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Tizanidine for Muscle Spasm User Reviews (Page 3)

Brand names: Zanaflex, Ontralfy

Reviews for Tizanidine

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Pun...
  • August 4, 2014

Tizanidine "My mother had taken this for years for leg cramps. She started having hallucinations. She started by having a dream every night for about a month that involved the same people. When she woke up in the morning, her dreams had become reality for her. I finally convinced her to go off the medication and now no more problems. Her cardiologist suggested she go off the medication about 6 months before."

2 / 10
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  • boo...
  • January 31, 2016

Tizanidine "Well, I really am satisfied with this medicine. I take it in combination with my pain medication. I was in a car accident two years ago, and aside from the pain meds helping me with pain, this is what actually allows the muscles themselves to relax so I can sleep better. The one I really can't stand is 'Flexeril'. I don't know what the deal is with that because, if anything, it makes all of my extremities 'jump'...like restless leg, but restless everywhere (the legs too). The big problem is actually I got a new pain doctor, but he only believes in one muscle relaxer and that's baclofen, which does absolutely NOTHING. His intern told me that I could take two at a time, and still nothing."

9 / 10
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  • Sha...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • March 18, 2016

"I use this for neck spasms and fibromyalgia. I was originally prescribed 4 mg twice daily, but found out quickly that taking it during the day made me feel like passing out, and I couldn't walk without falling. Plus, if I took it and couldn't nap, I felt awful. So, now (per my doctor's orders), I take 8 mg only at bed, and it relaxes me enough that I'm out like a light within 45 minutes. I do find that I wake myself up yelling at someone I was fighting with in a dream! It scares the bejeezus out of my cat! Lol. It really helps me sleep, which has been an issue for years because of the pain."

8 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • sol...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • August 17, 2015

"I developed a muscle spasm in my neck while taking Lamictal. Eventually, the spasm did not go away-it turned into an incredibly painful condition, Dystonia. The spasm has displaced my jaw and disabled me from being able to work. After developing problems with Flexeril and Cogentin, I was switched to Tizanidine. What a wonderful difference. Though the spasm or pain never stops, it reduced my involuntary movements to the point where they are not obvious, and the pain is also reduced. No bad side effects besides tiredness."

10 / 10
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  • mig...
  • April 20, 2015

"I take 8 mg a day. 2 mg in the morning and noon, and 4 mg in the evening. Effective in spasm relief and perfect for the night. Before, I was constantly tired, but unable to rest at night due to discomfort and pain in the neck. Now I am alert during the day with some exceptions. An hour after I take a 2 mg pill, I feel sleepy if I am relaxed, but if I am outside or active, sleepiness goes away. However, this does not apply to the 4 mg. After taking this dose, I am out."

8 / 10
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  • Mag...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 5, 2018

"I first tried Tizanidine in 1992 in Egypt, where I used to live. It worked wonders for a neck strain I suffered from. It was sold under the name Sirdalud. When I came back to Canada, my general practitioner never heard of it and prescribed Flexeril, which gave me horrible side effects and no relief. I had a spinal cord injury three years ago, in 2015, and since then, I've been paralyzed. The muscle in my back “rolled” up my leg and would continue rolling up my back and down my chest, making my spine lurch forward that I would yelp in pain! My fentanyl for pain and hydromorphone wouldn’t even touch this pain. I searched on the internet about muscle relaxers, saw Tizanidine, and I instantly remembered Sirdalud from Egypt. The second day I was on Tizanidine, spasms at all, zero! This drug is a blessing for me, and the drowsiness is not that bad. I take 4mg twice a day. This drug has given my life back because if those muscle spasms continued, I would’ve ended my life for sure!"

8 / 10
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  • ser...
  • September 15, 2010

Tizanidine "MRI reveals badly blown out cervical disc at C4-5. Now, as long as I didn't do much, I wouldn't have much pain, but getting anything done (like yard work, working out with pushups, painting a wall, etc.) was another story and would leave me in severe pain. However, always THE NEXT DAY and for at least several days afterward (I never really felt the pain on the day of the activity). Then, my doctor gave me Zanaflex, and now I take one 4 mg tablet that night, the next day is pain-free! I haven't noticed any side effects, no next day grogginess, and even the quality of sleep is normal with pleasant dreaming, in fact, if anything, my dreams are slightly easier to remember, which shows plenty of REM."

