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What is Zanaflex
TizanidineThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryTizanidine is a medication used to treat muscle spasms. Muscle spasms can be caused by conditions such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, brain injury, or spinal cord injury. It works by blocking the signals that cause muscle spasms, which makes them less painful and easier to control. Tizanidine was approved by the FDA in 1996 and is a fast-acting drug.
Zanaflexis the brand name
Zanaflex Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Zanaflex
Tizanidine
1997
289
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Tizanidine, also known as Zanaflex, is approved by the FDA for 1 uses including Spasticity, Muscle .Spasticity, Muscle
Helps manage Spasticity, Muscle
Effectiveness
How Zanaflex Affects PatientsTizanidine is a medicine designed to reduce the spasticity of muscles, which is when they contract and relax involuntarily. This can cause reduced mobility and a lot of pain, which can make it difficult to carry out everyday activities. It works by binding to Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor sites and helps to reduce muscle spasm and clonus. It has a stronger effect on polysynaptic reflexes (when several relay neurons communicate with motor neurons that control muscle movement). Taking tizanidine can lower heart rate and blood pressure, but it can cause a rise in these if it is stopped suddenly.
How Zanaflex works in the bodyTizanidine works by blocking nerve signals that cause muscle spasms. It does this by attaching to alpha-2 adrenergic receptors, which are located on the nerves. This stops the release of certain excitatory neurotransmitters, like glutamate and aspartate, which tell the muscles to contract. Tizanidine also has a weak effect on the cardiovascular system, due to its attachment to alpha-1 receptors.
When to interrupt dosage
The suggested quantity of Zanaflex is contingent upon the diagnosed condition, such as Insomnia, smooth muscle relaxation before radiological procedures and Spasticity, Muscle. The amount of dosage may differ, in line with the administration approach (e.g. Kit; Tablet - Oral or Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral) presented in the following table.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Pain relief
, 4.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 6.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Oral; Topical
Withdrawal From Addictive Substance; Detoxification
, 4.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 6.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Oral; Topical
Epilepsy
, 4.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 6.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Oral; Topical
Migraine
, 4.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 6.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Oral; Topical
Analgesics
, 4.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 6.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Oral; Topical
Insomnia
, 4.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 6.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Oral; Topical
Analgesics
, 4.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 6.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Oral; Topical
Drug Withdrawal Headache
, 4.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 6.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Oral; Topical
Acute Low Back Pain
, 4.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 6.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Oral; Topical
Muscle Relaxation
, 4.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 6.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Oral; Topical
Chronic Pain
, 4.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 6.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Oral; Topical
Spasticity, Muscle
, 4.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 6.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Oral; Topical
Therapeutic procedure
, 4.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 6.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Oral; Topical
Warnings
Zanaflex has four contraindications and should not be administered alongside the ailments noted in the following table.Zanaflex ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
when this drug is needed to maintain basic function, including maintenance of upright posture and balance in locomotion
Do Not Combine
patients who are hypersensitive to any component of this product
Do Not Combine
Pulse Frequency
Do Not Combine
Pulse Frequency
Do Not Combine
Common Zanaflex Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Acenocoumarol
Major
The metabolism of Acenocoumarol can be decreased when combined with Tizanidine.
Aminophylline
Major
The metabolism of Aminophylline can be decreased when combined with Tizanidine.
Amitraz
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Tizanidine is combined with Amitraz.
Axitinib
Major
The metabolism of Axitinib can be decreased when combined with Tizanidine.
Azelastine
Major
Tizanidine may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Azelastine.
Zanaflex Toxicity & Overdose RiskTizanidine has an LD50 (the amount of a drug needed to cause toxicity in half of the test animals) of 414mg/kg when taken orally by rats and 282mg/kg when taken subcutaneously by rats. In mice, the oral LD50 is 235mg/kg. Animal studies have determined that this drug can cause harm to unborn babies, so it should only be used if the benefits outweigh the risks. It is also likely that tizanidine is excreted in breast milk, and young nursing rats given the drug have shown signs of central nervous system changes. Tizanidine has not been
Zanaflex Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Zanaflex?
Currently, 389 clinical trials are being conducted to assess the potential of Zanaflex in alleviating Insomnia, Chronic Pain and Epileptic Symptoms.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Analgesics
0 Actively Recruiting
Chronic Pain
174 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 3, Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 4, Early Phase 1
Withdrawal From Addictive Substance; Detoxification
0 Actively Recruiting
Spasticity, Muscle
10 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 2
Migraine
52 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 4, Early Phase 1
Insomnia
89 Actively Recruiting
Phase 4, Not Applicable, Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 1, Early Phase 1
Drug Withdrawal Headache
0 Actively Recruiting
Muscle Relaxation
0 Actively Recruiting
Pain relief
17 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 3, Phase 2, Phase 4, Phase 1, Early Phase 1
Acute Low Back Pain
0 Actively Recruiting
Therapeutic procedure
0 Actively Recruiting
Analgesics
0 Actively Recruiting
Epilepsy
54 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 3, Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 4, Early Phase 1
Zanaflex Reviews: What are patients saying about Zanaflex?
