Why Magnesium And Muscle Relaxants Shouldn’t Be Taken Together

It’s not too difficult to push through occasional muscle spasms and soreness. In fact, there are plenty of ways to ease sore muscles after a workout. But when you deal with chronic, painful muscle tightness and twitching, you may consider taking a muscle relaxant. If you go that route, be sure to watch what you take in tandem with it.

Among the many health benefits associated with magnesium are its potential to lower blood pressure, improve bone strength, and tame migraine headaches. With that said, a person who regularly takes muscle relaxants may want to avoid taking magnesium alongside them.

“While magnesium is often praised for its calming and muscle-supporting benefits, combining it with prescription muscle relaxants isn’t always a good idea,” shared clinical pharmacist and Myri Health founder Dr. Pinkey Patel in an interview with Health Digest. “In fact, it can intensify the effects of the muscle relaxant — sometimes, to a dangerous degree.”

According to a 2011 study in Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, the addition of magnesium sulfate seemed to stimulate the effectiveness of the muscle relaxant vecuronium in laboratory experiments. (Here are some supplements you should avoid taking with magnesium.)

Of course, muscle relaxant intensification may sound wonderful when you’re hurting after an injury or workout. However, it could be a recipe for unexpectedly serious problems. “Both magnesium and muscle relaxants, like cyclobenzaprine, tizanidine, or baclofen, work in part by slowing down nerve signals,” explained Dr. Patel. “When taken together, their effects can stack, leading to symptoms like extreme drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, low blood pressure, and muscle weakness.”

As if that weren’t bad enough, Dr. Patel added that in some cases, people who opt to take magnesium alongside muscle relaxants could struggle with breathing or coordination difficulties, leading to falls or accidents. She noted that this outcome might be more likely for individuals with underlying health conditions.

It stands to reason that a healthcare professional like Dr. Patel would be well-versed in understanding the possible interactions between magnesium and muscle relaxants. However, individuals who aren’t medically knowledgeable might presume that the two products wouldn’t affect each other.

“What makes this especially tricky is that magnesium is available over the counter, so it’s easy to overlook as a ‘safe’ supplement,” stated Dr. Patel. “But just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s harmless in every situation — especially when combined with medications that act on the central nervous system.” (Avoid drinking alcohol with your muscle relaxers, too; otherwise, you could experience a similar intensification effect.) 

What if you’re already taking a muscle relaxant and you want to try adding magnesium? Rather than making the decision on your own, Dr. Patel advised checking with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. “A personalized recommendation can help avoid unintended side effects and keep your treatment plan both safe and effective.”