Drug name
Zanaflex [Tizanidine- 0ral (tize-AN-ih-deen)]
Drug Uses
It is an excellent muscle relaxant drug which may help to relax specific muscles in your body. It relieves you from any painful and involuntary muscular contraction and increases muscle tone which may have been caused by several sclerosis or spinal injury. This drug may be used in some other cases too. For details consult your physician.
How Taken
Zanaflex tablets may be taken orally twice or thrice daily. Read the directions carefully or consult your physician for clarification. Do not take lower or higher dose.
Drug Class and Mechanism
Tizanidine is a drug that can combine with a receptor on a cell to produce a physiological reaction. It has no effect on muscle fibers or the neuro-muscular junction. It has no direct effect on spinal reflexes. It is believed that Tizandine help in reducing facilitation of the spinal motor neurons.
The imidazoline chemical structure is of this tizanidine is similar to Clonidine (the anti hypertensive drug) and other alpha 2- adrenergic agonists. Studies have revealed that tizandine has been found to be 1/10th -1/50th of potentiality in comparison to Clonidine in lowering BP.
Missed Dose
You may take a number of doses daily at regular scheduled intervals. If one dose is skipped, take it as soon you remember but never if it is the scheduled time for the next dose. Never take a double dose.
Storage
Keep the container, tightly closed after every use and store it in room temperature. Do not expose it to heat or moisture. Keep it away from children and throw away if expired. Consult your doctor for other details.
Warnings Precautions
Do not take Zanaflex if you have high/low BP, any liver or kidney malfunction, or using any contraceptive pills. You may use it of a much lower dose but only under doctor’s monitoring. It is a FDA pregnancy C, therefore it may be unsafe for unborn babies. If you are pregnant or a breast feeding mother, have a detailed consultation with your doctor.
Possible side effects
Zanaflex may cause side effects. Consult your doctor for any side effects. It may cause vomiting, tingling sensation in arms and legs, dry mouth, increased muscle spasms, stomach upset, dizziness etc. If ever you have yellowing of skin or eyes or unexplained flu like symptoms then immediately call on your doctor.
More Information
If any of these serious side effects occur, stop using Zanaflex and rush for immediate medical help:
- Liver damage- (yellowing of eyes and skin)
- Abdominal pain, breathing problem, discomfort
- Unusual bleeding, fatigue, hallucinations, abnormal behavior
- Allergic effect- swelling of tongue, throat, face, lips.
Other side effects like dizziness, loss of strength, dry mouth, sweating, increased muscle spasm or any sort of other side effects not mentioned here may occur. Consult your doctor for these side effects and then you may continue with the medicine.