This article is written in order to familiarize yourself with the drug "Sirdalud" and with instructions for its use. All information posted here is an addition and simplification of the annotation to this medicine.
What is this medicine?
Sirdalud is a relatively new, but very effective drug that belongs to the clinical-pharmacological group of centrally acting muscle relaxants. This medicine directly affects neuromuscular transmission, promotes muscle relaxation and acts to reduce their resistance. The drug "Tizanil" is an analogue of "Sirdalud." Other generics are Tizalud and Sirdalud MR. About these medications will be discussed below. Sirdalud medicine is prescribed:
- with skeletal muscle spasms or hypertonicity;
- cramps and associated pain.
The active ingredient in this medicine is tizanidine. This substance is capable of rapid and almost complete absorption by oral administration. In blood plasma, the maximum amount of tizanidine is fixed within an hour after taking the medicine.
The drug "Sirdalud" acts on the muscles of a person positively, toning them. The mechanism of action of the drug has some differences from other muscle relaxants. The main advantage possessed by the Sirdalud analogue is that with a decrease in the general tone of muscle mass, muscle strength does not decrease. In addition, it is possible to take this drug and food at the same time. And this factor will not affect the properties of the drug and treatment in general.
Indications for use
For what diseases is the drug Sirdalud recommended? Indications for use, analogues will be discussed later. This medication is prescribed for the following violations:
- Violation of the blood circulation of the brain.
- Cerebral paralysis.
- Degenerative disorders of the spinal cord.
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Myelopathy
Also, for some other symptomatic diseases, the attending physician prescribes the Sirdalud medication. Indications for use of this drug are as follows:
- Diseases of the spine (spinal column), for example, osteochondrosis, radiculitis, etc.
- Rehabilitation after surgery, that is, the restoration of the human body after surgery, for example, after removal of an intervertebral hernia or hip osteoarthritis.
Action on the human body
Tizanidine - the active substance of the drug "Sirdalud." It relaxes and tones the human muscles. Tizanidine stimulates the receptors of the spinal cord and in every way slows down the release of amino acids, which have an exciting effect. Due to this, muscle tone is reduced, and the muscle frame of the back relaxes to a normal physiological state. Then there is a decrease in pain, because tizanidine anesthetizes. Then the activity of the movement of the spine is restored.
The nature of the action of the active substance, which contains Sirdalud, is successfully used in the fight against diseases of the spine and to relieve muscle cramps. The therapeutic effect is directly related to the level of concentration of this substance in the blood.
Release form and composition
This modern muscle relaxant is available in three forms:
- In 2 mg tablets.
- In 4 mg tablets.
- In capsules of 6 mg.
Sirdalud tablets, the use and doses of which we will consider a little later, are white. They are round and flat, their edges are beveled. On one side of 2 mg tablets there is a risk and an OZ code. On 4 mg tablets, the risks overlap, on the other side, the RL code. The biologically active substance that is part of this medication, as mentioned above, is tizanidine hydrochloride. Also, the composition of the drug includes auxiliary substances, such as:
- Stearic acid.
- Silicon dioxide colloidal anhydrous.
- Microcrystalline cellulose.
- Lactose, or milk sugar, etc.
The instructions for the use of the drug “Sirdalud” indicate that the drug is supplied in blisters of polyvinyl chloride of 10 tablets in one package.
Dosage and administration
The dosage regimen of a therapeutic agent is determined strictly individually by the attending physician. The recommended initial dosage of Sirdalud is 2 mg three times a day. The drug is prescribed for oral administration. With increased soreness of muscle spasms , a 3-time intake of 2-4 mg of Sirdalud is recommended (the instructions for use do not describe the analogues of this drug, but we will tell you about them a little later). Another additional medication is possible if necessary. It is advisable to do this at night, as the medicine can cause a drowsiness.
To relieve muscle spasms caused by neurological disorders, at the initial stage of treatment, no more than 6 mg of the drug per day is recommended. The optimal therapeutic dose in 24 hours is from 12 to 24 mg.
Sirdalud MR is a capsule with a dosage of 6 mg of active ingredient. The initial dose is 1 capsule per day. Gradually, you can double it. The optimal dose for most patients is 2 capsules, or 12 mg. At exceptional times, the dose per day is increased to 4 capsules or up to 24 mg. The duration of the course of treatment is individual and is selected by the doctor depending on the patient’s health status .
