Tizanidine is primarily used to treat spasticity, temporarily relaxing muscle tone.
What is Tizanidine?
Tizanidine acts by blocking nerve impulses that transmit pain signals to the brain.
How should Tizanidine be taken?
Tizanidine is administered orally in the form of tablets or capsules.
Side effects associated with Tizanidine
Tizanidine can damage the liver.
Among the other possible adverse effects are included:
- Drowsiness or dizziness
- Anxiety or nervousness
- Numbness or tingling
- Stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting
- Fever
- Dry mouth
- Muscle weakness, back pain
- Increased muscle tone or spasms
- Sweating or skin rash
It is important to immediately contact a doctor if taking Tizanidine triggers any of the following:
- Rash
- Urticaria
- Itch
- Difficulty breathing
- Tightness in the chest
- Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue
- Sensation of light headedness, fainting, slow heartbeat
- Hallucinations, confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior
- Nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice
- Burning or pain during urination
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Tizanidine
Tizanidine drug has a fast action that should only be taken when the daily activities require to relieve muscle spasms. It should never be taken more than 3 times (doses) per day. Moreover, remember that replacing the type of formulation or change the mode of intake can lead to increased side effects or reduced effectiveness of the drug.
Treatment is contraindicated in case of taking fluvoxamine or ciprofloxacin.
In some cases, reducing the muscle tone can endanger your personal safety. There are also concerns that some medications such as muscle relaxants or other narcotics, as well as alcohol, can accentuate drowsiness induced by Tizinidine.
The intake of the drug may impair the ability to drive or operate dangerous machinery while sudden discontinuation of treatment can lead to the appearance of symptoms of withdrawal.
Lastly, before taking Tizanidine it is important to tell your doctor if:
- You have any allergies to the active substance, to other components or to other drugs or foods
- You are taking other medications, herbal remedies and supplements, citing in particular acyclovir, cimetidine, famotidine, ticlopidine zileuton, birth control pills, antibiotics, medications for high blood pressure or medicines for heart rhythm abnormalities
- You suffer (or have suffered) from liver or kidney disease, high or low pressure or QT prolongation
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
