Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine) And Alcohol

Flexeril is cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride. It is a drug that is used in the treatment of acute musculoskeletal disorders that are characterised by spasm of the muscles. It is commonly prescribed in doses of 5 mg and 10 mg given over a period of 2 to 3 weeks depending upon the clinical requirement of the patient.

Ideally, as is the case with all medication, Flexeril should be taken with water. Unfortunately, many people lead a lifestyle where alcohol forms a big part of it. Taking Flexeril with alcohol or consuming alcohol when on Flexeril can have certain side-effects. In this article, we shall briefly review the interaction between Flexeril and alcohol.

The effects of alcohol

As we all know very well, alcohol has an inebriating effect on the human mind. In other words, it can cause clouding of consciousness, cognitive impairment and poor judgement especially when consumed in large quantities.

When taking cyclobenzaprine and alcohol together, the effects of alcohol can be potentiated significantly. Furthermore, the side-effects of cyclobenzaprine include dizziness, drowsiness and a reduced ability to maintain concentration can also get worse. The ability of an individual to think can also become impaired. Alterations in judgement capacity have also been noted.

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. Doing so places them at risk of suffering an accident of some kind which could be fatal.

In addition to the above common side-effects that patients experience when taking both alcohol and cyclobenzaprine, additional effects such as difficulty passing urine, vertigo and dry mouth are commonly seen. These can become rather troublesome to the patient and can in fact significantly impact their quality of life.

It is of extreme importance that all patients who take Flexeril do so only on prescription by a healthcare professional. This is because there is a larger side-effect profile that is associated with the use of Flexeril which both the patients and the doctor must be aware of and keep an eye out for. These side-effects can only get worse if the drug is consumed with alcohol.

Flexeril is a commonly prescribed drug in the management of acute musculoskeletal spastic disorders. It is ideally taken in the dose of 5 mg or 10 mg (depending upon the clinical condition) along with water. Taking Flexeril with alcohol can increase the side-effect profile of the drug and can be detrimental to patient’s health.