10 / 10
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  • win...
  • July 9, 2008

Tizanidine "This is the best medication by far. I was originally given this medication for migraine headaches, but in the process, it has helped me with my severe back pain. I can finally sleep through the night. The best."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • May 11, 2009

Tizanidine "I've been on Zanaflex for over a month now, and all I can say is it really makes me sleep well. I take pain medicines for chronic low back pain and also take sleep medicines to help me because the pain gets worse at night, keeping me up. I wasn't happy when they gave me this instead of Soma because I had great results with Soma. Now I can say I'm glad I did go on this medicine. I take 2 about 45 minutes before I want to turn in for the night. My spasms are relieved, and I can sleep through most of the night and wake without any hangover effects. I'm glad I have this now."

8 / 10
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  • dcr...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • June 14, 2015

"I have been taking Tizanidine for about 8 months, having read about it in a medical publication. I have fibromyalgia caused by a Chiari I malformation (no surgery), adrenal adenoma (excess cortisol), bilateral peripheral neuropathy, 6 damaged discs, hiatal hernia, narrow esophagus, nervous/acid stomach, IBS (had), severe pain in upper leg muscles, tight hamstrings on legs (had/is effectively treated by medications), RLS, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, sublaxity and double joints, POTS; vasoconstriction, Raynaud's-like feet, see stars with hands over head, fluctuations in BP. Tizanidine taken at night, 0.2 mg dosage, helps me fall into a relaxing sleep with storybook-type dreams. It complements my other drugs well, in my opinion."

10 / 10
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  • cpr...
  • May 8, 2009

Tizanidine "I have been put on every muscle relaxant from Flexeril to Soma, and then my neurologist tried me on Zanaflex last week for the first time. I have to say, so far it's working pretty well. I feel a little drowsy, but hopefully that will pass as my system gets used to it. At this point with my MS, I am willing to try anything in order to feel better and not hurt all the time. I'm thinking we are on to something here. At least that's what I'm praying for."

7 / 10
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  • ani...
  • February 8, 2016

"Life saver!!!! This muscle relaxer is beyond amazing!!!! I take 4 mg at bedtime, and within 45 minutes, I'm feeling complete relief and fall asleep!!! I don't take a full pill during the day because I literally can't walk straight or fully function after taking a full dose. Works awesome for a sleep aid too!"

10 / 10
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  • Jol...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 10, 2019

"I had compressed discs in lumbar and cervical spine. I was prescribed this to relax muscles and it was ineffective, and caused fatigue and hair loss - eventually 1/3 of my hair. I had to figure out on my own through research on the web that this was a possible side effect - after just being told by the doctor to take biotin. Hair loss stopped when I stopped taking tizanidine, but no visible regrowth after 3 months."

1 / 10
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  • 371...
  • July 25, 2008

Tizanidine "I have been on Zanaflex for about 2 months, and it has helped tremendously for migraines, which are caused by bulging discs in my neck. I am taking 4mg three times a day and suffering from only one side effect, which is dry mouth. I really recommend this to others with my condition."

10 / 10
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  • Sle...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 21, 2019

"Lower back pain after spinal fusion. After ups and downs with back pain resulting in having surgery, my neurosurgeon switched me from Flexeril to Zanaflex because I wasn't sleeping. I am on 4 mg 3x daily, and my experience so far has been good. I totally get good rest at night, and I must say during the day my back doesn't feel like a concrete block, lol. Movement, like walking, is more at ease too, although I'm still a little slow. I'm certainly glad my neurosurgeon switched me. Now gladly, I take the Zanaflex with Aleve. I'm off all narcotics. Overall, I'd definitely recommend Zanaflex."

7 / 10
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  • Sus...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 9, 2022

Tizanidine "I had muscle spasms from several neck surgeries. Diagnosed with DDD. I had been using carisoprodol for 21 years. I had to switch to a doctor that wouldn't prescribe carisoprodol. I was prescribed tizanidine, and I am having a really bad experience. I have developed significant anxiety/nervousness. My eyes have gotten so dry that they're red. I can't sleep and experienced chest and right arm pain and a rapid heartbeat. My family is upset with me because I'm so anxious/nervous and have become rude. I never had any of this before this drug. It's destroying my life, and my doctor doesn't care. He doesn't believe any of these side effects. I'm taking 4 mg four times a day. It helps a portion of the muscle spasms. I might like it if I didn't have these disturbing side effects. The carisoprodol was more effective for me."

