From the Guidelines
I strongly advise against taking oxy and Flexeril together without medical supervision. The combination of these medications can lead to severe interactions, particularly increased central nervous system depression, as noted in a 2020 clinical policy published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine 1. Both oxy and Flexeril slow brain activity, and when taken together, can cause excessive sedation, respiratory depression, confusion, dizziness, and impaired coordination. This combination significantly increases the risk of serious side effects, including potentially life-threatening respiratory suppression.
Some key points to consider when evaluating the safety of combining oxy and Flexeril include:
- The substantial potentiation of opioid-related respiratory depression when taken in combination with centrally acting muscle relaxants/sedative-hypnotics, such as benzodiazepines, as highlighted in the 2020 clinical policy 1.
- The increased risk of death when opioids and sedative-hypnotics/muscle relaxers are co-prescribed, with rates of death 3- to 10-fold higher compared to opioids alone, as reported in population-based studies examining prescribing patterns and overdose epidemiology 1.
- The lack of demonstrated benefit of combination pharmacotherapy, including opioid with muscle relaxant, for the treatment of acute low back pain, and the potential increased risk of patient harm associated with co-prescribing muscle relaxants, as suggested by recent meta-analyses 1.
If you're experiencing pain and muscle spasms that might require both medications, it's essential to consult your healthcare provider first. They can:
- Adjust dosages to minimize the risk of adverse interactions
- Recommend staggered timing to reduce the potential for excessive sedation and respiratory depression
- Suggest alternative treatments to manage your symptoms safely, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other analgesics
- Create a personalized treatment plan based on your specific medical history, current medications, and health conditions. Never combine these medications on your own or adjust dosages without professional guidance, as this can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening consequences.
From the Research
Combination of Oxy and Flexeril
There is no direct evidence in the provided studies regarding the combination of oxy (oxycodone) and Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine).
Available Information on Oxycodone Combinations
- The study 2 discusses the combination of oxycodone with other analgesic drugs, such as acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, morphine, gabapentin, or pregabalin, and suggests that these combinations may be safe and effective.
- Another study 3 compares the efficacy of oxycodone/acetaminophen to acetaminophen alone for emergency department patients with musculoskeletal pain refractory to ibuprofen, and finds that oxycodone/acetaminophen results in slightly greater pain relief but with more medication-related adverse events.
Pharmacology of Oxycodone
- The study 4 provides an overview of the pharmacology of oxycodone, its abuse potential, and its development as a therapeutic analgesic, but does not mention the combination of oxycodone with Flexeril.
Conclusion on Available Evidence
There are no research papers in the provided evidence to directly assist in answering the question of taking oxy and Flexeril together.