Tizanidine
What is Tizanidine?
Tizanidine acts as a mild relaxer to the muscles which works when the pain is severe enough to warrant intake of long term pain relaxers. The product is commonly known by its brand name Zanaflex. The drug is prescribed so as to combat short-term muscle aches such as cramping, spasms, and paroxysm.
It’s a relief power also make it the perfect choice when it comes to treating stiffening of certain body muscles, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and any other injuries that may be present in the spinal cord. It is these pains that replace and recur that can be controlled by prescribing Zanaflex.
However, despite the tested use of Zanaflex in its ability to do away with general muscular pains, the drug can also be prescribed as off-label. Off-label prescriptions mean that the drug will be prescribed to counter other ailments that have not been approved or a group that is not among the targeted ones. Such conditions that could warrant the issuing of this medication should include:
- Abnormal headaches
- Musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues
- Sleeping aid for the sleep deprived
Tizanidine’s modal action is by blocking the active sites thus interfering with the transfer of nerve impulses to the brain. By doing this, the drug relieves the subjects from excruciating pain.
Tizanidine works by blocking nerve impulses that are sent to your brain. If you are suffering from spasms, cramping, and tightness of the muscles, your doctor may prescribe tizanidine.
Image 1: Tizanidine tablets
Side Effects
Initial use of the medication is followed by individual effects that are not so hard to live with. However, these adverse feelings may go away as time proceeds on. The body finally adapts to the action of Tizanidine and its components. The side effects may include:
- Uncontrolled vomiting
- Feeling exhausted
- Dizziness and faintness
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Pain in the back
- Dehydration of the mouth
- Muscle convulsions
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
It is of grave importance to keep track of these signs and symptoms, and if any of them persist, you should pay a visit to your doctor. The advancement of this effects could lead to a more serious condition that is difficult to bear.
Advanced effects
Continued use of the drug may cause even more adverse effects to the body. The symptoms of its effects may also differ amongst different users. It may exhibit more severe effects on one person and be more lenient to another. There are severe effects that should not be taken lightly whenever they are observed. Such experiences include:
- Jaundice: A condition that is characterized by changing of the skin eyes to yellow.
- Hallucinations
- Reduced heart beats
- Blurred vision
- Pain in the abdomen
- Lack of appetite
- Exhaustion
- Biliousness
Compatibility & Medications
Some medications can be used alongside doses of tizanidine while others cannot be used together as they may have adverse effects. Some antidepressants and antibiotics cannot be used together with tizanidine. These include; fluvoxamine and ciprofloxacin respectively.
Keep your doctor informed of all the medication that you are hooked on to every time you take a new prescription. This applies even for Tizanidine. There also other drugs that cannot be used alongside Tizanidine. These include:
- Acyclovic: Treatment against viral caused infections
- Dronedarome: an antiarrhythmic
- Pimozide: Tourette syndrome treatment
- Saquinavir: an antiretroviral drug
- Thioridazine: an antipsychotic
The effects of the drug in the body are controlled by the components that are present in the food we take. Certain foods may alter the consequences of the drug or either reduce or increase them depending on their metabolism.
The best way to use the drugs controllably to avoid adverse effects may be to regulate the amounts taken per dose and increase the amount as time passes. This dosage as per the prescription should be maintained and followed so as to avoid further complications.
The diet should also be maintained according to the doctor’s instructions. It is also important to note that the use of alcohol while on tizanidine should be discouraged. This is because it increases the level of the drug’s components in the blood stream. Its circulation around the body is also increased, and so do its effects.
Tizanidine Dosage
The drug comes in two prescriptions. These are available in both 2mg and 4 mg tablets and capsules. The effects and metabolism of the either of the medication are different from the other, meaning that the two cannot be used interchangeably. Each prescription is made so as to control a particular condition. Always make sure that you are aware of your type of medication to prevent getting confused.
Tizanidine reacts differently depending on the mode of intake as well as the nature of the stomach as the tablet or capsule lands in the stomach. Its metabolism in an empty stomach differs from that of a full stomach. This can best be demonstrated by crushing the tablet and spilling its contents on food substances.
This will make a demonstration of the effects. The initial dose at prescription is 2mg of the substance but this can be doubled in time depending on the response of the previous dose. A maximum of three doses can be taken in one day. It is the instruction of most physicians to kick off with a low dose and increase it gradually.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Tizanidine use can lead to the setting of a feeling of abandonment. However, this is only in chronic users of the drug. This can also be attributed to use of the drug in excess dosages. Sudden quitting of using the drug can cause the presence of withdrawal symptoms such as:
- High blood pressure
- Muscle spasms and convulsions
- Anxiety
- Shaking
Rather than the immediate stoppage of the drug, it is advisable to reduce the dosage gradually. This helps the body adapt to low levels of the drug before bringing it to an end.
Overdose
Seek for qualified assistance or seek medical attention any time you an excess dosage of tizanidine. An overdose may be characterized by the outbreak of certain signs. These ranges from:
- Unconsciousness
- Excessive sweating
- Interruption of normal breathing
- Chest pains
- Misperception of things
- Dizziness especially when standing from a period of rest
- Paleness of the skin
Points to note
Tizanidine should be used as prescribed by the doctor. All the dosages must be followed to the letter avoiding overdoses and under doses. In case you skip a dosage, take the prescription as soon as you remember. However, this does not warrant one to take a double dose, instead skip the dose and resume regular intake with the next dosage.
References
- Product Information. Zanaflex (tizanidine).” Acorda Therapeutics, Hawthorne, NY.
- Cerner Multum, Inc. “UK Summary of Product Characteristics.” O 0