5Patient Review
10/12/2021 I take this medication before bed when needed, and I wake up feeling so much better than I would have otherwise.
5Patient Review
10/8/2022 This medication has given me more relief than anything else I have tried.
5Patient Review
10/8/2022 This medication is much more effective than anything else I've tried.
5Patient Review
10/12/2021 I take this medication before bed when needed, and it really helps me sleep through the night without feeling stiff in the morning.
4.3Patient Review
2/7/2022 Given my age and being on Medicare, this is the drug that was chosen for me. It doesn't have nearly as many side effects as other muscle relaxers. Yes, it makes me a bit sleepy, but I don't get constipated and I don't feel drowsy when I wake up in the morning. It helps with my muscle spasms, but I wish it did more. If I take a second one at night, it's more helpful, but then I can feel pretty groggy. So overall, I suggest trying it!
4.3Patient Review
2/7/2022 Given my age and Medicare status, this was the drug chosen for me. It's had fewer side effects than other muscle relaxers I've tried. It does make me a bit sleepy but there's no constipation and I don't feel drowsy when I wake up in the morning. It helps with my muscle spasms but I wish it did more. If I take two at night, it's more helpful but then I can feel pretty groggy in the morning.
4Patient Review
5/1/2022 I have biliary dyskinesia and take 4mg twice a day. It's been a big help with the pain and discomfort. So far, I haven't noticed any negative side effects.
4Patient Review
4/7/20214Patient Review
5/1/2022 This medication has been a big help for managing the pain and discomfort of biliary dyskinesia. I haven't experienced any negative side effects so far.
4Patient Review
4/7/20213.7Patient Review
12/14/2021 While this medication has some pretty severe side effects, it's the only thing that helps me get to sleep. I've been dealing with chronic pain ever since my accident in 2010, and this is the only relief I've found.
3.7Patient Review
12/14/2021 This medicine has made me hallucinate, faint, have irregular heart rate, and muscle twitching in my legs; however, it is the only medication that helps me sleep. I take 4mg w 50mg of benadryl every night.
2.3Patient Review
4/24/2021 I've got a spinal stimulator and permanent nerve damage. I take this med every night to help with the pain. It can make you pretty drowsy, so only take it when you're ready to sleep. Another downside is that it gives me really dry mouth; however, it's better than waking up in the middle of the night with debilitating charlie horses.
2.3Patient Review
4/24/2021 I have a spinal stimulator and permanent nerve damage. I take this medication every night before bed. It can make you very drowsy, so only take it when you're ready to sleep. Additionally, it gives me pretty bad dry mouth; however, the benefits of taking it outweigh the negative side effects.
1Patient Review
4/19/2022 I tried taking tizanidine, but it didn't work for me at all. I even took two pills and still felt nothing. The only thing it made me feel was tired, but I couldn't fall asleep.
1Patient Review
2/23/2022 The hallucinations and nightmares this medication gave me were absolutely horrifying. I couldn't even sleep with the lights off. I would not recommend this to anyone.
1Patient Review
2/23/2022 The side effects of this medication were so severe that I had to ask my husband to keep the lights on in our room all night. I was seeing scary images and having nightmares. It was honestly the worst experience of my life. I would never take this medication again.
1Patient Review
4/19/2022 I tried tizanidine and it didn't work for me at all. I even took two pills, but the only thing it did was make me feel tired.
1Patient Review
7/25/2021 I felt like I was drugged when I took this. It was a terrible experience.
1Patient Review
7/25/2021 This drug made me feel drowsy and groggy, like I'd been given anesthesia. It was a terrible experience.
Patient Q&A Section about zanaflex
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.What is the drug Zanaflex used for?
"This medication is used to treat muscle spasms caused by certain conditions (such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury). It works by helping to relax the muscles."
Answered by AI
Do Zanaflex make you sleepy?
"This medicine may cause you to feel sleepy, dizzy, or weak. Be sure to take it at a time when you don't have to be alert. Tell your doctor if you experience any unusual side effects while using tizanidine."
Answered by AI
Is Zanaflex and Xanax the same?
"Zanaflex is not a combination of Xanax and Flexeril, despite the similar sounding names. Zanaflex and Flexeril work in similar ways by blocking nerve impulses to the brain, but they are different drugs."
Answered by AI