Zanaflex Information

Zanaflex

Tizanidine (brandnames Zanaflex, Sirdalud) is a drug that is used as a muscle relaxant. It is a centrally acting α-2 adrenergic agonist. It is used to treat the spasms, cramping, and tightness of muscles caused by medical problems such as multiple sclerosis, spastic diplegia, back pain, or certain other injuries to the spine or central nervous system. It is also prescribed off-label for migraine headaches, as a sleep aid, and as an anticonvulsant. It is also prescribed for some symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Tizanidine may cause hypotension, so caution is advised when it is used in patients who have a history of orthostatic hypotension. Use caution with this drug as it can be very strong even at the 2 mg dose. Also use caution when switching from gel cap to tablet form and vice versa.

What's inside Zanaflex

Recent Zanaflex Side Effects

Posted by martha313305 about 1 month ago
I took Zanaflex for the first time last night. I have muscle spasms and find it hard to sleep. I never really feel asleep with Zanaflex. In fact, it put me in a dream like world, I kept seeing different pictures, scenes, but when I wanted to think about something myself (as one usually does before one goes to sleep), I couldn't. The drug wouldn't let me, it would put me in this weird world between sleep and awake. Pretty scary. I will not take it any longer. The dossage I took was 4 mg.

Posted by iieyesblue13ii 5 months ago
I am 43 yrs. old and have had 2 back surgeries and other procedures to help elevate my pain, but to no avail. I am now on 60 mg of oxycontin and dilaudid for pain which seem to be finally making a difference. And for some reason my doctor has put me on zanaflex also. I took one dose and I don't know if I wasn't to continue, last night was the first dose and I had a strange feeling as I was falling sleep that I was going to die!!! As I tried to wake myself up out of the drowsiness it subsided and I fell asleep. When I woke up I remembered having strange dreams about my mother and my brother both who has passed away in the past 2 1/2 years. I mean really bizarre dreams that make no sense. I believe it to be because of the zanaflex. Does anyone else have these problems??

Posted by mykdaniels about 1 year ago
Hallucinations, clumsy like a drunk, extreme short term memory loss, my husband recorded me with camera and it shocked me to the core. I had no idea it was effected me. I too as some is taking it for back pain from lower and 2 upper neck surgeries. I am going to Dr. today to discuss other options. My prayers to you all.

Zanaflex in the News

Acorda Therapeutics Q4 Loss Widens On Expenses - RTT News
The company reported gross sales of Zanaflex Capsules of $11.8 million and gross sales of Zanaflex of $1.0 million, providing combined gross sales of $12.8 ...
Mon Feb 11 07:21:17 +0000 2008

Acorda Sinks on Forecast Wider 2008 Loss - Forbes
In the same SEC filing, Acorda said it expects to post a loss of $14 million during the fourth quarter, as sales of the muscle relaxant Zanaflex reached $12 ...
Wed Feb 06 19:03:49 +0000 2008

Conditional plea entered - Bismarck Tribune
... hydrocodone and cyclobenzaprine at a Washburn drugstore; the name "Melissa Anderson" to acquire hydrocodone and zanaflex from a Turtle Lake drugstore; ...
Sat Feb 23 05:08:33 +0000 2008

Zanaflex Chemical Information

tizanidine hydrochloride - The hydrochloride salt form of tizanidine, an imidazoline derivative structurally similar to clonidine and an adrenergic agonist with muscle relaxant property. Tizanidine stimulates alpha2-adrenergic receptors in the central nervous system, thereby inhibiting presynaptic release of norepinephrine and increasing the inhibitory effect on alpha motor neurons and motor reflexes. Tizanidine exerts some activity at the postsynaptic excitatory amino acid receptors and imidazoline receptors which may contribute to the overall reduction in facilitation of spinal motor neurons. Overall, tizanidine hydrochloride causes muscle relaxation, reduces spasticity and antinociceptive effects.