Skip to Content
Looking to save on your medications?  Find out how 

7 Interactions found for:

Flexeril and Xanax
Interactions Summary
  • 2 Major
  • 3 Moderate
  • 2 Minor
  • Flexeril
  • Xanax

Drug Interactions

Moderate
Xanax + Flexeril

The following applies to the ingredients: Alprazolam (found in Xanax) and Cyclobenzaprine (found in Flexeril)

Using ALPRAZolam together with cyclobenzaprine may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Drug and Food Interactions

Moderate
Xanax + Food

The following applies to the ingredients: Alprazolam (found in Xanax)

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with ALPRAZolam and lead to potentially dangerous side effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor. Do not drink alcohol while taking ALPRAZolam. This medication can increase the effects of alcohol. You may feel more drowsy, dizzy, or tired if you take ALPRAZolam with alcohol. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.

Moderate
Flexeril + Food

The following applies to the ingredients: Cyclobenzaprine (found in Flexeril)

Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of cyclobenzaprine such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with cyclobenzaprine. Do not use more than the recommended dose of cyclobenzaprine, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.

Drug and Pregnancy Interactions

The following applies to the ingredients: Alprazolam (found in Xanax)

Professional Content

This drug is only recommended for use during pregnancy when there are no alternatives and the benefit outweighs the risk, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy.

AU TGA pregnancy category: C
US FDA pregnancy category: Not assigned.

Risk Summary: Use may be associated with an increased risk of congenital malformations. There are no adequate studies of this drug in pregnant women to inform a drug-related risk.

Comments:
-The child born to a mother taking benzodiazepines may be at risk for withdrawal symptoms.
-Benzodiazepines may cause fetal harm when administered during pregnancy.
-The patient should be warned of the potential risks to the fetus and instructed to discontinue the drug prior to becoming pregnant.
-A pregnancy exposure registry is available.

Several studies have suggested an increased risk of congenital malformations associated with the use of minor tranquilizers (i.e., chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, meprobamate) during the first trimester of pregnancy. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy.

To monitor maternal-fetal outcome of pregnant women exposed to antiepileptic drugs, the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry has been established. Healthcare providers are encouraged to prospectively register patients. For additional information: http://www.aedpregnancyregistry.org/

AU TGA pregnancy category C: Drugs which, owing to their pharmacological effects, have caused or may be suspected of causing, harmful effects on the human fetus or neonate without causing malformations. These effects may be reversible. Accompanying texts should be consulted for further details.

US FDA pregnancy category Not Assigned: The US FDA has amended the pregnancy labeling rule for prescription drug products to require labeling that includes a summary of risk, a discussion of the data supporting that summary, and relevant information to help health care providers make prescribing decisions and counsel women about the use of drugs during pregnancy. Pregnancy categories A, B, C, D, and X are being phased out.

References

  1. "Product Information. Xanax (alprazolam)." Pharmacia and Upjohn PROD (2002):
  2. "Product Information. Niravam (alprazolam)." Schwarz Pharma (2005):
  3. "Product Information. Xanax XR (alprazolam)." Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals Group (2005):
  4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
  5. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0

The following applies to the ingredients: Cyclobenzaprine (found in Flexeril)

Professional Content

This drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

US FDA pregnancy category: B

Embryofetal development in rats and rabbits given approximately 3 and 15 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) was not adversely effected. Dams receiving this drug at doses 3 times or more the MRHD during pregnancy and lactation, had pups with decreased body weight and survival. There are no adequate and controlled studies in pregnant women.

US FDA pregnancy category B: Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
adversely

References

  1. "Product Information. Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine)." Merck & Co., Inc PROD (2001):
  2. "Product Information. Amrix (cyclobenzaprine)." A-S Medication Solutions (2016):

Drug and Breastfeeding Interactions

The following applies to the ingredients: Alprazolam (found in Xanax)

Professional Content

Use is not recommended.
-Some experts recommend: A decision should be made to discontinue breastfeeding or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Excreted into human milk: Yes

Comments:
-The American Academy of Pediatrics considers this agent a drug for which the effect on nursing infants is unknown but may be of concern.
-Chronic administration of diazepam to nursing mothers has been reported to cause their infants to become lethargic and to lose weight.

References

  1. "Product Information. Xanax (alprazolam)." Pharmacia and Upjohn PROD (2002):
  2. "Product Information. Niravam (alprazolam)." Schwarz Pharma (2005):
  3. "Product Information. Xanax XR (alprazolam)." Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals Group (2005):
  4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
  5. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
  6. United States National Library of Medicine "Toxnet. Toxicology Data Network. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT" (2013):
  7. Briggs GG, Freeman RK. "Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation." Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health (2015):

The following applies to the ingredients: Cyclobenzaprine (found in Flexeril)

Professional Content

Caution is recommended.

Excreted into human milk: Unknown
Excreted into animal milk: Yes

The effects in the nursing infant are unknown.

This drug has been shown to be excreted in rat milk and achieve concentrations in the milk which are 50% of those in the rat maternal plasma. As this drug is closely related to the tricyclic antidepressants, some of which are known to be excreted in human milk, use caution especially when other drugs that cause sedation are used simultaneously.

References

  1. Hucker HB, Stauffer SC, Balletto AJ, White SD, Zacchei AG, Arison BH "Physiological disposition and metabolism of cyclobenzaprine in the rat, dog, rhesus monkey, and man." Drug Metab Dispos 6 (1978): 659-72
  2. "Product Information. Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine)." Merck & Co., Inc PROD (2001):
  3. "Product Information. Amrix (cyclobenzaprine)." A-S Medication Solutions (2016):

Therapeutic Duplication Warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.

Switch to: Professional Interactions

Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Disclaimer: This content should not be considered complete and should not be used in place of a call or visit to a healthcare professional. Use of this content is subject to our terms of use & medical disclaimer.