Zanaflex

Generic Name: tizanidine (Oral route)

tye-ZAN-i-deen

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Comfort Pac w/Tizanidine


• Zanaflex


• Zanaflex Capsule

Available Dosage Forms:

• Capsule


• Tablet

Therapeutic Class: Skeletal Muscle Relaxant, Centrally Acting

Uses For Zanaflex

Tizanidine is used to help relax certain muscles in your body. It relieves the spasms, cramping, and tightness of muscles caused by medical problems such as multiple sclerosis or certain injuries to the spine. Tizanidine does not cure these problems, but it may allow other treatment, such as physical therapy, to be more helpful in improving your condition.

Tizanidine acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to produce its muscle relaxant effects. Its actions on the CNS may also cause some of the medicine's side effects.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using Zanaflex

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of tizanidine in children with use in other age groups.

Geriatric

Studies in older adults show that tizanidine stays in the body a little longer than it does in younger adults. Your doctor will consider this when deciding on your dose.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Ciprofloxacin


• Fluvoxamine

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Acyclovir


• Amiodarone


• Cimetidine


• Desogestrel


• Dienogest


• Drospirenone


• Estradiol Cypionate


• Estradiol Valerate


• Ethinyl Estradiol


• Ethynodiol Diacetate


• Etonogestrel


• Famotidine


• Levonorgestrel


• Medroxyprogesterone Acetate


• Mestranol


• Mexiletine


• Norelgestromin


• Norethindrone


• Norfloxacin


• Norgestimate


• Norgestrel


• Ofloxacin


• Propafenone


• Rofecoxib


• Ticlopidine


• Vemurafenib


• Verapamil


• Zileuton

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Fosphenytoin


• Lisinopril


• Phenytoin

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Kidney disease or


• Liver disease—The chance of side effects may be increased; higher blood levels of tizanidine may result and a smaller dose may be needed

Proper Use of tizanidine

This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain tizanidine. It may not be specific to Zanaflex. Please read with care.

When you take the different dosage forms (tablets, capsules, capsule contents sprinkled over applesauce) of tizanidine with food, it effects the amount of the medicine absorbed into your blood differently. Follow your doctor's instructions for when to take this medicine and whether or not you should take it with food.

Take this medicine only as directed. Do not take more of it and do not take it more often than recommended on the label, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (capsules and tablets):
  
  • For muscle relaxation:
    
    • Adults—The dose is 8 milligrams (mg) every six to eight hours as needed. No more than 36 mg should be taken within a twenty-four-hour period.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    
    
  
  

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Precautions While Using Zanaflex

Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits, especially during the first few weeks of treatment with this medicine. During this time the amount of medicine you are taking may have to be changed often to meet your individual needs.

Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine. Unwanted effects may occur if the medicine is stopped suddenly. Check with your doctor for the best way to reduce gradually the amount you are taking before stopping completely.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; prescription pain medicine or narcotics; barbiturates; medicine for seizures; other muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are using tizanidine.

This medicine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, clumsiness or unsteadiness, or vision problems in some people. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert, well-coordinated, and able to see well.

Tizanidine may cause dryness of the mouth. For temporary relief, use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. However, if dry mouth continues for more than 2 weeks, check with your medical doctor or dentist. Continuing dryness of the mouth may increase the chance of dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease, and fungus infections.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help lessen this problem.

Zanaflex Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Chest pain or discomfort


• fever


• loss of appetite


• lower back or side pain


• nausea and/or vomiting


• nervousness


• pain or burning while urinating


• painful or difficult urination


• sores on the skin


• tingling, burning, or prickling sensations


• unusual tiredness


• yellow eyes or skin

Less common

• Black, tarry stools


• bloody vomit


• blurred vision


• chills or sore throat


• coldness


• convulsions (seizures)


• cough or hoarseness


• dark urine


• dry, puffy skin


• eye pain


• fainting


• influenza (flu)-like symptoms


• irregular heartbeat


• kidney stones


• persistent anorexia


• pruritus


• right upper quadrant tenderness


• seeing things that are not there


• shortness of breath


• slow or irregular heartbeat


• unusual tiredness or weakness


• weight gain

Incidence not known

• Continuing vomiting


• general feeling of tiredness or weakness


• headache


• light-colored stools

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

• Blurred vision


• change in consciousness


• chest pain or discomfort


• confusion


• decreased awareness or responsiveness


• difficult or troubled breathing


• dizziness, faintness or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying position


• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing


• lightheadedness, dizziness or fainting


• loss of consciousness


• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin


• severe sleepiness


• shortness of breath


• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness


• slow or irregular heartbeat


• sweating


• unusual tiredness or weakness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Anxiety


• back pain


• constipation


• depression


• diarrhea


• difficulty in speaking


• dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when getting up from a lying or sitting position


• drowsiness


• dry mouth


• heartburn


• increased sweating


• increased muscle spasms or tone


• muscle weakness


• pain or burning in throat


• runny nose


• skin rash


• sleepiness


• stomach pain


• uncontrolled movements of the body

Less common

• Difficulty swallowing


• dry skin


• general feeling of discomfort or illness


• increased need to urinate


• joint or muscle pain or stiffness


• loss of hair


• migraine headache


• mood changes


• neck pain


• passing urine more often


• shivering


• swelling of feet or lower legs


• swollen area that feels warm and tender


• trembling or shaking


• trouble sleeping


• unusual feeling of well-being


• unusual tiredness or weakness


• weight loss

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Zanaflex side effects (in more detail)

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More Zanaflex resources

• Zanaflex Side Effects (in more detail)
• Zanaflex Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Zanaflex Drug Interactions
• Zanaflex Support Group
• 49 Reviews for Zanaflex - Add your own review/rating

• Zanaflex Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Zanaflex Consumer Overview


• Zanaflex Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Zanaflex MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Tizanidine Prescribing Information (FDA)

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