Introduction
Tizadin is a muscle relaxer. It provides relief from the discomfort associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions such as rigidity, tension, stiffness, and muscle spasms.
Tizadin can be taken with or without food. Generally, you should try to use the smallest amount necessary to control your symptoms, for the shortest possible time. You should take this medicine regularly while you need it. Try not to miss doses as this will make the medicine less effective.
Some common side effects of this medicine include dry mouth, sleepiness, diarrhea, tiredness, and dizziness. If any of these side effects do not go away or get worse, you should let your doctor know. Your doctor may be able to suggest ways of preventing or reducing the symptoms.
To make sure it is safe for you, before taking this medicine, let your doctor know if you have any medical conditions or disorders. You should also tell your doctor all the other medicines you are using or taking. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctors before using this medicine.
Side effects of Tizadin
Common
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Dryness in mouth
- Upset stomach
How to use Tizadin
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Tizadin may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Tizadin works
Tizadin is a muscle relaxant. It works on the centres in the brain and spinal cord to relieve muscle stiffness or spasm without reduction in strength. This improves pain and movement of muscles.
What if you forget to take Tizadin?
If you miss a dose of Tizadin, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Indication
Spasticity, Painful muscle spasm
Adult Dose
Oral
Muscle Spasticity
Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury
Initial: 2 mg q6-8hr; no more than 3 doses q24hr
Maintenance: Increase by 2 to 4 mg until satisfactory response is achieved with minimum 1-4 days between dose increments
Not to exceed 36 mg/day
Painful muscle spasm associated with musculoskeletal conditions
Adult: 2-4 mg tid.
Elderly: Not recommended.
Hepatic impairment: Avoid or use with extreme caution.
Child Dose
Child < 18 years: Not recommended
Renal Dose
Renal impairment:
CrCl (ml/min) Dosage Recommendation
<25 Initially, 2 mg once daily, gradually increasing the dose before increasing the frequency of admin.
Contraindication
Severe hepatic dysfunction.
Mode of Action
Tizanidine, an alpha2-adrenergic agonist, is a centrally acting muscle relaxant structurally related to clonidine. It reduces spasticity by increasing presynaptic inhibition of motor neurons and has no direct effect on skeletal muscle, the neuromuscular junction or on monosynaptic spinal reflexes.
Precaution
Hepatic or renal insufficiency. Children, elderly, pregnancy and lactation. Monitor LFT regularly. Stop treatment if liver enzymes are raised persistently >3 times upper limit of normal range. Avoid abrupt withdrawal of therapy.
Lactation: May be excreted in breast milk due to lipophilic nature; use caution
Side Effect
>10%
Dry mouth (46-50%),Somnolence (46-50%),Dizziness (16-20%),Asthenia (10-45%)
1-10%
Blurred vision (3%),Constipation (4%),Infection (6%),LFT abnormalities (3-5%),Speech disorder (3%),Vomiting (3%),Urinary frequency (3%),UTI (10%)
Frequency Not Defined
Asthenia,Bradycardia,Hypotension,Orthostatic hypotension,Syncope (rare)
Potentially Fatal: Hepatitis.
Interaction
Potentiates hypotensive effect of antihypertensives. Increased CNS effects with alcohol and CNS depressants. Increased bradycardia with ?-blockers and digoxin. Increased serum concentration of tizanidine with CYP1A2 inhibitors e.g. zileuton, ciprofloxacin and other fluoroquinolones, antiarrhythmics, cimetidine, famotidine, oral contraceptives, aciclovir and ticlopidine. Decreased serum concentrations of tizanidine with rifampicin. Use with caution with drugs that may prolong QT interval.