Side effects of muscle relaxant
As with any other medication, using Sirdaluda may cause some side effects, such as:
- Dizziness.
- Itching and rash on the skin.
- Drowsiness during the day.
- Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Fatigue.
- Nausea.
- Insomnia at night.
- Dry mouth.
- Muscle weakness.
- Hallucinations.
- Bradycardia
- Confusion.
- Lowering blood pressure, etc.
When taking in large doses of this drug, all of the above side effects occur more often. But in most cases they are not so pronounced as to stop taking Sirdalud. Reviews (analogues of this therapeutic agent can also cause minor side effects, but usually when the medicine is not taken according to the prescribed schedule) can be contradictory, first you should listen to your doctor and do not prescribe yourself a dosage yourself. After the course of treatment is completed and the drug is no longer used, all of the above symptoms go away by themselves.
Contraindications for the use of Sirdaluda
With caution, this therapeutic drug is prescribed to patients older than 65 years. What other contraindications does Sirdalud (tablets) have? Analogues of the drug and the original remedy can not be taken in the presence of the following conditions:
- Intolerance to tizanidine or to any other constituent substance of this medication.
- Congenital lactase deficiency.
- Pregnancy.
- Breastfeeding.
- Diseases of the liver and kidneys (liver and kidney failure).
In addition, there are restrictions regarding interactions with other medicines. The list is indicated in the instructions for use of the drug "Sirdalud". The instruction (reviews only confirm this) is written in a completely accessible language. Therefore, be sure to read it before taking the medicine prescribed by your doctor.
Some limitations
As mentioned above, older people over 65 years old analogue of Sirdaluda or the drug itself is prescribed by a doctor with caution. That is, a reduced dosage of the drug is recommended. This method of treatment is due to insufficient kidney function in the elderly. The medicine begins to accumulate in the body, and this leads to an overdose and more serious consequences.
For patients with renal failure, it is necessary to use 2 mg of a drug such as Sirdalud per day. An increase in the dose of the drug is prescribed gradually, taking into account tolerance and effectiveness. If you want to get a more significant effect, it is recommended to increase the rate. Initially, the drug is taken once a day. And only with good tolerance after a while, the doctor prescribes the drug several times a day.
special instructions
The simultaneous use of drugs based on tizanidine and alcoholic beverages causes drowsiness and reduces the therapeutic effect of this medication. During pregnancy and lactation, any analog of Sirdaluda and the drug itself are prescribed by the doctor only in the most extreme case. Only when a mother’s illness threatens her life. The effect of the therapeutic properties of the drug on the developing fetus has not yet been practically studied. It is also unknown whether the active substance Sirdaluda - tizanidine hydrochloride passes into breast milk. If there is a need for therapeutic treatment of a nursing mother, the question may be raised about stopping breastfeeding. How the drug will act on older children is also unknown, since clinical research data on the effects of this drug on patients of this age group are currently insufficient. Therefore, taking Sirdaluda is contraindicated for children under eighteen years of age.
Patients in whom drowsiness or dizziness begins under the influence of the drug are advised to refrain from types of work that require an increased concentration of attention and a quick reaction. For example, driving any vehicle or working with cars and mechanisms. Abrupt withdrawal of the drug can give impetus to the development of asthenia and impaired cerebral circulation.
Overdose
There is some information about the side effects of an overdose - a significant excess of the recommended dose of this drug (over 400 mg):
- Dyspeptic disorders.
- Myosis.
- A sharp drop in blood pressure.
- Coma.
If the above symptoms of an overdose occur, the patient should rinse the stomach, take sorbents, such as activated charcoal and diuretics.
Analogues of Sirdaluda
Similar drugs are released in form and composition. They are similar to a medicine like Sirdalud. Cheap analogs are Tizalud, Tizanidin, which are available both in tablets and as a solution for injection. There are also others:
- Sirdalud MR.
- Tizanil.
When Sirdalud is not available in the pharmacy, the pharmacist usually recommends a similar medicine to the patient. The therapeutic effect and composition are almost similar, because they contain the same active substance. Side effects are similar in these medications. It is also necessary to take Sirdalud’s analogues only on the recommendation of a doctor.
This article is not an instruction for the use of Sirdalud. Be sure to consult a specialist before taking this medicine. Do not self-medicate in any case. Do not believe the stories of friends and reviews on the Internet. The drug can only be prescribed by a doctor, after evaluating your state of health, complaints and tests. Be careful when buying, carefully study the instructions and composition.