Tizanidine

Description

Tizanidine is a skeletal muscle relaxant used in the treatment of spasticity, a condition where the muscles are contracted continuously. This medicine is not recommended for use in children and adolescents.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Tizanidine

  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Fever or chills
  • Nausea or Vomiting
  • Nervousness
  • Painful or burning urination
  • Unusual tiredness
  • Blurred vision
  • Flu like symptoms
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Itching skin
  • Shortness of breath
  • Weight gain

Uses of Tizanidine

What is it prescribed for?

  • Muscle spasticity
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
  • Duration of effect
    The amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, difficulty in concentrating, a very low blood pressure, etc. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if you consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit forming tendency has been reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. If the medicine is used, the infant should be monitored closely for any adverse effects. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.

Allergy

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to tizanidine or any other components present along with it.

CYP1A2 inhibitors

Tizanidine is not recommended for use in patients receiving CYP1A2 inhibitors such as fluvoxamine due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. If the medicine is used, the infant should be monitored closely for any adverse effects. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
General warnings

Hypotension

Tizanidine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of hypotension or patients predisposed to hypotension due to the increased risk of hypotensive episodes. Appropriate dose adjustments and close monitoring of blood pressure may be required for such patients.

Renal impairment

Tizanidine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of renal impairment due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of renal function and appropriate dose adjustments may be necessary based on the clinical condition.

Liver impairment

Tizanidine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of liver impairment due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of liver function is recommended for such patients. Therapy may need to be discontinued based on the clinical condition.

Sedation

Tizanidine should be used with caution in patients receiving sedatives since it may increase the sedative effects of such medications. Any unusual symptoms should be reported to the doctor on priority. Appropriate dose adjustments should be done under your doctor's supervision.

Drowsiness

This medicine may cause drowsiness. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if you suffer from drowsiness during treatment with this medicine.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. The missed dose should be skipped if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

N/A

Instructions

Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, difficulty in concentrating, a very low blood pressure, etc. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if you consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine.
Interaction with Medicine

Amlodipine

Atenolol

Citalopram

Clozapine

Amiodarone

Benazepril

Disease interactions

Renal Dysfunction

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of renal dysfunction due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Appropriate dose adjustments may be required based on the clinical condition.

Hypotension

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of hypotension or patients predisposed to hypotension due to the increased risk of hypotensive episodes. Appropriate dose adjustments and close monitoring of blood pressure are recommended for such patients.

Liver Disease

Tizanidine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of liver diseases due to the increased risk of liver injuries. Liver function should be assessed before initiating treatment. Close monitoring of liver function may be necessary during treatment with this medicine. Therapy may need to be discontinued based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Consumption of caffeine may increase the effects of Tizanidine. This may cause side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, irregular heartbeat, etc. Hence, you are advised to avoid the consumption of caffeine during treatment with this medicine.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Tizanidine as instructed by the doctor. Carefully follow all the instructions mentioned on the label or package insert. This medicine can be taken with or without food. The quantity consumed should not be higher or lower than the prescribed dose. Report any undesired side effects to the doctor immediately. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
Tizanidine acts on the nervous system and reduces muscle spasms, allowing the muscles to relax.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Skeletal muscle relaxants

Schedule

Schedule H

DailyMed - Tizanidine Hydrochloride tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 30 August 2017]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=1fa26940-3778-4758-811e-3e1531d919df

EMC [Internet]. 2017 [cited 30 August 2017]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/22602

Tizanidine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 30 August 2017]. Available from:

https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00697

Tizanidine: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 30 August 2017]. Available from:

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601121.html

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Information on this page was last updated on 27 Sep 2017

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.