Why is zanaflex prescribed

If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately. Low blood pressure: Symptoms of severe lowering of blood pressure, such as weakness or dizziness, particularly when rising suddenly from a sitting or lying position, may occur.

People who are prone to low blood pressure e. This effect may happen before the dose of medication is enough to reduce the muscle spasticity. Starting this medication at a very low dose and gradually increasing the daily dose helps to reduce the effect of rapidly dropping blood pressure. Mental health: Tizanidine can cause hallucinations e. People with a history of mental health concerns, such as psychosis or schizophrenia are more likely to experience this effect. If you have a history of mental health issues, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Stopping the medication: Stopping this medication suddenly can cause increased muscle spasms, an increase in blood pressure, or a rapid heart rate. Talk to your doctor before stopping this medication. Pregnancy: Tizanidine has not been studied for use by pregnant women. In some animal studies, tizanidine caused birth defects and other pregnancy problems. This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks.

If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately. Breast-feeding: It is not known if tizanidine passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding. Children: The safety and effectiveness of using tizanidine has not been established for children less than 18 years of age.

Seniors: Tizanidine is cleared from the body at a slower rate in older adults. This can result in an increase in the number and severity of side effects. The doctor will take this into consideration when determining the dose you should be taking. If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed. Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter non-prescription , and herbal medications you are taking. What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember.

But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects. How to tell if the drug is working: You should have fewer symptoms of muscle spasms. These symptoms can include muscle tightness, pain, or stiffness. A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled.

Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription. You and your doctor should monitor certain health issues. This can help make sure you stay safe while you take tizanidine. These issues include:. Not every pharmacy stocks this drug. When filling your prescription, be sure to call ahead to make sure your pharmacy carries it.

Many insurance companies require a prior authorization for this drug. This means your doctor may need to get approval from your insurance company before your insurance company will pay for the prescription. There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk with your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional.

You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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If we combine this information with your PHI, we will treat all of that information as PHI, and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of e-mail communications at any time by clicking on the Unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Do not take more than three doses 36 mg in a hour period. Too much of this medicine can damage your liver.

You may take tizanidine with or without food, but take it the same way each time. Switching between taking tizanidine with food and taking it without food can make the medicine less effective or cause increased side effects. Switching between tizanidine tablets and capsules may cause changes in side effects or how well the medicine works. If you make any changes in how you take tizanidine, tell your doctor if you notice any change in side effects or in how well the medicine works. Tizanidine is a short-acting medication, and its effects will be most noticeable between 1 and 3 hours after you take it.

You should take tizanidine only for daily activities that require relief from muscle spasms. If you stop using tizanidine suddenly after long-term use, you may have withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, fast heartbeats, tremors, and anxiety. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine. Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time. Overdose symptoms may include weakness, drowsiness, confusion, slow heart rate, shallow breathing, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

Tizanidine usually starts to work within one to two hours and wears off after about six to eight hours. This medicine can make you feel sleepy, dizzy, or weak. Let your doctor know if you experience any unusual side effects while using tizanidine.