Can You Use Weed If You Take Cyclobenzaprine, AKA Flexeril?

cyclobenzaprine container and tablets with weed chunk

Table of contents

  1. What Is Cyclobenzaprine?
  2. Uses and How It Works
  3. Potential Benefits and Risks of Mixing Cannabis and Cyclobenzaprine
  4. The Bottom Line
  5. Frequently Asked Questions

Using cannabis with cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, impaired thinking, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Common side effects of cyclobenzaprine include headache, tiredness, dizziness, and dry mouth, and these adverse effects may increase in likelihood and severity by using cannabis.

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What Is Cyclobenzaprine?

Cyclobenzaprine is the generic name for Flexeril and Amrix. Cyclobenzaprine is in a class of medications called “skeletal muscle relaxants.”

Uses and How It Works

Cyclobenzaprine is an oral prescription medication used for muscle spasms from musculoskeletal conditions of sudden onset. It is often used with rest, physical therapy, and other measures to relax muscles and relieve pain and discomfort caused by strains, sprains, and other muscle injuries. Cyclobenzaprine is not valuable for cerebral palsy.

Potential Benefits and Risks of Mixing Cannabis and Cyclobenzaprine

Potential Benefits

Potential Risks

  • Cyclobenzaprine can have sedative effects that are increased when combined with cannabis.
  • Dizziness, fatigue, and dry mouth may also exacerbate concurrent cannabis and cyclobenzaprine use.

The Bottom Line

Although mixing cannabis and cyclobenzaprine may not be deadly, using both together may increase the risk of suffering from adverse side effects such as headache, extreme tiredness, dizziness, loss of balance, and dry mouth. Those using both may need to reduce either their cannabis or their cyclobenzaprine use, and speaking to a doctor about this is the best option.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens when you mix weed and muscle relaxers?

There are various kinds of muscle relaxants. Cyclobenzaprine is one. Others include benzodiazepine-based ones such as diazepam (Valium), which, when combined with cannabis, can cause central nervous system (CNS) depression. This can result in slowed and reduced breathing, extreme sedation, and, in some cases, coma or even death.

What should you not take with muscle relaxers?

You should not take the following with muscle relaxers like cyclobenzaprine:

  • Central nervous system depressants (e.g., alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, nonbenzodiazepines, phenothiazines, carbamates, barbiturates, significant tranquilizers).
  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) taken within two weeks of cyclobenzaprine may result in severe and life-threatening side effects.

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Article written by

Dipak HemrajHead of Research and Education

Dipak Hemraj is a published author, grower, product maker, and Leafwell’s resident cannabis expert. From botany and horticulture to culture and economics, he wishes to help educate the public on why cannabis is medicine (or a “pharmacy in a plant”) and how it can be used to treat a plethora of health problems. Dipak wants to unlock the power of the plant, and see if there are specific cannabinoid-terpene-flavonoid profiles suitable for different conditions.

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