Learn More: Ten Medications Older Adults Should Avoid or Use with Caution

After all, the muscle relaxant is supposed to be taken short-term only. So, it’s not unheard of for an orthopedic doctor to co-prescribe both drugs in an attempt to give the patient short-term pain relief. Before mixing OTC painkillers with muscle relaxants, you need to evaluate whether this combination yields better results with fewer side effects than a single drug. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist.

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Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. Because of the possibility of higher blood levels in the elderly as compared to younger adults, use of cyclobenzaprine extended-release capsules is not recommended in the elderly. Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of cyclobenzaprine extended-release capsules in the pediatric population.

Co-Prescribing Cyclobenzaprine With Ibuprofen

This page will go over its side effects, drug interactions, and treatment for misuse. Flexeril and Diazepam are both used to treat muscle spasms. They belong to two different drug classes – muscle relaxant and benzodiazepine, respectively. The only salient difference is that Valium has a higher potential to cause drug dependency than Flexeril.

Just remember to talk to your physician before you stop the current prescription and move on to a different treatment plan. For one, a randomized trial proved that cyclobenzaprine alone calms neck and back spasms just as well as a cyclobenzaprine-ibuprofen combination. Sign in to your account to save this drug interaction list. USE WITH CAUTION Aspirin (For certain people – see below) Used to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

• For a thorough understanding of potential side effects, please consult a physician.
• Skelaxin’s most common side effects are drowsiness, dizziness, headache, irritability, nausea, vomiting, and stomach upset.
• Cymbalta belongs to the drug class called selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
• Addiction Resource does not favor or support any specific recovery center, nor do we claim to ensure the quality, validity, or effectiveness of any particular treatment center.
• You should also avoid other NSAIDs if you’re taking ibuprofen.

The way they work is not completely understood, but may be due to central nervous system (CNS) depression and sedative effects. These medications do not act directly on the muscle or nerves. Mixing cocaine and muscle relaxants come with dangerous interactions and side effects.

Is Skelaxin or Flexeril more effective?

In one study published in the British Medical Journal, Valium increases the effects of spasmolytic agents. When combined, these drugs can increase the severity of CNS side effects. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 3 Sep 2023), Cerner Multum™ (updated 28 Aug 2023), ASHP (updated 10 Aug 2023) and others. Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is a muscle relaxant that is used for short-term (2-3 weeks) treatment of muscle spasms along with rest and physical therapy.

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor. Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.

Combining these two can cause extreme dizziness or drowsiness, low blood pressure, or liver damage. Muscle relaxants affect your nervous system, so taking another drug that affects your nervous system such as opioids or psychotropics should flexeril package insert be avoided, according to Healthline. You also don’t want to take St. John’s wort or sleeping medications while on muscle relaxants. Flexeril and ibuprofen can provide a more comprehensive approach to managing back pain when used together.

Flexeril is also a skeletal muscle relaxant—the active ingredient is cyclobenzaprine. Flexeril is no longer available commercially as a brand-name product. Flexeril is only available as its generic, cyclobenzaprine. Cyclobenzaprine is also available in an extended-release form with the brand name of Amrix. Flexeril is used for short-term treatment—the manufacturer’s information recommends that Flexeril should not be taken for more than two or three weeks.

For temporary relief, use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. However, if your mouth continues to feel dry for more than 2 weeks, check with your medical doctor or dentist. Continuing dryness of the mouth may increase the chance of dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease, and fungus infections. JAMA Network Open found that the misuse of muscle relaxants, including cyclobenzaprine, increased significantly during this period. Both cyclobenzaprine and ibuprofen are widely recognized medications that can relieve different types of pain, but they function in distinct ways and target different aspects of discomfort. If someone is trying to find out whether one can take these drugs and ibuprofen together, it is not recommended to mix both of them.