Get Informed: Zanaflex
Active Ingredient(s)
Tizanidine
What does it do?
This product is used in the management of spasticity. Its mechanism of action is not well known, but it is thought that is stops specific neurons from firing too often which causes muscles to become spastic.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 2:27 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:52 PM
Other Names
- Zanaflex
- Tizanidine
- Tizanidine Hydrochloride
- Sirdalud
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 27 Nov 1996
- Est US Patients*
- 835,400
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Zanaflex or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Zanaflex
There have been no alerts regarding Zanaflex during the past year.
Zanaflex Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Zanaflex used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 4,800 patients that use Zanaflex (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle Spasms | 56% | 
|
| Pain | 16% | 
|
| Back / Neck Pain | 11% |
|
| Restless Leg Syndrome | 9% |
|
| Migraine / Headache | 7% |
|
| Fibromyalgia | 4% | 
|
| Insomnia | 2% |
|
| Other | 18% |
|
How well does Zanaflex work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 4,800 users taking Zanaflex (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 73%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Zanaflex outweigh the bad things.
- 15%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Zanaflex.
Common Side Effects of Zanaflex
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 4,800 users taking Zanaflex (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
48% of patients experience side-effects on Zanaflex
10% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Zanaflex
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Drowsiness
-
Dizziness
-
Dryness
-
Memory/Speech Problems
-
Constipation
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Dehydration, Mood/Behavior Problems
Global Patient Feedback for Zanaflex (Tizanidine) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
In 2007 I was diagnosed with a herniated disk. Was put on pain medication and given an epidural block. Was able to go off of my pain medication after that and then about 6 months after that had to have another epidural block done that second block lasted until April of 2009 and then I got really bad to the point that I had to use crutches just to help me walk because my left leg would give out on me and I would drop to the ground. If it wasn't for Tizanidine and an injection in my hip I would still be using crutches to walk. My dosage is 1/2 to 1 pill 3 times a day and 2-3 at bedtime. I have dry mouth but I'm with the rest of you if it works like this I can live with the dry mouth. I used to use flexaril and that was okay but the Tizanidine does a much better job.
42 year old, female
42 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-30 09:46:36
Question/Comment:
This has caused me to have a much better quality of life by far! I have been suffering from chronic muscle spasms (which causes chronic headache) and fibromyalgia. I was not able to rest very well at all before my doctor prescribed me this. Now, I take 3/4 of one in the a.m. to help relax the spasms enough for me to make it through the day (a full pill would make me too sleepy) and I take 2 at night before bed. I used to toss and turn for hours trying to get comfortable enough to sleep. Now, I take my 2 about 30-45 minutes before bed and I sleep so hard! It's great. I do also get a bit of a dry mouth, but I can live with a dry mouth more that I can the spasms and inability to sleep. I thank God for this medication.
37 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-25 23:01:22
Question/Comment:
I am into my 2nd month of taking this and have found that it is helping me with my spasms without the other side affects that I have had with other drugs for the same simptums. As a matter of fact my mother in law asked my husband what I was on because my mood had been much better then it had been for years. I will live with he dry mouth to get rid of the spasms.
42 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-02 23:50:51
Answer/Reply:
I have tried other meds for muscle spasms. But Tizanidine is a new one for me. I just started this myself. I don't know if its helping but I do know it makes me sleepy. In a couple more months I hope it helps,
32 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-24 14:49:59
Question/Comment:
This has been DCd.
58 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-26 11:43:16
Question/Comment:
I was given samples of this drug for MS related spasticity. I'm not sure if it is helping, but I have noticed that it makes my mouth very dry.
60 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-12 16:22:06
Answer/Reply:
If you do not notice a difference in decreaed spasticity, perhaps you should ask your doctor about taking Baclofen.
If I forgot to take the Tizanidine late a.m., painfully and very slowly, I barely walked a block to go to lunch and met the others there. After taking Tizanidine I walked amazingly well. Kept up, with no problem. People I was with where "confused". It happened more than a couple of times.
Within 15 minutes it totally relieved unbearable cramps, particluarly in my feet, but occurring elsewhere as well. The cramps, once started, would last 1 to 2 hours, and the pain for 24 or more, so I have one with me at all times.
A friend with the same problem found the above true for herself.
Good luck.
53 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-31 17:41:51
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40
Patient Comments about
Zanaflex