Details

Tizanidine is a short-acting muscle relaxer. It works by blocking nerve impulses (pain sensations) that are sent to your brain. Tizanidine is used to treat spasticity by temporarily relaxing muscle tone. Tizanidine is a short-acting medication that should be taken only for daily activities that require relief from muscle spasticity. Do not use tizanidine 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. Before using tizanidine, tell your doctor if you have liver disease kidney disease high or low blood pressure or a history of "Long QT syndrome."

Typical Uses

Tizanidine 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.

Side Effects

Common tizanidine side effects may include feeling light-headed, fainting, slow heart rate hallucinations, confusion, unusual thoughts or behaviour nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) or burning or pain when you urinate.

Drug Interactions

• Tizanidine+amlodipine- Tizanidine and amlodipine may have additive effects in lowering your blood pressure. You may experience headache, dizziness, light-headedness, fainting, and/or changes in pulse or heart rate. These side effects are most likely to be seen at the beginning of treatment, following a dose increase, or when treatment is restarted after an interruption.
• Tizanidine+atenolol- Tizanidine and atenolol may have additive effects in lowering your blood pressure. You may experience headache, dizziness, light-headedness, fainting, and/or changes in pulse or heart rate. These side effects are most likely to be seen at the beginning of treatment, following a dose increase, or when treatment is restarted after an interruption.
• Tizanidine+bumetanide- Tizanidine and bumetanide may have additive effects in lowering your blood pressure. You may experience headache, dizziness, light-headedness, fainting, and/or changes in pulse or heart rate. These side effects are most likely to be seen at the beginning of treatment, following a dose increase, or when treatment is restarted after an interruption.
• Tizanidine+disopyramide- Using disopyramide together with tizanidine can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances.

Mechanism of action

Tizanidine belongs to group of medicines called centrally acting muscle relaxants. It acts by blocking the nerve impulses which excites the muscles reducing their tone. As a result, the muscle relaxes and there is reduction of pain and spasms.

Pregnancy Category : C