{"id":631165,"date":"2025-01-24T17:54:29","date_gmt":"2025-01-24T22:54:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=631165"},"modified":"2025-09-12T14:35:17","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T18:35:17","slug":"cyclobenzaprine-and-naproxen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/cyclobenzaprine-and-naproxen\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you take cyclobenzaprine and naproxen together?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cyclobenzaprine<\/span><\/a>, sold under the brand names Flexeril<\/a> and <\/span>Amrix<\/span><\/a>, is a type of muscle relaxant that works on the central nervous system (CNS). It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat pain, soreness, and muscle movement issues triggered by muscle spasms. <\/span>Naproxen<\/span><\/a> is a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat fever, as well as pain and inflammation associated with conditions like arthritis, gout, headaches, muscle aches, pelvic pain, and toothache. Naproxen is available with a prescription and is also sold over the counter under brand names like <\/span>Aleve<\/span><\/a>, Calmadol, Flanax, Mediproxen, and others.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are dealing with muscle pain, muscle spasms, or a recent injury, you might want to know: Can I take cyclobenzaprine and naproxen together? The answer is yes; you can safely combine them in most cases, and the combination tends to offer more comprehensive pain relief for people who need it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here, we\u2019ll go over everything you need to know about taking cyclobenzaprine and naproxen together, including safety, benefits, side effects, and who should be more cautious about this medication combination.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you take cyclobenzaprine and naproxen together?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Experts agree that cyclobenzaprine and naproxen together is a safe and effective combination.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you can take cyclobenzaprine and naproxen together, and for many people, it\u2019s safe,\u201d says Sean Ormond, MD, dual board-certified in anesthesiology and interventional pain management physician at <\/span>Atlas Pain Specialists<\/span><\/a>. \u201cCyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant, and naproxen is an anti-inflammatory painkiller, so together, they can be effective for muscle pain or injuries. As such, if you are dealing with muscle spasms along with inflammation, this combo can pack a one-two punch,\u201d Dr. Ormond says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shahinaz Soliman, MD, a board-certified family physician at <\/span>Shantique Medspa<\/span><\/a>, agrees. \u201cIn most cases, it is reasonably safe to combine cyclobenzaprine and naproxen for short periods, especially when dealing with acute musculoskeletal pain and conditions,\u201d she says. \u201cCyclobenzaprine works against muscle spasms, and naproxen is used for inflammation and pain.\u201d She says the conditions the combination works best for include back pain, muscle spasms, injuries, and sprains.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Dr. Soliman emphasizes, the combination of cyclobenzaprine and naproxen, while effective, should only be thought of as a short-term solution to muscle pain, muscle spasms, and inflammation. That\u2019s because cyclobenzaprine, in particular, should only be used for <\/span>two to three weeks at a time.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Benefits of taking cyclobenzaprine and naproxen at the same time<\/span><\/h2>\n

Pairing pain relief medication with a skeletal <\/span>muscle relaxant<\/span><\/a> is a common practice in medicine. \u201cIt\u2019s often a good idea to combine a pain reliever with a muscle relaxant if you’re dealing with both inflammation and muscle spasms, as they target different aspects of the pain,\u201d Dr. Ormond notes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Probably the biggest benefit of taking cyclobenzaprine and naproxen together is that you can get more symptom relief than you would taking these medications on their own. \u201cTaking cyclobenzaprine and naproxen together can provide more complete relief,\u201d Dr. Ormond says.<\/span><\/p>\n

How exactly does it help? Again, naproxen<\/a> can relieve pain and inflammation, while cyclobenzaprine<\/a> works best for relaxing tight muscles. \u201cFor many patients, I do recommend this combination, especially when they have muscle-related pain and inflammation, like in cases of back pain or muscle injuries,\u201d Dr. Ormond says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Soliman shares that in addition to muscle pain and spasms in a general sense, cyclobenzaprine and naproxen together are a good choice if you are dealing with specific, short-term conditions like low back pain\u200b, acute muscle strain, or a flare-up of an inflammatory condition of the spine. This is also a good combination for acute musculoskeletal injuries because it can help restore mobility and reduce pain. Again, Dr. Soliman emphasizes that these medications should only be used on a temporary basis, which means this combination is best for conditions that aren\u2019t necessarily chronic.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cyclobenzaprine and naproxen risks and interactions<\/span><\/h2>\n

Although taking cyclobenzaprine and naproxen together is typically safe, there are some side effects that may occur, and there are certain individuals who should not take these two medicines together. Keep in mind, too, that any risks associated with these medications increase the longer you take them, which is why abiding by the two- to three-week rule is important. \u201cThe risk of adverse effects also rises with continuous use,\u201d Dr. Soliman stresses.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Ormond says there aren\u2019t any known major direct interactions between cyclobenzaprine and naproxen, but there are certain things to consider. \u201cCyclobenzaprine can cause drowsiness, and if you take it with naproxen, which can also cause some stomach irritation, you might feel more tired or experience stomach discomfort,\u201d he explains. \u201cBoth drugs can have side effects, and taking them together might make some of those effects stronger, like dizziness or drowsiness.\u201d Dr. Ormond advises patients to pay close attention to how they are feeling and talk to their healthcare provider if anything feels off.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, according to Dr. Soliman, you should consult with your healthcare provider if you have underlying medical conditions, including:<\/span><\/p>\n