In what dosages is the drug Tizanidine prescribed? Instructions for use of this medication are presented below. Also from the materials of this article you will learn about the form in which the mentioned tool is produced, what is included in its composition, whether it has adverse reactions, analogues and contraindications.
Form, description, composition
What is the composition of the drug "Tizanidine"? Instructions for use states that the active ingredient in this medication is tizanidine. Also, the composition of the medication under consideration includes excipients in the form of anhydrous lactose, colloidal silicon dioxide, microcrystalline cellulose and stearic acid.
The drug "Tizanidine", the instruction of which is enclosed in a cardboard package, is made in the form of round white tablets. On one side of the medication is a dividing strip, and on the other is the marking T4 or T2.
Pharmacological features
What is the mechanism of action of the drug "Tizanidine"? Instructions for use indicate that it is a muscle relaxant. After taking the tablets inside, the active substance of the drug helps to reduce the tone of the skeletal muscles, lower their resistance during passive movements, as well as inhibit spasmodic reactions and increase voluntary contractions.
From the foregoing, it can be safely noted that the drug in question contributes to the muscle-relaxing effect. This happens due to inhibition of polysynaptic spinal reflexes. This effect is due to the release of amino acids from the terminals of (presynaptic) spinal interneurons.
Pharmacokinetic indicators
What pharmacokinetic parameters does the drug “Tizanidine” (tablets) have? Instructions for use provide comprehensive information on this subject.
After oral administration, the drug is completely absorbed. Its absolute bioavailability is about 40% (due to the extensive first passage through the liver).
The active substance of the drug is distributed throughout all systems and tissues. Its connection with proteins is approximately 30%.
The half-life of the drug is 2.5 hours. About 95% of the dose taken is metabolized. The medication is excreted through the kidneys (about 60%) and the gastrointestinal tract (about 20%).
Indications for use
When is Tizanidine prescribed? The use of this medication is most effective in the spastic state of skeletal muscles, which is observed with such neurological diseases as:
- stroke;
- degenerative pathologies of the spinal cord;
- chronic myelopathy;
- multiple sclerosis.
Also, the medication “Tizanidine” is indicated for muscle pains that develop due to damage to the spine.
Contraindications
The main and, perhaps, the only contraindication of this drug is the patient's increased sensitivity to tizanidine. It is also forbidden to take it together with such drugs as Ciprofloxacin and Fluvoxamine.
The drug "Tizanidine": instructions for use
According to the instructions, the initial dosage of the drug "Tizanidine" should be 2 mg.
Due to the fact that the effect of taking the drug reaches its peak after 1-2 hours and dissipates after 3-6 hours, treatment should be carried out at intervals of 6-8 hours. Thus, no more than 3 tablets should be taken during the day.
The dosage of the drug is gradually increased to 4 mg (for each dose). However, they do this only if after 4 days the result from the treatment has not been shown.
The total daily dosage of the drug should not be higher than 36 mg. As for single doses, the intake of more than 16 mg by specialists has not been studied.
- With renal failure. With this diagnosis, tablets are prescribed with extreme caution.
- Disorders in the liver. The drug "Tizanidine" is recommended with caution to people who have any form of liver failure. In such patients, individual dosages should be reduced. It is necessary to constantly check the level of aminotransferase. The first monitoring is carried out a month after the start of treatment.
Overdose cases
Clinical symptoms that occur against the background of overdoses can have completely different pharmacology. In most cases, patients experience lethargy, confusion, drowsiness, and coma. In addition, taking the drug in large doses can cause dysfunction of the heart muscle, including the occurrence of bradycardia and hypotension.
Side effects
Are there side effects associated with taking the drug "Tizanidine"? Instructions for use (the synonyms of this tool are indicated below) states that the medication in question can cause dry mouth, drowsiness, hypotension, bradycardia, decreased blood pressure, dizziness, muscle cramps, asthenia, weakness, fatigue, hallucinations, hepatotoxicity, and liver dysfunction.
Very rarely, treatment with this drug contributes to the appearance of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis, anaphylactic shock, ventricular tachycardia, hepatitis, depression, seizures, joint pain, rash, paresthesia, and tremor.
Drug interaction
Before using the drug "Tizanidine", you should carefully study the instructions. It indicates the following features of its drug interaction:
- When combined with Ciprofloxacin and Fluvoxamine, blood pressure can significantly decrease, as well as drowsiness. In addition, such a complex of drugs violates the psychomotor functions of a person.
- Concomitant use of a drug with CYP1A2 inhibitors (for example, Zileiton, Fluoroquinolone, Amiodarone, Mexiletine, Propafenone, Verapamil, Cimetidine, Famotidine, Acyclovir, and Ticlopidine) is strictly contraindicated.
- It is not recommended to combine Tizanidine tablets with oral contraceptives. If the current state of the patient requires the simultaneous administration of these medications, then the dosage of the first should be minimal. Taking high doses of the drug can lead to the development of side effects such as arterial hypotension, bradycardia, and excessive drowsiness.
- Combining this medication with alcohol is not recommended. This is due to the fact that alcohol increases the concentration of the active substance of the drug in the blood, and this can lead to the development of undesirable effects.
Expiration date, storage and sale conditions
Tizanidine tablets are dispensed in pharmacies by medical prescription. It is desirable to keep them at room temperature in a dark place. It is necessary to protect the drug from young children.
The shelf life of the product in question is 3 years. After this period, it is forbidden to take it.
Price, synonyms and analogues of the drug
What is the difference between drugs such as Tizanidine, Tizanidine Ratiopharm, and Tizanidine Teva? The instruction for the use of these funds contains the same indications, side effects, contraindications, methods of administration and dosage. The only difference between the mentioned medicines is their manufacturers. Thus, all of the above funds can be considered synonymous.
As for the analogues of the drug "Tizanidine", then such drugs as Sirdalud, Tizalud and Sirdalud MR can be attributed to them.
How much do Tizanidine, Tizanidin Teva and Tizanidin Ratiopharm cost? The instructions attached to these medicines do not answer the question. You can find out the price of these funds only at the pharmacy. As a rule, it is not very high and amounts to about 120-170 Russian rubles (depending on the number of tablets in the package and the manufacturer).
It should be noted right away that the Tizanidine medication has a relatively inexpensive cost (for example, analogues like Sirdalud, Tizalud and Sirdalud MR cost a little more, about 240-270 rubles). That is why most patients give their preference to the first drug.
Drug Reviews
Now you know why prescribe such drugs as Tizanidine, Tizanidine Ratiopharm, and Tizanidine Teva. Instructions for taking these drugs have been presented above.
Patients who have ever used this medication tolerate it in different ways. Most reviews allow us to conclude that the drug "Tizanidine" does not always meet the expectations of patients.
Many people say that taking this medicine in one of three cases causes side effects such as severe cramping and muscle pain. Similar reactions occur immediately after the use of the medication.
After using the second pill, some patients feel weak, dizzy, and vomiting. With such symptoms, experts recommend stopping the drug, otherwise their intensity may increase.
In some cases, after using Tizanidine, people had problems with pressure and stomach, as well as a strong heartbeat.
It should be noted that there are not so many positive reviews of the drug in question. Among them, one can single out the availability and cheapness of the drug.
In connection with all of the above, it should be concluded that taking the medication “Tizanidine”, as well as its synonyms, is necessary only according to indications and only as directed by the doctor.
Due to the large number of adverse reactions, experts strongly do not recommend using the drug during pregnancy and during breastfeeding, otherwise this can adversely affect the health of the baby or fetus.