Can you take Flexeril and Tramadol together?
By
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii, PhD, is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drug Design and Development, Enzymes, Molecular Modelling, and Photodynamic Therapy. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii’s Highlights:
- Postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of São Paulo, emphasizing therapy of neglected diseases using light.
- PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences focusing on drug design and development at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of São Paulo.
- Six months as an international researcher at the Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases (University of California San Diego)
- Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences focusing on drug design and development at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of São Paulo.
- Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Mogi das Cruzes – São Paulo / Brazil
Professional Experience:
2012 – 2018 Project manager at University of São Paulo – Pharmacy Department
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii has worked with computational studies, synthesis, biological evaluation, design, and development of new inhibitor candidates for Chagas Disease and Leishmaniasis.
2017 – 2017 International research fellow at University of California San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences – Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases.
She used Virtual Screening (VS) and High-Throughput Screening (HTS) Integration in the Discovery of new drugs against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
2018 – 2019 Faculdades Oswaldo Cruz
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii was a professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy, teaching the subjects of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Drug Development.
2019 – 2021 Researcher in Biochemistry University of São Paulo – Biochemistry Department
She applied Photodynamic Therapy in Leishmaniasis Treatment, mentored undergraduate students in scientific activities, and wrote, executed, translated, and reported scientific projects with funding agencies.
2023-2023 UniPiaget – University Center.
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii was a Biology, Nutrition, Physiotherapy, and Pharmacy professor.
Education:
2018 -2021 Postdoctoral at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of São Paulo
2013 -2018 PhD of Science: Drugs and Medicines at Department of Pharmacy at University of São Paulo
2012 -2013 M.Sc. of Sciences: Drugs and Medicines at the Department of Pharmacy at the University of São Paulo
2005-2008 Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Mogi das Cruzes
The leading publications of Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii are:
Vital-Fujii, D.G, Baptista, M.S. (2021). Progress in the photodynamic therapy treatment of Leishmaniasis. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 54, 1-11.
Gatti, F. M., Gomes, R.A., da Fonseca, A.L., Lima, E.J.C., Vital-Fujii, D.G., Taranto, A.G., Varotti, F.P., Trossini, G.H.G. (2020). Antiplasmodial activity of sulfonylhydrazones: in vitro and in silico approaches. Future medicinal chemistry, 13, 233-250.
Silva, E.J., Bezerra-Souza, A., Passero, L.F., Laurenti, M.D., Ferreira, G.M., Fujii, D.G.V., et al. (2018). Synthesis, leishmanicidal activity, structural descriptors and structure-activity relationship of quinoline derivatives. Future medicinal chemistry, 10, 2069-2085.
Leite, F.H.A., Froes, T.Q., da Silva, S.G., de Souza, E.I.M., Vital-Fuji,i D.G., Trossini, G.H.G., et al. (2017). An integrated approach towards the discovery of novel non-nucleoside Leishmania major pteridine reductase 1 inhibitors. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 132, 322-332.
Vital, D.G., Damasceno, F.S., Rapado, L.N., Silber, A.M., Vilella, F.S., Ferreira, R.S., et al. (2017). Application of bioisosterism in design of the semicarbazone derivatives as cruzain inhibitors: a theoretical and experimental study. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 35, 1244–1259.
Mello, J. F.R., Gomes, R.A., Vital-Fujii, D.G., Ferreira, G.M., Trossini, G.H.G. (2017). Fragment-based drug discovery as alternative strategy to the drug development for neglected diseases. Chemical Biology & Drug Design, 90, 1067-1078.
Pantaleao, S.Q., Fujii, D.G.V., Maltarollo, V.G., da C. Silva, D., Trossini, G.H.G., Weber, K.C., et al. (2017). The Role of QSAR and Virtual Screening Studies in Type 2 Diabetes Drug Discovery. Medicinal Chemistry, 13, 706-720.
