Both muscle relaxers and alcohol depress or inhibit activity in the central nervous system (CNS). flexeril and drinking This combined impact can lead to numerous risks, and under no circumstances should they ever be taken together. The risk of addiction is further heightened when considering the potential for overdose. The side effects of a Flexeril overdose include cardiac arrest, dangerously low blood pressure, seizures, central nervous system depression, heart attack, and even death.
What Are the Risks of Drinking while on Flexeril?
While alcohol is more likely to cause physiological dependence, using it with Flexeril can increase the potential for dependence on either or both substances. Flexeril is typically offered to people who are experiencing muscle spasms or suffer from musculoskeletal pain. The drug acts as a sedative to alleviate the symptoms, which can cause mild to moderate drowsiness. It’s recommended that you wait at least 24 hours from the time you have had the drug before you consume any amount of alcohol. Best case scenario is that you refrain from drinking alcohol entirely while you’re taking Flexeril. It is possible to overdose on cyclobenzaprine, and this substance can be deadly when combined with alcohol.
Mixing Alcohol and Muscle Relaxers
People frequently consider 12-step programs or 28-day inpatient rehab when asked how alcoholism is treated, but they might struggle to name other choices. Several therapy options are now accessible due to considerable advancements made in the industry over the previous 60 years. High-Intensity Drinking is a new trend discovered by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Alcohol consumption “at levels that are two or more times the gender-specific binge drinking thresholds” is included in the definition of high-intensity drinking (HID). Cyclobenzaprine interactions with alcohol can also affect the central nervous system, leading to confusion, disorientation, and memory problems.
What are Muscle Relaxers?
- Suppose you take cyclobenzaprine for muscle spasms or other conditions and question its interaction with alcohol.
- It is possible to overdose on alcohol and Flexeril, either together or separately, and taking them together greatly increases the chances that you will.
- The medicine may also be prescribed to treat back or neck pain, usually for only two to three weeks.
It typically comes in the form of a pill taken orally and is often combined with physical therapy and rest. Alcohol is also a central nervous system depressant, and when mixed with Flexeril, it can lead to a range of adverse effects. Both substances work to slow down brain activity, heart rate, and breathing rate, and can cause drowsiness and impaired coordination. Flexeril, or cyclobenzaprine, is a muscle relaxant medication used to treat muscle spasms and musculoskeletal pain. As a central nervous system depressant, it acts on the brain to achieve its muscle-relaxing effects. Cyclobenzaprine alcohol interactions can cause respiratory depression, liver damage, and toxicity.
This is particularly concerning given that alcohol is the most widely abused substance in the United States. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 15.2% of people who start drinking by the age of 14 will go on to develop a substance use disorder later in life. Furthermore, Flexeril and alcohol can be addictive if misused or abused, and their combined use increases the likelihood of developing a substance use disorder. Abruptly stopping the use of either substance can lead to withdrawal symptoms, and the development of dependence or addiction. Moreover, mixing Flexeril and alcohol can also increase the risk of liver damage and toxicity, especially with long-term or high-dose use.
- Abruptly stopping the use of either substance can lead to withdrawal symptoms, and the development of dependence or addiction.
- Treatment programs can be in-patient treatment programs, such as residential treatment or outpatient treatments, which allow you to come and go during the duration of your program.
- The side effects of Flexeril include drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, headaches, and dry mouth.
- In this blog, we cover what happens when you combine alcohol and muscle relaxers and why you should never mix these two substances together.
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.
Our approach to client care encompasses mind, body,
Engaging in polysubstance abuse (taking more than one drug at a time) happens for many reasons. Some people mix substances to amplify the effects of one or both drugs, while others do it to offset the negative side effects of another. Still, others mistakenly believe that combining drugs will somehow make them safer. While the short-term effects of mixing these two substances together are serious, the long-term effects are even more concerning. As with any substance, a significant risk is posed by continually ingesting a drug. Since we have covered the effects of muscle relaxers, it is also important to understand the effects of alcohol.
Flexeril and alcohol interaction can lead to drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination, increasing the risk of accidents and falls. These risks can be increased with higher doses of cyclobenzaprine, such as with cyclobenzaprine 10 mg and alcohol. It is recommended to wait at least 24 hours after taking cyclobenzaprine before drinking alcohol. Alcohol and cyclobenzaprine should never be taken together as they can interact and cause harmful effects.
Men are three times as likely as women to die as a consequence of alcohol abuse. This is when a drug—usually prescription—has a reaction to another drug, food, or beverage and a change in pharmacokinetics occurs. This is seen with combinations of drugs such as sedatives and antihistamines, which both can cause extreme drowsiness making it impossible to operate a vehicle. The ability of these drugs to depress the central nervous system can lead to the inability to think clearly. Individuals may experience impaired judgment, dangerous mood swings, and even aggressive behaviors. If you are taking Flexeril, it is important to avoid alcohol completely or at least limit your alcohol consumption to reduce the risk of harmful interactions.
During your detoxification, you may be provided with other drugs to alleviate withdrawal symptoms as well as fluids to maintain you hydrated. The attentive medical and addiction treatment teams will assist you through this physically and mentally demanding period. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), six people every day die from alcohol poisoning in the U.S. A lethal overdose can be triggered by mixing cyclobenzaprine with another central nervous system depressant drug such as alcohol. While it is possible to become addicted to cyclobenzaprine, addiction is more likely when the drug is abused with alcohol.
The half-life of Flexeril (that is, how long it takes for half of it to be eliminated from your system) is anywhere between 8 to 37 hours. Reframe supports you in reducing alcohol consumption and enhancing your well-being. You’ll meet hundreds of fellow Reframers in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings. Receive encouragement from people worldwide who know exactly what you’re going through! You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our licensed Reframe coaches for more personalized guidance.
Alcohol consumption can interfere with the effectiveness of Flexeril by intensifying its side effects and increasing the risk of harmful interactions. It is important to avoid alcohol completely while taking Flexeril to ensure the medication works as intended. No, it is not safe to drive or operate machinery after consuming alcohol while taking Flexeril.
As your body starts eliminating both substances and all other toxins from it, you will likely experience withdrawal symptoms. Some of these may be mild, like sweating and achiness, and others more intense, such as vomiting and tremors. People tend to mix alcohol and other substances for the combined effect of euphoria or disassociation. A person can self-medicate and become addicted if their patterns don’t change.
