What are the ingredients in Zanaflex/Tizanidine HCL 4 MG Tablets?

Pharmacological studies in animals show similarities between the two compounds, but tizanidine was found to have one-tenth to one-fiftieth (1/50) of the potency of clonidine in lowering blood pressure Tizanidine will lower blood pressure too, but it is not commonly used as an antihypertensive but since it does lower blood pressure it should be used cautiously with other antihypertensives.It can cause orthostatic hypotension which is a drop in blood pressure upon sitting or standing quickly. This can be avoided by changing positions slowly. As I said, tizanidine is used for spasticity of the muscles. Tizanidine is an agonist at αlpha2-adrenergic receptor sites and presumably reduces spasticity by increasing presynaptic inhibition of motor neurons. In animal models, tizanidine has no direct effect on skeletal muscle fibers or the neuromuscular junction, and no major effect on monosynaptic spinal reflexes. The effects of tizanidine are greatest on polysynaptic pathways The overall effect of these actions is thought to reduce facilitation of spinal motor neurons. Because of the short duration of effect, treatment with tizanidine should be reserved for those daily activities and times when relief of spasticity is most needed and important. In multiple dose, placebo-controlled clinical studies involving 264 patients with spasticity, the most frequent adverse effects were dry mouth, somnolence/sedation, asthenia (weakness fatigue and/or tiredness) and dizziness. Three-quarters of the patients rated the events as mild to moderate and one-quarter of the patients rated the events as being severe. These events appeared to be dose related. Some people find that they can only take it at night because it does cause such profound sedation. Others do not get as much sedation, so be sure that you see how you react to this drug before you drive or perform any activities that require you to be alert. Tizanidine use has been associated with hallucinations. Formed, visual hallucinations or delusions have been reported in 5 of 170 patients (3%) in two North American controlled clinical studies. These 5 cases occurred within the first 6 weeks. Most of the patients were aware that the events were unreal. One patient developed psychoses in association with the hallucinations. One patient among these 5 continued to have problems for at least 2 weeks following discontinuation of tizanidine.
If you need to stop taking tizanidine after taking it for a period of time, it should be tapered to avoid withdrawals or rebound effects. Three cases of rebound symptoms on sudden withdrawal of tizanidine have been reported. The case reports suggest that these patients were also misusing narcotics. Withdrawal symptoms included hypertension, tachycardia, hypertonia, tremor, and anxiety. As with clonidine, withdrawal is expected to be more likely in cases where high doses are used, especially for prolonged periods. Zanaflex Capsules(tizanidine) and Zanaflex (tizanidine) tablets are bioequivalent to each other under fasted conditions (empty stomach), but not under fed conditions. It is best if you start with capsules to stay with capsules and if you start with tablets you should stay with tablets and not use them alternately. The dose can be repeated at 6 to 8 hour intervals, as needed, to a maximum of three doses in 24 hours. The total daily dose should not exceed 36 mg. Hope this helps you to understand tizanidine better!