This article describes possible interactions with cyclobenzaprine oral tablet. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
To find coupon options for cyclobenzaprine and to learn more about the drug, including its uses, see this article.
Cyclobenzaprine comes as tablets and capsules that you’ll swallow. Interactions of cyclobenzaprine may vary depending on the form of cyclobenzaprine you’re prescribed.
Other drugs and cyclobenzaprine
Before taking cyclobenzaprine oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription, over-the-counter, or other drugs you take. Doing so may help prevent possible interactions. If you’re concerned about possible interactions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Drugs that may interact with cyclobenzaprine oral tablet are listed below. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with cyclobenzaprine.
Drugs that may interact with cyclobenzaprine oral tablet include:
- opioids:*
- anticholinergics:
- drug examples: benztropine and tolterodine (Detrol, Detrol LA)
- what might happen: an increased risk of side effects from cyclobenzaprine and anticholinergics
- benzodiazepines:
- drug examples: diazepam (Valium, Valtoco, others) and alprazolam (Xanax, Xanax XR)
- what might happen: an increased risk of side effects from cyclobenzaprine and benzodiazepines
- certain antihistamines:
- drug examples: diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and cetirizine (Zyrtec)
- what might happen: an increased risk of side effects from cyclobenzaprine and antihistamines
- certain antidepressants, including monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs):†
- drug examples: phenelzine (Nardil) and sertraline (Zoloft)
- what might happen: an increased risk of serotonin syndrome (a life threatening, high level of the chemical serotonin in your body) as a side effect of cyclobenzaprine and certain antidepressants
- certain blood pressure medications:
- drug examples: verapamil (Verelan, Verelan PM) and clonidine (Catapres-TTS, Kapvay, Nexiclon XR)
- what might happen: an increased risk of side effects from cyclobenzaprine and certain blood pressure medications, or decreased effectiveness of certain blood pressure medications
- certain seizure drugs:
- drug examples: phenobarbital (Sezaby, Nembutal) and pregabalin (Lyrica)
- what might happen: an increased risk of side effects from cyclobenzaprine and certain seizure drugs
* To learn more about the interaction between cyclobenzaprine and opioids (also called narcotics) see the “Questions about cyclobenzaprine and interactions” section below.
† For details about cyclobenzaprine oral tablet and MAOIs, see the “When to avoid cyclobenzaprine” section below.
Questions about cyclobenzaprine and interactions
Here you’ll find answers to some common questions about cyclobenzaprine and possible interactions.
Can I take cyclobenzaprine 10 mg tablet with a narcotic?
Yes, if your doctor recommends it. “Narcotic” is another name for opioids, which are a group of drugs used to ease pain.
Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet is prescribed to treat muscle spasms, which may be related to a painful condition. For this use, your doctor may prescribe cyclobenzaprine with medications that relieve pain, such as opioids.
That said, there is a known interaction between cyclobenzaprine and opioids. Taking these medications together may lead to sleepiness, low blood pressure, and respiratory depression (slowed, shallow breathing). In extreme cases, these side effects can be life threatening.
Due to this risk, your doctor may only prescribe cyclobenzaprine with an opioid when other pain relievers aren’t strong enough for your condition. If your doctor prescribes these drugs together, they’ll watch you closely for side effects. They may adjust your opioid or cyclobenzaprine dosage to help reduce these risks.
If you have questions about cyclobenzaprine and opioids, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does cyclobenzaprine have different interactions than tizanidine?
Yes, cyclobenzaprine has both different and similar interactions compared with tizanidine (Zanaflex). Both drugs are prescribed to relieve muscle spasms, but they each work differently in your body.
For example, tizanidine should not be taken with the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (Cipro). This drug can increase your risk of severely low blood pressure and other side effects if taken with tizanidine. However, there are no known interactions between ciprofloxacin and cyclobenzaprine.
On the other hand, monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)* drugs should not be taken with cyclobenzaprine. MAOIs include the antidepressant phenelzine (Nardil) and the Parkinson’s disease drug selegiline (Emsam, Zelapar). However, MAOIs are generally considered safe to take with tizanidine.
Some similar interactions that cyclobenzaprine and tizanidine share include opioids,† such as oxycodone (Xtampza ER, Oxaydo, others). They also interact with certain anxiety medications, such as alprazolam (Xanax). Taking these drugs together with cyclobenzaprine or tizanidine can increase the risk for side effects from each drug.
