Brand Names: Zanaflex

Generic Name: Tizanidine (tye ZAN i deen)

What is Zanaflex?

Zanaflex is used to treat spasticity by temporarily relaxing muscle tone.

Zanaflex is a short-acting muscle relaxer. It works by blocking nerve impulses (pain sensations) that are sent to your brain.

How Taken

Zanaflex comes as a tablet to take it orally. It usually is taken two or three times a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Zanaflex exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Warnings/Precautions

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, have kidney disease, have low blood pressure or you are on medication to treat high blood pressure; or you are taking birth control pills. You may not be able to take Zanaflex, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Zanaflex is in the FDA pregnancy C. This means that it is not known whether Zanaflex will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether Zanaflex passes into breast milk. Do not take Zanaflex without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Missed Dose

If you take several doses per day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if you remember a missed dose when it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Possible Side Effects

Side effects from Zanaflex can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: dizziness, upset stomach, vomiting, tingling sensation in the arms, legs, hands, and feet, dry mouth, increased muscle spasms. If you experience either of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: yellowing of the skin or eyes, unexplained flu-like symptoms.

Storage

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of a Zanaflex overdose are not well known but include unconsciousness and irregular breathing.

More Information

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Zanaflex may cause drowsiness and dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities. Dizziness is most likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall. Use caution with alcohol, other muscle relaxants, sleep or anxiety medicines, and pain medicines. These drugs may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking Zanaflex. Do not take any other medicine during treatment with Zanaflex without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

What is the most important information I should know about Zanaflex?

Do not take more than three doses (36 mg) of Zanaflex in a 24-hour period. Too much of this medication can damage your liver. Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, other muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by Zanaflex. Tell your doctor if you need to use any of these other medicines together with Zanaflex. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of Zanaflex.

Do not take Zanaflex if you are also taking the antidepressant fluvoxamine (Luvox), or the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (Cipro). Do not use Zanaflex at a time when muscle tone is needed to assure safe balance and movement for certain activities. In some situations, it may endanger your physical safety to be in a state of reduced muscle tone. Switching between Zanaflex tablets and capsules, or changing the way you take it with regard to eating, can cause an increase in side effects or a decrease in therapeutic effect. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. After making any changes in how you take Zanaflex, contact your doctor if you notice any change in how well the medicine works or if it causes increased side effects.

Zanaflex is a short-acting medication that should be taken only for daily activities that require relief from muscle spasticity.