Concern With Taking Flexeril And Gabapentin Together
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist addresses a concern a reader has with taking Flexeril and gabapentin together.
I have just been prescribed Flexeril and Gabapentin, but I don't know how to take them. The Flexeril is 5mg three times a day, and the Gabapentin is every 8 hours. I woke up this morning at 6 and took the first Flexeril, but then three hours later, I realized it was time for the second one. I decided to wait until nighttime to take the Gabapentin. Please help. I need to learn how to do this right.
Mar 31, 2024- Both Flexeril and gabapentin are CNS depressants that can cause drowsiness, muscle weakness, confusion, and other side effects, and taking them together may increase these risks.
- Flexeril is typically taken on an as-needed basis rather than consistently every 8 hours, so confirm your dosing schedule with your doctor.
- Your doctor is the best source to determine how to safely take these medications together, whether that means taking them at the same time or separating them by a few hours.
Answer
Thank you for reaching out!
I understand your concern about being prescribed both gabapentin and Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) and how to take them safely.
Watch For Additive Side Effects
It's not uncommon for Flexeril and gabapentin to be prescribed together. However, it's important to be aware of the potential drug interaction between them due to their side effect profile.
Both drugs are CNS depressants, which means they can cause effects like muscle weakness, confusion, drowsiness, and respiratory depression. Using these drugs together may increase the risks associated with CNS depression, so caution is warranted.
How to Take Them Together
You mentioned your concern about how to take them both safely during the day, as both are prescribed to be taken every 8 hours (Flexeril three times daily is essentially the same as every 8 hours).
Firstly, double-check if these drugs, especially Flexeril, are supposed to be taken every 8 hours consistently. In most cases, Flexeril should be taken only on an as-needed basis every 8 hours. This means taking the drug only if you need it, and separating doses by at least 8 hours.
If you are taking gabapentin and Flexeril on the same day, how you do so is up to you and your doctor. You can take them at the same time, but be cautious of potential additive side effects (such as sedation).
You could also separate their intake by a few hours. However, it's still likely you will experience some additive side effects, albeit possibly to a lesser degree.
Having said all of this, there is no definitive recommendation on how to take Flexeril and gabapentin on the same day. It's best to speak with your doctor about what will work best for you and your medication regimen.
In my opinion, if you are supposed to take both drugs consistently, I'd start at low doses of each, assess your tolerability, and then increase to your target dose. Separating the intake of both drugs by a few hours may help somewhat with the side effects, but there is still a risk. Again, talk to your doctor about what is best for you.
Final Thoughts
I hope this information is helpful. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- CNS depressants
- Medications that slow down brain and nervous system activity, potentially causing drowsiness and reduced alertness.
- Gabapentin
- A medication used to treat nerve pain and certain types of seizures.
- Flexeril
- A muscle relaxer medication used to reduce muscle spasms and pain.
- Cyclobenzaprine
- The generic name for Flexeril, a muscle relaxant drug.
- Drug interaction
- When two medications affect each other's actions or increase the risk of side effects when taken together.
- Additive side effects
- When taking two medications together causes combined or worsened side effects beyond what either drug would cause alone.
- Respiratory depression
- A condition where breathing becomes shallow or slowed, reducing the amount of oxygen the body receives.
- Sedation
- A state of reduced alertness or drowsiness caused by medication or other factors.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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