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It occurs due to MS (a disease where nerves stop functioning effectively). The patients may face numbness, weakness, lack of muscle coordination, and other problems with bladder control, vision, speech, spinal injury, or brain injury. This tablet belongs to a group of medications that is skeletal muscle relaxants. It slows down the activity of the brain & nervous system to enable muscle relaxation.
Tizanidine and Tizanidine HCL – Are they different from each other?
It is a common question that may confuse a lot of people. Well, Tizanidine hydrochloride(Zanaflex) or HCL is a salt form of this medicine (Tizanidine). So, there is no difference as such between these two medicines. They work the same way and have the same uses, side effects, and benefits. They both have muscle relaxant characteristics.
HCL in a tablet means commonly utilized salt and 15.5% of all medications contain it.
What is the correct way of using the tizanidine tablet( Zanaflex)?
This medicine comes in both tablet and capsule form. You must follow the directions on the label and seek help from the doctor if you have any doubts.
The doctor will prescribe you the correct dosage and you should follow it properly. Do not take this tablet in a higher or lower dose than told by the physician.
If taking this medicine in capsule form, you can open it and sprinkle it on soft food items like applesauce. But, speak to your medical expert before you open the capsules as the effects of the medicine may change if you open it and take it than just swallowing the whole capsule.
What is the brand name of Tizanidine?
The brand name of Tizanidine( Sirdalud 2mg) is Zanaflex
Capsule and Tablet form and its absorption in the body
This medicine in tablets and capsules is absorbed differently in the body. It means you cannot substitute a capsule with a tablet and vice versa.
So, while you refill the medicine stock, check whether you got tablets(if using tablets) and capsules(if using capsules) to ensure you got the right form of this medicine. If you get them in-correction medication, speak to your medical expert immediately.
Your medical expert may put you on a lower dose of this medicine and increase it slowly based on your body’s response to this medicine. Keep taking Tizanidine for the same duration as suggested by the medical expert. Do not stop using it, it may increase your heartbeat and blood pressure. You may also experience muscle tightness. The medical expert will reduce your dose slowly.
What are the possible side effects?
The oral tablet may make you feel drowsy. The other side effects(common) are:
- Tiredness
- dry mouth
- weakness
- urinary tract infection
- dizziness
- constipation
- trouble speaking
- vomiting
- runny nose
- vision problems
- sore throat
The common side effects are not harmful and fade away within a couple of days/week. If they stay more than this, speak to your medical expert.
Possible serious side effects of Sirdalud 2mg(Tizanidine)
You may face some serious side effects while using this medicine like
- Hallucinations (seeing unreal things)
- Delusions (believing non-existent things)
- Very low blood pressure (symptoms- light-headedness, dizziness while raising from a lying or sitting position)
- Sedation (symptoms – sleepiness, fatigue, dizziness)
- Liver damage (symptoms – bruising, bleeding, or yellowing of eyes or skin.
Do not ignore the serious side effects and seek medical help without any delays
Does Tizanidine have any drug Interactions?
The oral tablet comes with drug interactions. The interaction can be with other medicines, herbs, or vitamins you are taking. The interaction of medicines with other medications can be harmful or affect the efficacy of the medication.
To prevent possible interactions, your medical expert will manage all your medicines. So, do not forget to tell your medical expert about other drugs, herbs, or vitamins you are taking. The medical expert will help you manage the drug interactions.
How does this medicine work for senior citizens?
In older patients, kidney function is affected due to the aging process. Hence, it can slow down the processing of drugs in their body which means the medicine will stay for a longer time in their body. It can elevate the occurrence of side effects.
So, your medical expert may put you on a lower dose during the initial phase of treatment. It will help prevent the accumulation of the drug in excess in the body.
Useful information
Alcohol
If you are in habit of alcohol consumption and take it with this medicine, it can create drowsiness and dizziness. So, do not consume alcohol/marijuana or engage in activities that need you to be alert. If you are using cannabis or drinking alcoholic beverages please tell your medical expert.
Scheduled surgery
If you have to undergo surgery, inform your medical expert or dentist regarding all the products you are using like prescription/non-prescription drugs, herbal products, etc.
Older people are hypersensitive to the side effects of this medicine especially drowsiness or dizziness. These side effects can elevate the risk of accidental falls.
Follow the Dosage instructions strictly
Tizanidine tablet is prescribed as a short-term as well as long-term treatment option. The medicine comes with some severe risks if not taken as per the instructions of the doctor.
What happens when you discontinue taking all of a sudden or discontinue completely?
Stopping the drug suddenly can put you at risk of withdrawal symptoms. The risk will be more when you are taking higher doses of this medicine or taking it for a lengthy period.
Withdrawal symptoms include
- Faster heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Severe muscle spasms
If you plan to discontinue this medicine, your medical expert will ask you to slowly reduce the dose by 2 to 4 mg per day. If you do not consume this medicine completely, you may not see improvement in muscle spasms.
What if you miss a dose according to the dosing schedule?
Missing a dose may affect the results of the medicine or it may not work at all. Missing several doses will result in withdrawal symptoms.
What if you take excessive amounts of Sirdalud 2mg(Tizanidine)?
Taking the medicine in excess can accumulate more of this medicine in the body. You may face withdrawal symptoms like:
- Confusion
- extreme tiredness
- coma
- drop in blood pressure
- decreased heart rate
- slowed breathing
If you consume excess amounts of this medicine, seek emergency help or call your physician immediately.
What tests can you expect during the treatment with Tizanidine?
Your doctor will monitor your health issues. It will help you know you stay healthy while taking this medicine. He may check for some issues like
Liver function
The medical expert may ask you to get blood tests to check the function of your liver. If there are issues with your liver, he may reduce the dose of this medicine.
Blood Pressure
Your medical expert will monitor your blood pressure to ensure it doesn’t drop considerably while you are taking this medicine.
Kidney function
The medical experts will ask you to get blood tests to check the function of your kidneys. If he finds problems with kidney function, he may reduce the dose of this drug.