Muscle relaxers and Blood pressure do not interact to cause severe side effects. Clinical studies do not demonstrate an association between hypertension with muscle relaxers, but it is seen to lower blood pressure.
One of the most prevalent questions physicians encounter is, “Do muscle relaxers lower blood pressure.” According to the CDC, approximately 47% of Americans suffer from hypertension, whereas 2 million Americans are reported to use muscle relaxants, thus making it one of the most common interactions among patients [1,2].
Muscle relaxers are prescribed to treat hypercontractility and acute musculoskeletal pain. The common muscle relaxers dominating the pharmaceutical world are the Soma pill, Flexeril, and Robaxin. This detailed blog summarizes the interaction of these muscle relaxers with blood pressure and depicts if muscle relaxers lower blood pressure.
How Do Muscle Relaxers Affect Your Blood Pressure?
Two scientific findings can theorize the impact of muscle relaxers on blood pressure.
Muscle Relaxers Lower Blood Pressure
Most clinical studies indicate that using muscle relaxers lowers blood pressure and therefore is not considered safe to be administered with hypertension medication [3].
Muscle relaxers are CNS depressants and are associated with hypotension. They act on the brain and increase the activity of GABA (a chemical prevalent in slowing down brain activity). It, therefore, results in lowered blood pressure, sleepiness, confusion, and slowed breathing [4].
Muscle Relaxers Increase Blood Pressure
By Affecting The Heart-
Using muscle relaxers such as the Soma pill can affect the heart by targeting several pathways. It is scientifically proven that an elevated heart rate can cause peripheral blood pressure [5]. Thus, the prevalence of Muscle relaxer blood pressure is higher in people with a history of cardiovascular disorder. Therefore buying Soma or other muscle relaxers without consulting a physician is not advisable.
Respiratory Depression-
Muscle relaxers inhibit the neuromuscular transmission of the respiratory muscle resulting in respiratory depression [6]. It is a condition that is characterized by ineffective and slow breathing [7]. Studies show that shallow or slow breathing can disrupt the oxygen and carbon dioxide balance, thus elevating the heart rate and blood pressure [8]. Therefore, patients taking muscle relaxers must be monitored regularly.
Common Muscle relaxer interaction with Blood Pressure
Not all muscle relaxers lower blood pressure; some also cause hypertension. The aforementioned popular muscle relaxers -Robaxin, Soma pill, and Flexeril can affect your blood pressure in the following ways.
Soma Pill And Orthostatic Hypotension
Soma pill is a popular Carisoprodol brand name effective in treating acute muscle spasms within 30 minutes of intake. The Soma pill can cause orthostatic hypotension, which may result in lightheadedness when you stand from lying down or sitting. It is often reported to lower blood pressure. Cases of hypertension from the Soma pill are low.
Does Robaxin Lower Blood Pressure?
Low blood pressure is a commonly reported side effect of Robaxin. Similar to Carisoprodol, Methocarbamol also causes orthostatic hypotension. The symptoms are usually mild but can result in fainting in a few cases [9].
Flexeril And Blood Pressure
Flexeril do not lower blood pressure; overdosing on this muscle relaxer can result in hypertension or increased blood pressure [10].
Impact Of Muscle Relaxer Blood Pressure On The Human Body
A study indicates that using muscle relaxers can cause chronic blood pressure changes (either hypotension or hypertension), which is one of the significant causes of frailty [11].
The study also indicates that using muscle relaxants in patients with hypertension and renal dysfunction can result in weakness.
Can You Take Muscle Relaxers With Blood Pressure Medication?
Administration of Muscle relaxers with blood pressure medication may not be safe as they can cause hypotension. It should be taken by patients with hypertension only if prescribed by their physician.
Hydrochlorothiazide, a common prescription blood pressure medicine, is noted to cause moderate interaction with muscle relaxers such as Carisoprodol and Flexeril.
The administration of Hydrochlorothiazide with Carisoprodol and Flexeril can slow down the heart rate and cause a lowering of blood pressure. Taking muscle relaxers with blood pressure medicine can also result in lightheadedness, headache, dizziness, and fainting. While coadministering muscle relaxers with hypertension medicine, it is essential to monitor the patient's blood pressure, potassium levels, and blood glucose levels [12,13].
Muscle Relaxers And Blood Pressure- Testimonials And Anecdotal Data
User testimonials indicate that certain muscle relaxers lower blood pressure, whereas some may cause hypertension. The anecdotal data here is from avid users on Quora taking different muscle relaxers for a long period [14,15].
Muscle Relaxer Blood Pressure- Final Verdict
The intake of muscle relaxers may lower blood pressure or, in some cases, result in hypertension. Popular muscle relaxers such as Robaxin and the Soma pill are noted to lower blood pressure, whereas Flexeril can cause an elevation.
Muscle relaxers affect blood pressure by affecting the respiratory system and heart and cause CNS depression. Therefore, the use of the Soma pill or any other muscle relaxer should not be done without consulting a doctor.