The Additional Information About Zanaflex Medication

This literature is will help you if you are looking for additional information about Zanaflex medication, or if you have been prescribed the muscle relaxant Zanaflex (Tizanidine Hydrochloride) by your physician, and you are unsure about what it is and how it should be used.

Zanaflex (Tizanidine Hydrochloride) is available in tablet or capsule form. Two strengths are available in tablet form 2 milligram and 4 milligram. You can tell which form of Zanaflex medication you have by looking at the color:  2 milligram strength tablets are blue, and 4 milligram strength tablets are white. Zanaflex (Tizanidine Hydrochloride) is also available in capsule form. The 2 milligram capsules of Zanaflex are blue in color and the 4 milligram capsules are white and blue. You can also get Zanaflex (Tizanidine Hydroshloride) in light blue six milligram capsules. Zanaflex should be used for the short term management of spasticity. When the muscles in the body become stiff and rigid, spasticity takes place and this makes movement very difficult. Blocking excessive nerve cell firing which controls the movement of muscles, is the way in which this prescription drug works for you.

At first 4 milligrams of Zanaflex should be taken once in every six to eight hours, and this can only be repeated three times in 24 hours. The dosage of Zanaflex must be increased in two to four milligram increments slowly as advised by the doctor to gain maximum effects from the muscle relaxant. The maximum daily dosage of Zanaflex (Tizanidine Hydrochloride) is 36 milligrams. People that have kidney problems should receive prescriptions for a smaller dose of Zanaflex (Tizanidine Hydrochloride).

If Zanaflex is taken with oral contraceptives, it will be difficult for Zanaflex to leave the body. When Zanaflex is taken along with alcohol or other Central Nervous System depressants, there might be adverse effects.

A known side effect of Zanaflex (Tizanidine Hydrochloride) is that it can cause low blood pressure. Some liver injuries have been reported with the usage of Zanaflex (Tizandine Hydrochloride). The side effects that a person might experience while taking Zanaflex is dry mouth, low blood pressure, drowsiness, heartburn, sleepiness, anxiety, blurred vision, strange speech patterns, increased sweating, back pain, and abnormal liver functions.

This medication can be taken along with food or milk if you suffer from any stomach upset. When using Zanaflex a person can experience drowsiness, so people should be careful while using it when near heavy machinery, including while driving an automobile. Zanaflex (Tizanidine Hydrochloride) should be stored in a cool, dry and dark place that is out of the reach of children. Zanaflex (Tizanidine Hydrochloride) can become less potent in sunlight. Take any missed doses of medicine as soon as you remember, unless it is close to the time of your next dose. If this happens, skip your forgotten dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Don’t ever take a double dose of Zanaflex (Tizanidine Hydrochloride). Contact your physician at once if you have blurry vision or increased muscle pain, weakness and tenderness.