Tizanidine
- What is it for
Tizanidine is used to control muscle spasms or rigidity (stiffness) in certain types of movement disorders. Tizanidine helps to relax the muscles.
Tizanidine
- Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications
What side effects can
Tizanidine
cause?
Like all medicines, this medication may cause some possible side effects but not everyone experiences them. Consult your healthcare professional if any of the side effects lasts more than a few days or become severe and bothersome.
Common side effects include:
- Dizziness, low blood pressure
- Get up slowly from sitting or lying down position
- Drowsiness, muscle weakness
- Have sufficient rest
- Avoid driving or operate machinery or engage in strenuous physical activities
- Dry mouth
- Ensure adequate hydration
- Constipation
- Ensure adequate hydration and fiber intake
Very rarely, this medication may cause:
- Hallucinations (seeing things that are not really there)
- Liver problems: Dark coloured urine or light-coloured stools, yellowing of your eyes or skin, severe loss of appetite, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting that does not go away
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
- Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
- Difficulty in breathing
- Itchy skin rashes over your whole body
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
Before taking
Tizanidine
, what precautions must I follow?
Inform your healthcare professional if:
- You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
- You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
- You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies
- You have liver, kidney or heart problems
What food or medicine must I avoid when I take
Tizanidine
?
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication.
- Some medications may interact with this medication (including antibiotics). Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you want to take any other medicines, supplements or herbal products.
Tizanidine
- Dosage and How to Use
How should
Tizanidine
be used?
- Follow the instructions on your medicine label and take the medicine as prescribed by your doctor.
- You may take the medication with or without food, but you should take it the same way every time i.e. either always with or always without food.
- You may not experience any effect immediately after starting the medication as it may take up to a few weeks before this medication can exert its full effects. You should continue to take your medicines regularly as instructed by your doctor even if you feel well. Stopping your medicines without informing your healthcare professionals may cause your condition to become worse quickly.
- Do not stop taking or adjust the dose of this medication, change brands or dosage forms of the medication without consulting your healthcare professionals.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.
Tizanidine
- Storage
How should I store
Tizanidine
?
- Keep away from children
- Keep in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight
How should I dispose of
Tizanidine
safely?
Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.