Muscle relaxers typically have a minimal effect on blood pressure. Clinical research does not establish a direct link between muscle relaxers and high blood pressure (hypertension), but they are observed to lower blood pressure.
If you have high blood pressure, it's generally advisable to consult a healthcare professional before taking any medication, including muscle relaxers.
Muscle relaxers are prescription medications to alleviate acute musculoskeletal pain. They work by targeting the central nervous system, offering relief from conditions like back pain, muscle pain, and other muscle-related disorders.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a prevalent health concern affecting millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the blood force against the walls of the arteries is consistently high, potentially leading to severe conditions such as heart disease or stroke.
One of the most prevalent questions physicians encounter is, “Do muscle relaxers affect 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].
Understanding how these medications interact is vital for individuals managing both high blood pressure and the need for muscle relaxers. This blog delves into the question to offer better insight: "Is it safe for people with high blood pressure to use muscle relaxers?". It summarizes the relationship between muscle relaxers and blood pressure and whether muscle relaxers lower blood pressure.
Do Muscle Relaxers Affect Blood Pressure?
Yes, muscle relaxers have the potential to affect blood pressure, leading to a decrease in blood pressure levels. Hence, high blood pressure patients are often prescribed muscle relaxers to manage their blood pressure levels [16]. On the other hand, patients with low blood pressure should exercise caution and consult a doctor before taking muscle relaxers.
However, individual responses to muscle relaxers can vary, and some people may experience changes in blood pressure (high or low) as a side effect. Below, we will discuss the clinically established low blood pressure conditions due to muscle relaxers.
How Do Muscle Relaxers Lower Blood Pressure?
Muscle relaxers can lower blood pressure levels through several mechanisms [3].
Central Nervous System (CNS) Depression-
Muscle relaxers are CNS depressants associated with low blood pressure (hypotension). They act on the brain and increase the activity of GABA (a chemical prevalent in slowing down brain activity). It causes sedation and reduces nerve activity that controls blood vessel constriction. This relaxation of blood vessels can lower blood pressure and affect the heart rate.
Vasodilation-
Some muscle relaxers have a direct vasodilatory effect. They relax the vascular smooth muscle in blood vessel walls, allowing them to widen. This dilation reduces resistance to blood flow, leading to a decrease in blood pressure.
Reduced Sympathetic Nervous System Activity-
Muscle relaxers can inhibit the sympathetic nervous system, which regulates heart rate and blood vessel restriction. By reducing sympathetic activity, muscle relaxers can lower blood pressure.
Common Muscle Relaxer Interaction With Blood Pressure
Below, we discuss popular muscle relaxers like Soma, Robaxin, Flexeril, Baclofen, and Tizanidine, which can affect blood pressure.
Does Soma (Carisoprodol) Lower Blood Pressure?
Soma pill is a popular Carisoprodol brand prescribed for treating acute musculoskeletal conditions. This muscle relaxant can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure called orthostatic hypotension. However, the incidence of hypertension from the Soma pill is low.
Does Robaxin Lower Blood Pressure?
Low blood pressure is a commonly reported side effect of Robaxin, a brand of Methocarbamol. Similar to Carisoprodol, it can also cause orthostatic hypotension. The symptoms are usually mild but can result in fainting in a few cases [9].
Flexeril And Blood Pressure
Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine) does not lower blood pressure. However, overdosing on this muscle relaxer can result in hypertension or increased blood pressure [10].
Does Baclofen Raise Your Blood Pressure?
Baclofen generally does not raise blood pressure. However, improper administration, like overdose or co-administration with other medications, can increase blood pressure levels.
Does Tizanidine Raise Or Lower Blood Pressure?
Tizanidine (Zanaflex) has the potential to induce significant drops in blood pressure, resulting in symptoms like dizziness or fainting.
Risks Of Muscle Relaxers on Blood Pressure
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 or weakness [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?
The administration of muscle relaxers with blood pressure medications can cause interactions that may not be safe. It is essential to consult a healthcare professional before combining these medications.
While some muscle relaxers may be safe to use with blood pressure medication, others can interact negatively, leading to potential side effects or reduced effectiveness.
For instance, Hydrochlorothiazide, a 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 lower 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].
It is best to consult a doctor for personalized guidance based on your specific health condition, the type of muscle relaxer, and the blood pressure medication you are taking.
User Testimonials And Anecdotal Data
User testimonials indicate that certain muscle relaxers lower blood pressure, whereas some may cause hypertension. The anecdotal data in the image below is from avid users on Quora taking different muscle relaxers for a long period [14,15].
Muscle Relaxer And Blood Pressure- Conclusion
Muscle relaxers affect blood pressure, causing lower blood pressure or, in some cases, resulting in hypertension due to overdose and drug interaction. Hence, patients with low blood pressure should consult a doctor before taking muscle relaxers.
Muscle relaxers like Soma, Robaxin, Flexeril, Tizanidine, and Baclofen can affect blood pressure. It is crucial to consult a doctor before combining muscle relaxers with blood pressure medications. When using muscle relaxers to lower blood pressure, high blood pressure patients require careful evaluation and monitoring by a doctor.