What is Tizanidine Hcl: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed to find the most effective dose.

You may take this medicine with or without food, but always take it the same way every time. If you take tizanidine differently each time, you may experience more side effects, or the medicine may not work as quickly. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about this.

Store tizanidine capsules or tablets in a closed, child-proofed container at room temperature.

Keep this medicine out of the reach of children.

Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. 

Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

This medicine is not right for everyone. 

Do not use this drug if you have had an allergic reaction to tizanidine.

Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.

Your doctor may need to examine you or perform blood tests to monitor the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, particularly any kidney or liver problems. 

This medicine may cause the following problems:

• Liver damage

• Dangerously low blood pressure

• Withdrawal symptoms

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. 

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor may need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you use before taking tizanidine.

Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.

These two rules are very important because a variety of drugs slow down the body’s breakdown of tizanidine, increasing the risk of serious side effects. These drugs include:

• Heart rhythm drugs

• Fluoroquinolone antibiotics

• H2 blockers to reduce stomach acid such as cimetidine and famotidine

• Birth control pills

• The herpes treatment acyclovir

• Some blood pressure medications such as verapamil

DO NOT TAKE the antibiotic ciprofloxacin or the OCD medication fluvoxamine if you’re taking tizanidine.

Tizanidine should also not be taken with medicines that work just tizanidine called alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists like the blood pressure medications clonidine or guanfacine.

Tell your doctor if you use any medicine or supplement that makes you sleepy. The combination can increase the sedative effects of tizanidine. Some examples of these drugs are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and other muscle relaxants. 

Avoid sedatives called benzodiazepines because they can cause excess sedation when combined with tizanidine.

Avoid alcohol when taking tizanidine for the same reason.

Smoking changes the effectiveness of tizanidine. Tell your doctor if you smoke, if you start smoking, or if you stop smoking while on tizanidine treatment.

Find out more about tizanidine interactions to avoid here.