Is It Safe To Take Wellbutrin And Flexeril Together?

Answer

Thanks for your question! There is a potential interaction between Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) and Wellbutrin (bupropion).

Both are associated with increasing the risk of seizures (specifically, lowering the 'seizure threshold').

Although these drugs have been taken together safely for short periods of time, it is important to know of this potential interaction and they shouldn't be combined if you have a history of seizures, have risk factors for seizures, or are taking additional drugs that increase this risk further.

Wellbutrin And Flexeril Seizure Risk

Both Wellbutrin and Flexeril are associated with increasing the risk of seizures, although to a relatively small degree.

Wellbutrin, on its own, has been reported to cause seizures in about 0.4% of individuals taking the drug and it's been noted that the risk is dose-dependent (i.e. the hight the dose you take, the greater the risk).

Flexeril has also been associated with a seizure risk, but the risk appears to be quite low. In fact, several studies that have reviewed case studies of Flexeril overdoses report that only rarely have seizures been noted as a symptom that occurred. One such study reported the following:

cyclobenzaprine overdoses were not reported to cause widened QRS, ventricular dysrhythmias, or seizures, and hypotension was rarely reported.

It seems most of the association between Flexeril and seizures comes from the fact the drug is closely related to a class of drugs (tricyclic antidepressants) that have a known risk of seizures and that seizures have been seen specifically between Flexeril and a drug called tramadol (this is noted in the prescribing information for Flexeril).

It's almost impossible to say definitively how risky it is to combine Wellbutrin and Flexeril. Since seizures have been reported with both drugs (more definitively with Wellbutrin), any 'drug interaction checker' you find online will likely show some sort of result for these two drugs.

Alternative Options

As mentioned, Flexeril and Wellbutrin have been used together safely, for short periods of time. It is very unlikely that individuals taking Wellbutrin and Flexeril, for short periods of time, at FDA-approved doses, without additional risk factors (such as old age, alcohol use, liver dysfunction, etc...) will have a problem.

Having said this, there are some safer options in regard to muscle relaxants that aren't associated with increasing the risk of seizures, like methocarbamol and orphenadrine. Be sure to talk to your doctor about your options and what makes the most sense for your clinical situation.

Final Words

Thanks again for reaching out and I hope this answer was helpful!