Tizanidine

Written by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Medically reviewed by Victor Nguyen, PharmD, MBA
Updated on June 20, 2023

This article describes tizanidine’s uses, side effects, and more. You’ll also find some coupon options to help save on the cost of tizanidine.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as tizanidine for certain conditions. Approved uses for tizanidine are described below.

Use for muscle spasticity

Doctors may prescribe tizanidine oral tablet and oral capsule for treating muscle spasticity, including muscle spasms. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With muscle spasticity, your muscles spasm, contract, or stiffen involuntarily. Possible causes for muscle spasticity include brain or spinal cord injury. Certain conditions, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS), may also cause muscle spasticity.

Tizanidine is a type of drug called a muscle relaxant (sometimes referred to as a muscle relaxer). It works by decreasing action in your brain and central nervous system to help your muscles relax.

Tizanidine may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of tizanidine and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about tizanidine’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information* for tizanidine.

* To view tizanidine’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of tizanidine are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about tizanidine’s side effects, see the prescribing information* for tizanidine.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Mild side effects of tizanidine oral tablet and oral capsule include:

• dry mouth
• sleepiness
• weakness
• dizziness
• mild allergic reaction†

* To view tizanidine’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for tizanidine” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of tizanidine are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about tizanidine’s side effects, see the prescribing information* for tizanidine.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, tizanidine’s serious side effects include:

• low blood pressure, which may lead to fainting when standing up quickly
• liver damage
• hallucinations (seeing or hearing something that’s not really there)
• withdrawal symptoms, which may occur if you suddenly stop taking tizanidine†
• severe allergic reaction, including severe skin reactions‡

* To view tizanidine’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section.
† For more information about this side effect, see the “Common questions about tizanidine” section.
‡ For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for tizanidine” section.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about tizanidine.

Can tizanidine be used for sleep or anxiety?

Tizanidine is not approved for treating any sleep or anxiety disorder. However, doctors may still prescribe the drug off-label for this or other uses. Off-label use refers to prescribing a drug for a use that isn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Talk with your doctor to learn more about potential off-label uses of tizanidine.

Is tizanidine similar to cyclobenzaprine?

Yes, in some ways. But tizanidine and cyclobenzaprine also have some differences.

Tizanidine and cyclobenzaprine are both muscle relaxants. They’re both prescribed to treat muscle disorders.

Cyclobenzaprine is typically used as a short-term treatment for muscle spasms related to short-term conditions, such as muscle pain or injury. Tizanidine is typically used to treat muscle spasticity (muscle stiffness) from long-term conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS) or a spinal cord injury. Cyclobenzaprine is usually not prescribed in such cases.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about how tizanidine compares with other muscle relaxants, including cyclobenzaprine.

What is tizanidine’s mechanism of action? And how long does it take to start working?

Tizanidine’s mechanism of action (how a drug works) isn’t fully understood. It’s thought that the drug reduces activity in muscle nerves, which helps treat muscle spasms.

Tizanidine begins working shortly after you take a dose. In clinical studies of the drug, some people experienced symptom relief within a couple of hours.

If you’d like to know more about how tizanidine works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does tizanidine come as a brand-name drug?

Yes, tizanidine is available as the brand-name drug Zanaflex.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’d like to learn more about brand-name Zanaflex.

Is tizanidine a narcotic? Can it cause withdrawal?

No, tizanidine isn’t a narcotic. However, you may have withdrawal symptoms after suddenly stopping tizanidine treatment. Withdrawal symptoms can occur when a person stops taking a drug their body is dependent on. Dependence means the body needs the drug to function like usual.

Withdrawal symptoms that can occur if you stop taking tizanidine suddenly include:

• high blood pressure
• fast heart rate
• stiff muscles

If you need or want to stop taking tizanidine, talk with your doctor. They’ll recommend how to do so in a way that helps prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Below, you’ll find information about tizanidine’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of tizanidine

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take tizanidine, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for tizanidine” section just below.

Warnings for tizanidine

Some people should not use tizanidine, and others should take it cautiously.

Tizanidine could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether tizanidine is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for tizanidine, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Tizanidine can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to tizanidine or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe tizanidine. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

In addition, tizanidine may cause a serious skin reaction called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). In some cases, this allergic reaction can be life threatening.

Symptoms of SJS include:

• blistering, peeling skin rash
• sore throat
• cough
• body aches or discomfort

If you have an allergic reaction to tizanidine, call your doctor right away. If you have symptoms of a severe reaction or SJS, call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Overdose of tizanidine

If you take tizanidine, you should not take more than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much tizanidine, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and tizanidine

Information about tizanidine and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Tizanidine and pregnancy

It’s not known whether tizanidine should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Tizanidine and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether tizanidine should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

This article describes tizanidine’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about tizanidine or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How does tizanidine compare with other muscle relaxants that may treat my condition?
• Does my health history increase my risk of side effects from taking tizanidine?
• If I have side effects from tizanidine, can you prescribe a lower dosage for me to try?
• Is it safe for me to drive while I’m taking tizanidine?

• Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride — cyclobenzaprine tablet, film coated. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/252fb808-90a7-47a5-8557-bf4a8d8c4118/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Tizanidine hydrochloride capsules, for oral use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/cb8b01b3-bcec-4762-9d67-0db018ef6b22/spl-doc
• Tizanidine tablets, for oral use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/a859de90-1a0a-4f72-a42a-d19075eafac7/spl-doc

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.