Final answer:
Cyclobenzaprine is effective in combination with NSAIDs as a muscle relaxant and should not be combined with CNS depressants like benzodiazepines due to the risk of severe CNS and respiratory depression.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cyclobenzaprine can have efficacy with NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs); it is often used as a muscle relaxant to relieve muscle spasms in acute musculoskeletal conditions. It should not be combined with central nervous system (CNS) depressants or sedative-hypnotic agents, which include drugs like benzodiazepines and barbiturates, due to the risk of an additive effect on the CNS and respiratory system.
This combination can lead to significant sedation, hypnosis, or even more severe CNS depression. Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxer that works by blocking nerve impulses (or pain sensations) that are sent to your brain. When used in conjunction with other CNS depressants, the effects of both drugs can be exaggerated, causing an increased risk of severe side effects, including respiratory depression, which can be life-threatening.