A patient taking cyclobenzaprine asks why they must not drink alcohol. Which statement best explains the reason?

• A. Alcohol can speed up the drug's metabolism.
• B. Alcohol may cause increased blood pressure with this medication.
• C. Alcohol and this medication both cause CNS depression.
• D. It has no interaction with alcohol.

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that both cyclobenzaprine and alcohol depress the central nervous system. Cyclobenzaprine is a central-acting muscle relaxant that reduces nerve signaling to ease muscle spasms, which can make people feel drowsy or sedated. Alcohol is a CNS depressant that slows brain activity and impairs alertness and coordination. When taken together, their sedative effects add up, leading to greater drowsiness, dizziness, slower reaction times, impaired balance, and a higher risk of accidents or respiratory depression. This is why the statement that best explains the reason is that alcohol and this medication both cause CNS depression. The other ideas—like alcohol speeding up metabolism, causing blood pressure changes with this drug, or having no interaction—don’t capture the real safety issue here.