If you have more questions about how the interactions of cyclobenzaprine and tizanidine compare, talk with your doctor.
* For details about cyclobenzaprine oral tablet and MAOIs, see the “When to avoid cyclobenzaprine” section below.
† To learn more about the interaction between cyclobenzaprine and opioids, see “Can I take cyclobenzaprine 10 mg tablet with a narcotic?” just above.
When to avoid cyclobenzaprine
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with cyclobenzaprine oral tablet. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe cyclobenzaprine in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a list of contraindications for cyclobenzaprine oral tablet:
- Certain heart problems. If you have certain heart problems, taking cyclobenzaprine oral tablet may worsen them. These include problems with your heart’s electrical activity, heart failure, and recent heart attack. This is because cyclobenzaprine may cause irregular heart rhythm as a side effect, which could worsen your heart problem.
- Overactive thyroid. If you have an overactive thyroid, taking cyclobenzaprine oral tablet may increase your risk of irregular heart rhythm. This is because both overactive thyroid and cyclobenzaprine may cause irregular heart rhythm. This risk may be greater if you take cyclobenzaprine while you have overactive thyroid.
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). If you take an MAOI, taking cyclobenzaprine oral tablet may cause serotonin syndrome. This condition occurs from a high level of the chemical serotonin in your body and can be life threatening. Serotonin syndrome may occur if you take cyclobenzaprine with an MAOI or within 2 weeks of stopping an MAOI.
- Past allergic reaction to cyclobenzaprine. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to cyclobenzaprine oral tablet in the past, taking cyclobenzaprine oral tablet may cause another allergic reaction.
Before starting treatment with cyclobenzaprine, tell your doctor if anything listed above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should take cyclobenzaprine.
Alcohol and cyclobenzaprine
Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet is known to interact with alcohol.
Taking cyclobenzaprine oral tablet and drinking alcohol may cause:
- dizziness
- sleepiness
- impaired driving ability
- double vision
If you drink alcohol and have concerns about avoiding it during cyclobenzaprine oral tablet treatment, talk with your doctor.
Other interactions and cyclobenzaprine
Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether cyclobenzaprine oral tablet has these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with cyclobenzaprine.
Cyclobenzaprine and supplements
Before taking cyclobenzaprine oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any supplements, herbs, and vitamins you take. Doing so may help you avoid possible interactions.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Cyclobenzaprine interactions with herbs
Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any herbs. But this doesn’t mean interactions with herbs can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during treatment with cyclobenzaprine oral tablet.
Cyclobenzaprine interactions with vitamins
Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during treatment with cyclobenzaprine oral tablet.
Cyclobenzaprine and food
Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with foods. But this doesn’t mean interactions with foods can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid during treatment with cyclobenzaprine oral tablet.
Cyclobenzaprine and vaccines
Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines during treatment with cyclobenzaprine oral tablet.
Cyclobenzaprine and lab tests
Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests during treatment with cyclobenzaprine oral tablet.
Cyclobenzaprine and cannabis or CBD
In studies, cannabis (commonly called marijuana) and cannabis products have been shown to interact with cyclobenzaprine. Cannabidiol (CBD) is an example of a cannabis product.
Taking cyclobenzaprine and cannabis may worsen certain side effects of cyclobenzaprine and cannabis. Examples include dizziness and sleepiness.
Before you take cyclobenzaprine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you use cannabis. Doing so may help prevent possible interactions.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Health factors and cyclobenzaprine
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with cyclobenzaprine oral tablet. Before taking cyclobenzaprine, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether cyclobenzaprine is right for you.
Here’s a list of health conditions or other factors that might interact with cyclobenzaprine oral tablet:
Preventing cyclobenzaprine interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with cyclobenzaprine oral tablet. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Other medications you take, as well as any vitamins, supplements, and herbs. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug during your cyclobenzaprine oral tablet treatment.
Taking cyclobenzaprine exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about cyclobenzaprine and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- Could I still take cyclobenzaprine even if it interacts with a health condition I have?
- Should I tell you if I start taking another medication or supplement during my cyclobenzaprine treatment?
- Does my risk of interactions depend on my dosage of cyclobenzaprine?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
