Should you mix muscle relaxants with alcohol?

Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on May 20, 2025.

Alcohol should be avoided if you are under treatment with a centrally-acting muscle relaxant (like cyclobenzaprine, baclofen, methocarbamol or tizanidine). When muscle relaxants are combined with alcohol (ethanol), side effects may occur such as:

• drowsiness or sedation
• confusion
• dizziness
• weakness
• errors in decision making, judgement or thinking.

Driving or other hazardous activities may be more dangerous and should be avoided. Accidents can occur.

Skeletal muscle relaxants (see Table 1) work primarily in the spinal cord and brain, also called the central nervous system, to block pain sensations between the nerves and the brain. They are often used short-term (3 weeks or less) to treat acute muscular pain and spasm due to conditions like acute back pain or muscle injury. 

What are muscle relaxants?

Muscle relaxants are a varied group of medications commonly used to treat several conditions associated with muscle spasms, including:

• Spasticity (painful stiff and rigid muscles) from upper motor neuron syndromes such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, or stroke. Baclofen and dantrolene are often used.
• Muscle spasms and tension from painful muscle conditions that are usually short-lived and linked with conditions like acute injury, back pain, tension headaches, or fibromyalgia. Metaxalone, cyclobenzaprine⁵, and methocarbamol may be prescribed.
• The botulinum toxins (Botox, Dysport, Myobloc, Xeomin, Daxxify) and dantrolene work directly on muscle fibers in the peripheral nervous system. The botulinum toxins are not reported to have an interaction with alcohol, but dantrolene can cause CNS depression (drowsiness, dizziness) and use with alcohol should be avoided.
• Botulinum toxin (Botox) is FDA approved to treat spasticity in certain muscle groups of the upper and lower limbs and eyelids. Botox is also used for cervical dystonia, when the neck muscles involuntarily contract causing your head to uncontrollably tilt forward or backward.
• Some botulinum toxins, like Botox Cosmetic and Jeuveau, are approved only to lessen the appearance of facial wrinkles.

Muscle relaxants are also found in a combination drug with an anti-inflammatory agent like aspirin, or your healthcare provider may also suggest you use a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen for added pain relief. Don't use aspirin and an NSAID together, unless approved by your doctor.

Rest and physical therapy are also important in the overall treatment plan for muscle pain and spasm treatment.

Table 1. Common Muscle Relaxants

Alcohol should be avoided if you are under treatment with a centrally-acting muscle relaxant.

Previous research from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has shown that up to 18% of emergency department cases involving skeletal muscle relaxants also were linked with alcohol consumption. Carisoprodol and cyclobenzaprine are frequently misused for non-medical reasons.

Patient Tips for Muscle Relaxants

• Centrally-acting agents can lead to added central nervous system depression when consumed with alcohol. Side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, sedation, confusion, weakness and problems with judgement or thinking can occur.
• Avoid hazardous activities that can result in accidents or injury, such as driving, operating machinery, or engaging in high-risk activities.
• Carisoprodol (Soma) is metabolized to meprobamate and can lead to an opiate-like effect when combined with alcohol. Avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with carisoprodol.
• In addition to CNS depression, tizanidine may also have additive effects on lowering your blood pressure (hypotension) if combined with alcohol. You may experience headache, drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, falling, difficulty concentrating or changes in pulse or heart rate. Use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Muscle relaxants are not recommended for use by pregnant women, older adults, or people who have a history of depression or drug or alcohol abuse.

Related: Xeomin vs Botox​: How do they compare?

Table 1 may not be a complete list; always check with your pharmacist for possible drug-alcohol interactions. Be sure to inform them of your prescription medications, as well as over-the-counter (OTC), vitamin and herbal or dietary products that you use. Let them if you consume alcohol, how much and how often.

Types of Drug Interactions With Alcohol

• ADHD Medications and Alcohol
• Allergies, Cough/Cold Medications and Alcohol
• Antibiotic Medications and Alcohol
• Antidepressants and Alcohol Interactions
• Antipsychotic Medications and Alcohol
• Anxiety Medications and Alcohol
• Bipolar Medications and Alcohol
• Birth Control and Alcohol: Do They Interact?
• Blood Thinners and Alcohol: A Dangerous Mix?
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• Diabetes Medications and Alcohol
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• Enlarged Prostate (BPH) Medications and Alcohol Interactions
• Herbal Supplements and Alcohol
• Is it safe to drink alcohol with acne medicines?
• Motion Sickness Drugs and Alcohol Interactions
• Seizure Medicines and Alcohol: Do They Mix?
• What are the dangers of mixing sleeping pills with alcohol?
• What are the risks of mixing pain medications and alcohol?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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