Back Pain and Tizanidine

Tizanidine promotes back pain relief by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to the brain. It is also to used treat muscle stiffness or rigidness by temporarily relaxing the muscle tone.

Read more details about Tizanidine.

The usual starting dose for patient with increased muscle tone caused by multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury is 4 mg orally once a day. The dose may be repeated as needed at 6 to 8 hour intervals, with maximum of three doses day. Your doctor may be increase the dose gradually every 4 to 7 days in increments of 1 to 2 mg until desired response is reached. The total daily dose should not exceed 36 mg. The manufacturer also recommend that single doses should not exceed 12 mg.

Tizanidine is available in tablets 2 and mg tablets and in gel cap form in of 2mg, 4 mg, and 6mg doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Wear disease medical alert identification.

• If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.

• If you have been taking this medicine for several weeks, talk with healthcare provider before stopping. You may want to gradually withdraw this medicine.

• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you fall a lot, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have low blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider.

• Do not change from capsule to tablet or vice versa.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines and natural products that slow your actions and reactions.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.

• Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Severe dizziness or passing out.

• Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.

• Severe belly pain.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Not able to eat.

• Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.