When Can You Drink Alcohol After Taking Flexeril? - HelloPharmacist

1. Home
>
2. Questions
>
3. When Can You Drink Alcohol After Taking Flexeril?

When Can You Drink Alcohol After Taking Flexeril?

In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses when it is safe to drink alcohol after taking the muscle relaxant Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine).

• Facebook
• Email
• Twitter
• Copy Link

Question

How long after taking cyclobenzaprine can someone consume alcohol?

Asked by Bubby On Aug 23, 2022

Answered by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD Medical Content Reviewed By HelloPharmacist Staff

Pharmacist's Answer Published Aug 23, 2022 Last updated Dec 22, 2025

Key points

• Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) lasts quite a while in your system, longer than 24 hours.
• It is generally recommended to avoid alcohol while taking cyclobenzaprine.
• If you do decide to drink, I would recommend waiting at least 24 hours and drinking less than your might normally.

Answer

Thanks for your question!

Cyclobenzaprine actually lasts quite a long time in your system. The reported half-life of the drug, the amount of time that it takes for your body to metabolize half of the medication and remove it from your body, ranges between 8-37 hours in most adults.

Now, the half-life is It’s dependent on several factors such as your genetics, age, and liver function. The elderly and folks with impaired liver function tend to metabolize it slower. If we assume that you metabolize cyclobenzaprine quickly, even 24 hours after a single 10mg dose, at least 1.25mg of cyclobenzaprine would still be in your system.

Per the labeling information:

“Cyclobenzaprine, especially when used with alcohol or other CNS depressants, may impair mental and/or physical abilities required for performance of hazardous tasks, such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle.”

Since it does last a while in your system, I would recommend waiting about 24 hours after your last dose of cyclobenzaprine before you have a drink. At the very least, you should wait around 8 hours after taking a dose as that is the timeframe where the drug has the most effect.

Now, drinking while on cyclobenzaprine is discouraged, but not contraindicated. If you do decide to drink, remember that alcohol and cyclobenzaprine have a similar effect on your central nervous system. Since you might still have cyclobenzaprine in your system, you will feel the effects of the alcohol after a fewer number of drinks and more intensely than drinking with no cyclobenzaprine in your system.

Final Words

I hope I was able to help. Feel free to write us back in the future.

References

• Cyclobenzaprine Prescribing Information, AccessFDA

• Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
• 3 years ago
• 11720 views

Was this article helpful?

Yes No

About the Pharmacist

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD

Dr. Brian has been practicing pharmacy for over 13 years and has wide-ranging experiences in many different areas of the profession. From retail, clinical, program development, and administrative responsibilities, he's your knowledgeable and go-to source for all your pharmacy and medication-related questions! Dr. Brian Staiger also has herbalist training and educational certificates in the field of medical ethnobotany. Feel free to send him an email at [email protected]! You can also connect with Dr. Brian Staiger on LinkedIn.

Related Subjects

• May 12, 2022

  Does Tramadol Affect The COVID-19 Vaccine?

  Will taking Tramadol affect the COVID-19 vaccine booster shot?

  Read more
• Nov 21, 2025

  Is Olanzapine Safe to Take With Garlic?

  Does garlic interact with olanzapine?

  Read more
• Dec 20, 2022

  Can You Give Keflex (Cephalexin) With NyQuil?

  My son was prescribed Keflex for an ear infection. He is having a lot of trouble going to sleep. Is...

  Read more

Visit Our Drug-Herbal Interaction Checker

Drug-Herbal Interaction Checker

Check your medications for potential interactions with herbal supplements

Popular Interaction Pages

Strontium - Fluticasone Propionate Bifidobacterium Breve - Dacomitinib St. John's Wort - Hydrocortisone, Clioquinol, Pramoxine Jamaican Dogwood - Butaperazine Ostrich Fern - Infliximab-dyyb Adenosine - Propoxyphene Gluten-free Diet - Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Potassium Bitartrate Heart's Ease - Pseudoephedrine Sulfate Betel Nut - Bromazepam Bismuth Nitrate - Cephapirin Oregon Grape - Phendimetrazine Coriander - Cabotegravir, Rilpivirine Relaxation Therapy - Reteplase English Horsemint - Indomethacin Piracetam - Magnesium Salicylate (otc Drug) Red Yeast Rice - Dihydroxyaluminum Sodium Carbonate Black Pepper - Potassium Phosphate (prescription Drug) M1-4add - Meropenem Banderol - Cephalothin Borage - Pentobarbitone Still Confused? Ask the pharmacist a question here!

Search

Search Search

Was this article helpful?

Yes No

Recent Questions

• Saw Palmetto With Junel Interaction

  I have a question about saw palmetto supplements a...

  Nov 05, 2025

• Avoid Taking Your Drug With A 'High Fat' Meal...What Does That Mean?

  Okay, doctors say not to take Rozerem with or righ...

  Oct 22, 2025

Loading .... ×

Feedback

We'll never share your email with anyone else. Submit Close