1 / 10
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  • Mis...
  • November 7, 2020

"Was diagnosed with severe muscle spasms that caused my migraines at age 16. It was an incredible amount of pain. Was put on tizanidine at 2 mg every 8 hours a day. Took Par Pharmaceutical manufacturer all these years, and it has helped a lot - not all the pain is gone, but it almost completely eliminated my migraines. My insurance had to change as of this year, and almost 10 years later I had to switch pharmacies. The new pharmacy gave me Apotex manufactured tizanidine. I started having pain and migraines again, but I thought it was due to the stress of the pandemic - we were several months in at this point. It was only recently when I found some leftovers of my old Par Pharmaceutical tizanidine and took one out of curiosity that I realized the manufacturer change had really set me back - Apotex just doesn't work for me. Never have had bad side effects, aside from minor drowsiness when I started taking it, but that all depends on the person."

9 / 10
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  • Chr...
  • April 14, 2010

Tizanidine "I have been living with chronic neck, back, and migraine pain for several years now. In the beginning, my doctors had me go to physical therapy, take ibuprofen, or aspirin. None of these things ever really helped. After trying Flexeril and numerous anti-inflammatories, my pain management doctor did an MRI and found that among the many tension knots and twisting of my spine, I had bulging discs in my neck. He gave me Zanaflex to take at night. It knocks me out within 20 minutes but helps relax my back and neck so that I can get restful sleep - been on it for 3 months now! I highly recommend it for continuous back pain and it has even helped with my migraines. Be ready for bed though - very powerful!"

9 / 10
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  • Col...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 9, 2015

"My doctor has just started me on Tizanidine. I can tell the difference already. I have already tried several different medicines for my lower back problems, but Tizanidine has eased the pain well enough for me to get to sleep at night and wake more rested in the morning."

7 / 10
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  • mjd...
  • August 30, 2014

"Worked great when I first started the meds, but slowly had to increase the dosage for relief. I have fibromyalgia. I take 12 to 16 mg at night. I have started having hallucinations and terrible nightmares. It causes really bad dry mouth. It doesn't help me sleep anymore. I will see if there is something else out there."

6 / 10
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  • GgG...
  • June 18, 2017

Tizanidine "Strained my rotator cuff, MD acute care practice prescribed 4 mg. I asked both the doctor and pharmacist if it was okay to take with Allegra D. Both said yes. Luckily, I was safe at home. It was scary how sedated I was. I had set an alarm for an appointment 2 hours after taking mess. I got out of bed and could hardly make it to the restroom. Needless to say, I canceled the appointment. Next time I took the medicines separately and broke the 4 mg tablet into 1 mg. I'm no lightweight, but this was too strong for me."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • August 28, 2008

Tizanidine "I am very happy taking Zanaflex. I was originally put on it for migraines, but after a major car accident, they tried to put me on Soma, which caused some side effects. I went back to Zanaflex and have never looked back."

10 / 10
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  • MiK...
  • September 18, 2009

Tizanidine "I had been having muscle spasms, the Zanaflex helped. I suffer from real bad insomnia, I have been unable to find a medicine that would work for me, and once prescribed Zanaflex, I have been able to sleep every night as long as I have them. So if anyone else suffers from insomnia, maybe they could try Zanaflex, it really helps."

10 / 10
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  • Mas...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 11, 2016

"I started to take this medication after telling my doctor about all the failing attempts to reduce my upper back pain. I have scoliosis, and the curvature of my spine is to the right of my shoulder blade. I'm also a very busty lady, and the extra weight doesn't help. After trying out Flexeril at a very high dosage, I was pretty concerned about the side effects of this medication. To my surprise, I feel GREAT! My prescription is 2.0 mg and says 1-2 capsules per night time only as needed. I have been taking only one pill, and after a half hour, I fall into really deep sleep for about 6-8 hours. The only side effect I noticed is a minor stomach ache the next day after I take it. I would recommend this medication to a friend."

10 / 10
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  • Chr...
  • February 9, 2020

"I saw a neurologist for neck pain and daily headaches (for over 9 years now). I was told I have arthritis and muscle spasms, so I was prescribed tizanidine 2 times a day. I told the doctor they don't work at all on me, so she increased it to 3 times a day! Now I'm having so much weakness and intense headaches. This is not the medication for me! Soma is the ONLY muscle relaxer that's ever worked for me, but my regular doctor will only allow me to be on it for a month (at the most)... and then I have to take a month off of it before she'll prescribe it again! Now I'm off to get Botox injections in my neck and shoulders."

1 / 10
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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.