Can You Take Flexeril With Tylenol?
In our latest question and answer, Dr. Brian Staiger discusses whether or not it is safe to combine Tylenol and Flexeril.
I take Tylenol to help with my arthritis. I also take the muscle relaxant Flexeril. Are they safe to combine?
Dec 21, 2022- There is no known interaction between Tylenol and Flexeril, and they are considered safe to use together.
- Tylenol works as a pain reliever and fever reducer while Flexeril is a muscle relaxer that works differently in the body.
- These medications are often combined because they treat different types of pain and don't share similar side effects.
Answer
There is no known interaction between Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine). They are considered safe to use together.
In fact, it's not uncommon that these drugs are combined. They both work differently to treat different types of pain.
Tylenol is an over-the-counter pain-reliever and fever reducer. It is best suited to treat minor aches and pain, and, of course, can help bring a temperature down if you have a fever. It is also a first-line recommended pain reliever for osteoarthritis, which you mentioned is a condition you have.
Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) on the other hand, is classified as a muscle relaxer. While Tylenol is thought to work by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, Flexeril relieves muscle spasms at the brain stem level, and may also affect certain motor neurons and neurotransmitters, like serotonin, as well.
As mentioned, Flexeril and Tylenol are considered safe to use together. Their combined use won't affect either drug and they don't share similar side effects, for the most part.
Final Words
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Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Acetaminophen
- An over-the-counter medication used to relieve pain and reduce fever.
- Cyclobenzaprine
- A prescription muscle relaxer medication that reduces muscle spasms.
- Muscle relaxer
- A type of medication that reduces tension and spasms in muscles.
- Cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes
- Proteins in the body that pain relievers like acetaminophen work to block.
- Muscle spasms
- Involuntary, sudden tightening of muscles that can cause pain or discomfort.
- Brain stem
- The lower part of the brain that controls basic body functions and connects to the spinal cord.
- Motor neurons
- Nerve cells that carry signals from the brain to muscles to control movement.
- Serotonin
- A chemical messenger in the brain that affects mood, pain perception, and muscle function.
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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