This article describes possible interactions with tizanidine oral tablet. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
To find coupon options for tizanidine and to learn more about the drug, including its uses, see this article.
Tizanidine comes as tablets and capsules that you’ll swallow. Interactions with tizanidine are the same regardless of the form you take.
Other drugs and tizanidine
Drugs that may interact with tizanidine oral tablet are listed below. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with tizanidine. Talk with your doctor if you are taking any of these medications before starting tizanidine. In some cases they may need to adjust your dose of tizanidine, or switch you to a different medication that’s safer for you to take.
Drugs that may interact with tizanidine oral tablet include:
- opioid drugs:
- drug examples: tramadol (Conzip, Qdolo), fentanyl (Fentora, others)
- what might happen: can cause central nervous system (CNS) depression, which may be severe and cause symptoms such as severe sleepiness
- benzodiazepines:
- drug examples: alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin)
- what might happen: can cause CNS depression, which may be severe and cause symptoms such as severe sleepiness
- birth control pills:
- drug examples: ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel (Twirla, others), ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone (Aranelle)
- what might happen: can raise the risk of side effects caused by tizanidine, including low blood pressure and slow heart rate
- gabapentin (Neurontin, others):
- what might happen: can cause CNS depression, which may be severe and cause symptoms such as severe sleepiness
- baclofen (Lyvispah, others):
- what might happen: can cause CNS depression, which may be severe and cause symptoms such as severe sleepiness
- ciprofloxacin (Cipro):
- what might happen: can raise the risk of side effects caused by tizanidine, including low blood pressure and slow heart rate
- clonidine (Catapres):
- what might happen: can raise the risk of low blood pressure as a side effect from tizanidine or clonidine
- fluvoxamine (Luvox):
- what might happen: can raise the risk of side effects caused by tizanidine, including low blood pressure and slow heart rate
- amiodarone (Pacerone):
- what might happen: can raise the risk of side effects caused by tizanidine, including low blood pressure and slow heart rate
- famotidine (Pepcid AC):
- what might happen: can raise the risk of side effects caused by tizanidine, including low blood pressure and slow heart rate
Health factors and tizanidine
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with tizanidine oral tablet. Before taking tizanidine, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll talk with you about tizanidine warnings and determine whether tizanidine is right for you.
Here’s a list of health conditions or other factors that might interact with tizanidine oral tablet:
- kidney conditions
- liver conditions
- low blood pressure
- pregnancy or breastfeeding
- past allergic reaction to tizanidine
Questions about tizanidine and interactions
Here you’ll find answers to some common questions about tizanidine and possible interactions.
Does tizanidine have interactions with ibuprofen?
No, tizanidine isn’t known to interact with ibuprofen. There aren’t reports of interactions between these drugs.
Tizanidine does interact with some medications that contain ibuprofen as an ingredient. But these interactions are caused by ingredients besides ibuprofen. For example, tizanidine interacts with a combination drug containing hydrocodone and ibuprofen. But this interaction is caused by hydrocodone, not ibuprofen.
Talk with your doctor if you have additional questions about interactions with ibuprofen.
Is it safe to take acetaminophen together with tizanidine?
Yes, if your doctor specifically says it’s safe for you to do so.
In rare cases, both tizanidine and acetaminophen can cause liver damage as a side effect. Taking these drugs together could raise your risk of this side effect. But this is very rare, unless you have an existing liver condition or take a higher than recommended dose of acetaminophen or tizanidine.
Talk with your doctor if you’d like to learn more about taking acetaminophen with tizanidine.
When to avoid tizanidine
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with tizanidine oral tablet. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe tizanidine in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a list of contraindications for tizanidine oral tablet:
- Taking a drug that blocks CYP1A2.* If you’re taking a drug that blocks the enzyme CYP1A2 and also take tizanidine, you may have a higher risk of side effects from tizanidine. Examples of these drugs include fluvoxamine (Luvox) and ciprofloxacin (Cipro).
- Past allergic reaction to tizanidine. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to tizanidine oral tablet in the past, taking tizanidine oral tablet may cause an allergic reaction to occur again.
Before starting treatment with tizanidine, tell your doctor if anything listed above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should take tizanidine.
* ”CYP1A2” stands for cytochrome 1A2. These are a group of enzymes (special proteins) that speed up processes in the body. CYP1A2 helps break down certain drugs, including tizanidine. Blocking this enzyme can raise the amount of tizanidine in your system, which may raise your risk of side effects.
Alcohol and tizanidine
Tizanidine oral tablet is known to interact with alcohol.
Taking tizanidine oral tablet and drinking alcohol may cause:
- sleepiness
- problems with balance and coordination
- weakness
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment
with tizanidine oral tablet.
Other interactions and tizanidine
Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether tizanidine oral tablet has these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with tizanidine.
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Get free cardTizanidine and supplements
Before taking tizanidine oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any supplements, herbs, and vitamins you take. Doing so may help you avoid possible interactions.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Tizanidine interactions with herbs
Tizanidine oral tablet may interact with valerian, also called valerian root. This herb is often used for supporting sleep.
Taking tizanidine and using valerian may lead to central nervous system (CNS) depression. Symptoms can include problems with balance and coordination, excessive sleepiness, and confusion. In rare cases, these symptoms can be severe.
Because of this, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during treatment with tizanidine oral tablet.
Tizanidine interactions with vitamins
Tizanidine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during treatment with tizanidine oral tablet.
Tizanidine and food
Tizanidine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with foods. But this doesn’t mean interactions with foods can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid during treatment with tizanidine oral tablet.
Tizanidine and vaccines
Tizanidine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines during treatment with tizanidine oral tablet.
Tizanidine and lab tests
Tizanidine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests during treatment with tizanidine oral tablet.
Tizanidine and cannabis or CBD
Reports have shown cannabis (commonly called marijuana) and cannabis products may interact with tizanidine. Cannabidiol (CBD) is an example of a cannabis product.
Taking tizanidine and using cannabis may lead to CNS depression. Symptoms can include problems with balance and coordination, and feeling confused. In rare cases, these symptoms can be severe.
Before you take tizanidine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you use cannabis. Doing so may help prevent possible interactions.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Preventing tizanidine interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with tizanidine oral tablet. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Other medications you take, as well as any vitamins, supplements, and herbs. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug during your tizanidine oral tablet treatment.
Taking tizanidine exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about tizanidine and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- Does tizanidine have similar interactions with other medications that can treat my condition?
- If I take tizanidine and have certain health conditions, will I be monitored more closely during treatment?
- If I take tizanidine and a drug that interacts with it, do you recommend spacing out my medications throughout the day to avoid interactions?
- Does my risk of interactions depend on my dosage of tizanidine?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.