. Most people who are prescribed Flexeril suffer from muscle spasms that are a direct side effect of central nervous system disorders and diseases, including cerebral palsy. Other individuals who use Flexeril and the generic counterpart often suffer from back pain or neck pain. However, the effects of taking Flexeril will last a relatively long time.

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Always ask your healthcare provider what not to take with Benadryl before taking this medicine. Children, people age 65 and older, and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a provider before taking Benadryl. When taking Benadryl, avoid using other products containing diphenhydramine as well, as it can be life-threatening. All these drugs have a common side effect of drowsiness or sedation. Consuming a small amount of alcohol with Benadryl can enhance sleepiness or drowsiness effects, potentially interfering with your day-to-day activities.

Typically, it is used with rest and physical therapy to treat muscle conditions like pain or injury. It is known for its sedative effects on the central nervous system. Alcohol should be avoided if you are under treatment with a centrally-acting muscle relaxant (like cyclobenzaprine, baclofen, methocarbamol or tizanidine). When muscle relaxants are combined with alcohol (ethanol), side effects such as drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, and errors in judgement can occur. Driving or other hazardous activities may be more dangerous and should be avoided.

Don’t worry, we are in network with over 100 insurances nationwide. Dependency on alcohol may be caused by using it to seek relief from stress or as a means to cope with emotional issues. If there is a family history of alcohol abuse, then there is a greater chance of developing a reliance on alcohol.