Tizanidine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Tizanidine?

What is Tizanidine for?

Tizanidine is a drug with a function to treat spasms in the muscles caused by certain conditions (such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries). This drug works by relaxing the muscles.

The tizanidine dosage and side effects of tizanidine are described further below.

How to use Tizanidine?

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication as directed by your doctor, usually 6 to 8 hours.

The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other drugs you are taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs, and herbal products). To reduce the risk of side effects, your doctor will give you a low dose at the start of treatment and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions. Do not take more than 36 milligrams in one day or more than 3 doses within a 24 hour period.

Your body will absorb this medicine differently depending on you take it in tablet or capsule form, after meals or before meals, or if you sprinkle the contents of the capsules on your food. Talk to your doctor about how to best take your dose, especially when changing doses are being considered or if your doctor has prescribed another form of tizanidine (tablets or capsules).

This medicine may cause addictive reactions, especially if it has been used frequently for a long time or in high doses. In such cases, addiction symptoms (eg, anxiety, tremors, increased blood pressure / heart rate / muscle tension) may occur if you suddenly stop using the drug. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor. To prevent an addiction reaction, your doctor will decrease your dose slowly. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any immediate addiction reactions.

How is Tizanidine stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Tizanidine dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of Tizanidine for adults?

Standard adult dosage for muscle spasms:

The recommended starting dose of tizanidine for these patients with increased muscle tone associated with spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury is 4 mg orally once a day.

The dose of tizanidine can be repeated when needed with an interval of 6 to 8 hours and a maximum of 3 doses per 24 hours. The dose can be increased gradually (every 4 to 7 days) in 1 to 2 mg increments until the desired response is achieved. The manufacturer recommends a total daily dose not to exceed 36 mg. In addition, the use of a single dose of more than 12 mg is not recommended.

Starting at the lowest dose and then increasing the titration slowly can reduce the risk of adverse side effects. Trials with single doses of more than 8 mg and total daily doses of more than 24 mg are severely limited.

Effects will be visible and gradually diminish within 3 to 6 hours after dosing. Used individually and at the time when the benefits are most felt.

Standard dosage for seniors for muscle spasms:

For elderly patients, an initial dose of 2 mg orally once a day is considered appropriate.

What is the dosage of Tizanidine for children?

There is no provision for the dosage of this drug for children (less than 18 years). This medicine can be dangerous for children. It is important to understand the safety of drugs before use. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

In what dosage is Tizanidine available?

Tizanidine is available in the following dosages:

Capsule

Tablet.

Tizanidine side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to Tizanidine?

Seek medical help immediately if you experience an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor right away if you experience serious side effects:

• Feel dizzy, faint, slow heart rate;
• Hallucinations, confusion, thoughts or behavior that is different from usual;
• Nausea, stomach pain, fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes); or
• Feeling burning or painful when urinating.

Less serious side effects of tizanidine can occur, such as:

• Drowsiness or dizziness
• Feeling anxious or restless;
• Numbness or tingling
• Stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting;
• Fever;
• Mouth feels dry;
• Muscle weakness, back pain;
• Spasms in the muscles increase; or
• Sweating or skin rash.

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Tizanidine Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Tizanidine?

In deciding to use this drug, the risks of using the drug must be weighed carefully with the benefits that will be obtained later. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this remedy, here's what you need to consider:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have had any different reactions or are allergic to this or any other medicine. And tell your doctor if you have certain allergies, such as to food, coloring, preservatives, or animals. For over-the-counter products, read the labels or ingredients on the packaging carefully.

Children

Further studies have not been conducted on the relationship between age and the effect of tizanidine in the pediatric population. Safety and success have not been proven.

Elderly

Research conducted to date has not shown specific problems in geriatrics regarding the limited use of tizanidine in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have kidney problems requiring vigilance in patients receiving this drug.

Is Tizanidine safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

Tizanidine Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Tizanidine?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Although several drugs should not be used simultaneously, in other cases two different drugs may be used simultaneously even if interactions are possible. In this case, your doctor may change the dose, or other precautions may be needed. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs.

Using this medication with any of the following drugs is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this drug or change some of the medicines you have used.

• Amifampridine
• Bepridil
• Ciprofloxacin
• Cisapride
• Dronedarone
• Fluvoxamine
• Mesoridazine
• Pimozide
• Saquinavir
• Sparfloxacin
• Terfenadine
• Thioridazine
• Ziprasidone

Using this medication with any of the following drugs is usually not recommended, but may be needed in some cases. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or reduce the frequency with which one or both drugs are used.

• Acyclovir
• Alfentanil
• Alfuzosin
• Amiodarone
• Anagrelide
• Anileridine
• Aripiprazole
• Arsenic Trioxide
• Asenapine
• Astemizole
• Bedaquiline
• Buprenorphine
• Buserelin
• Cimetidine
• Citalopram
• Clarithromycin
• Codeine
• Crizotinib
• Cyclobenzaprine
• Dabrafenib
• Degarelix
• Delamanid
• Deslorelin
• Desogestrel
• Dienogest
• Disopyramide
• Dofetilide
• Domperidone
• Droperidol
• Drospirenone
• Erythromycin
• Escitalopram
• Estradiol Valerate
• Ethinyl Estradiol
• Ethynodiol Diacetate
• Famotidine
• Fentanyl
• Flecainide
• Fluconazole
• Fluoxetine
• Gatifloxacin
• Gestodene
• Gonadorelin
• Goserelin
• Halofantrine
• Haloperidol
• Histrelin
• Hydrocodone
• Hydromorphone
• Hydroquinidine
• Hydroxychloroquine
• Ibutilide
• Iloperidone
• Ivabradine
• Ketoconazole
• Lapatinib
• Leuprolide
• Levofloxacin
• Levonorgestrel
• Levorphanol
• Lumefantrine
• Mefloquine
• Meperidine
• Mestranol
• Methadone
• Metronidazole
• Mexiletine
• Mizolastine
• Morphine
• Morphine Sulfate Liposome
• Moxifloxacin
• Nafarelin
• Nilotinib
• Norethindrone
• Norfloxacin
• Norgestimate
• Norgestrel
• Ofloxacin
• Ondansetron
• Oxycodone
• Oxymorphone
• Paliperidone
• Panobinostat
• Pasireotide
• Pazopanib
• Peginterferon Alfa-2b
• Pentamidine
• Pixantrone
• Posaconazole
• Procainamide
• Propafenone
• Propoxyphene
• Quetiapine
• Quinidine
• Quinine
• Ranolazine
• Remifentanil
• Rofecoxib
• Sertindole
• Sevoflurane
• Sodium Phosphate
• Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
• Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
• Sotalol
• Sufentanil
• Sunitinib
• Suvorexant
• Tacrolimus
• Tapentadol
• Telithromycin
• Tetrabenazine
• Ticlopidine
• Triptorelin
• Umeclidinium
• Vandetanib
• Vemurafenib
• Verapamil
• Vinflunine
• Voriconazole
• Zileuton

Using this medication with one of the following drugs will increase your risk of certain side effects, but taking the two drugs at the same time may be the best treatment for you. If both drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or frequency of use of one or both drugs.

• Fosphenytoin
• Lisinopril
• Phenytoin

Can food or alcohol interact with Tizanidine?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with Tizanidine?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, in particular:

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease — Use with caution. The effect may be increased due to the slowly leaving the drug in the body.

Tizanidine overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Symptoms of an overdose include:

• Sleepy
• Excessive fatigue
• Feel confused
• Slow heart rate
• Fainting
• Dizzy
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of consciousness

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.