Vital, D., Arribas, M., Trossini, G. (2014). Molecular Modeling and Docking Application to Evaluate Cruzain Inhibitory Activity by Chalcones and Hydrazides. Letters in Drug Design and Discovery, 11, 249-255.
Blau, L., Menegon, R.F., Trossini, G.H.G., Molino, J.V.D., Vital, D.G., Cicarelli, R.M.B., et al. (2013). Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of new aryl thiosemicarbazone as antichagasic candidates. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 67, 142-151.
You can view some of Dr Drielli’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9270-0466
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Drielli-Gomes-Vital-Fujii
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55829534000
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=F9U50AEAAAAJ&hl=pt-BR
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/driellivital
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/6101380/drielli-gomes-vital
CDIPD: https://cdipd.org/index.php/about-us/visiting-scientists
Can you take Flexeril and Tramadol together?
No, it is not recommended to take Flexeril and Tramadol together. Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine) is a muscle relaxant, whereas Tramadol is an opioid painkiller and they don’t interact with one another.
Tramadol is generally used to treat moderate pain that does not respond to OTC painkillers like Acetaminophen and NSAIDs. However, it is not as strong as Morphine and other heavy opioid painkillers.
Although it is not that strong, it can affect your brain and your respiratory functions, which Flexeril can also affect, hence they interact. Let’s look at the interactions in detail.
What are the dangers associated with the use of Flexeril and Tramadol together?
The concomitant use of Flexeril and Tramadol can cause the following side effects (1,2):
- Respiratory depression
- Excess sedation
- Increased risk of bowel obstruction
Respiratory depression
One of the dangers associated with the use of Flexeril and Tramadol is respiratory depression. Both of the meds affect your respiratory rate and the combined use can significantly increase this side effect. It leads to symptoms like:
- Breathlessness
- Low blood pressure
- Slow heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Heart-sinking feeling
Respiratory depression can be life-threatening for people who suffer from compromised respiratory functions caused by diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Even in a healthy individual, slow breathing and heart rate can reduce the flow of oxygen in your entire body. This is why the combined use of Flexeril and Tramadol should not be exercised, especially in people with respiratory insufficiency.
Excess sedation
Both Flexeril and Tramadol are sedatives in nature and can slow down your central nervous system (CNS). The combined use of these two meds can significantly increase sedation and may lead to blackouts.
This is why they should not be used together. Excess sedation can cause a number of complications and long-term use can create further health-related issues.
Increased risk of bowel obstruction
Another important concern related to the concomitant use of Flexeril and Tramadol is the increased risk of bowel obstruction. Both Flexeril and Tramadol can affect the muscles responsible for digestion and regulating your bowel movements.
If you continue the combined use of these meds, it can lead to bowel obstruction in the long run and cause an unsettling condition for you.
Is there any way of safely taking Flexeril and Tramadol?
If your condition requires the use of Flexeril and Tramadol at the same time, it’s best to divide your doses in such a way that you won’t have to take them together.
Since both of them are short-acting, they can be taken on the same day and can be managed by taking them at separate times. However, timing is not the only thing that needs to be altered to take these two meds together.
Flexeril and Tramadol, being prescription medications, should only be used when prescribed by your healthcare provider and at lower doses. Dose adjustment is key to preventing side effects when two or more incompatible meds are used.
You can pair Tramadol with OTC painkillers like Tylenol or Ibuprofen. However, Tramadol is a mild Opioid that may interact with other medications – which is why it’s best to consult your doctor if you think you need a muscle relaxant or an additional painkiller to combine with Tramadol.
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References
1.-
MedlinePlus. Tramadol. MedlinePlus drug information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [updated 2022 Feb 15; cited 2022 Nov 30]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a695011.html
2.-
MedlinePlus. Cyclobenzaprine. MedlinePlus drug information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [updated 2022 Feb 15; cited 2022 Nov 30]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682514.html
