What is Tizanidine?

What is Tizanidine?

Tizanidine is a drug used to treat painful muscle spasms. Commercially, it is marketed as Tizanidine hydrochloride, a centrally acting alpha-2 agonist. In other words, it comes in the category of skeletal muscle relaxants.

What are the indications of Tizanidine?

Tizanidine is used to treat painful muscle spasms, especially caused by neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis.

What is the dose of Tizanidine?

Maximum initial dose of Tizanidine is 6mg per day in three equally divided doses. The dose can be increased up to 12 to 36 mg per day gradually. You may start with Tizanidine tablet 2mg, three times a day. If the symptoms do no subside, you may use Tizanidine 4mg, 3 times a day.

In what forms Tizanidine is available?

It is available in tablet form in 2 mg and 4mg strengths.

How to use Tizanidine tablet?

It is taken orally in divided doses. 2 to 4 tablets can be taken in 3 divided doses in a day.

What are contraindications of Tizanidine?

Hypersensitivity to Tizanidine and impaired liver functions are the contraindications to using Tizanidine tablet.

What are the precautions to be considered while using Tizanidine?

Tizanidine should be used carefully in the patients with renal impairment. Lower doses should be used in such patients. It is better to get liver function tests (LFTs) before starting Tizanidine tablet. Due to its hypotensive effect, Tizanidine should be used carefully with antihypertensive agents like diuretics, beta-blocking agents and digoxin. Also, be careful when you are on alcohol or sedatives as such agents enhance sedative effect of Tizanidine.

How to monitor the use of Tizanidine?

Tizanidine should be monitored with LFTs and renal functions tests.

Is Tizanidine safe in pregnancy and lactation?

Tizanidine comes in category C. Its safety in pregnancy and lactation is yet not known. It is better to avoid taking Tizanidine tablets when you are pregnant or breast-feeding your baby.

What are the side effects of Tizanidine?

Side effects of Tizanidine tablet include fatigue, dizziness, dry mouth, hypotension, disturbed sleep, decreased heart rate and muscle weakness.

When to discontinue Tizanidine tablet?

Discontinue Tizanindine tablets when your LFTs are deranged or when your serum levels of SGPT or SGOT are above the three times of upper normal range.

What is the treatment of Tizanidine overdose or toxicity?

Supportive measures are carried out in the case of toxicity or overdose of Tizanidine. Gastric lavage with activated charcoal can be done to clear the stomach (stomach wash). Be sure that the patient is well hydrated. Other features of Tizanidine toxicity can be managed by symptomatic measures.

What are the brand names available for Tizanidine?

Movax, Zanaflex, Tizorel, Tizigood, Tizadin, Ternelin, Soneta, Rexant, Maxlax, Fernor are some other brand names for Tizanidine.

What is the price of Tizanidine tablets?

Ten tablets of Tizanidine 2mg cost 112 PKRs or $1.09. Similarly, a pack of ten tablets of Tizanidine 4mg costs 140 PKRs or $1.37.

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Keywords: Tizanidine hydrochloride, Muscle relaxants, Movax, Interactions, Drug information, Indications, Contraindications, Side effects, multiple sclerosis, Price