Drug Uses



Zanaflex (Tizanidine-Oral) is prescribed for loosening certain muscles in the body. It is an effective muscle relaxant. It can relieve the spasms and improved muscle tone that is usually prompted by multiple sclerosis or spinal injury. It might also be prescribed by your doctor in other cases as he considers appropriate.



Usage



Kindly follow the instructions of the doctor. If you cannot recall the instructions read the one on the medicine label. Zanaflex should be ingested orally. Stopping the medicine between the dosage course may render negative effects. The dosage is normally prescribed for two or three times a day.



Drug Class and Mechanism



Tizanidine lessens spasticity by raising presynaptic inhibition of motor neurons. It is an agonist at (alpha) 2 -adrenergic receptor positions. Tizanidine has no immediate effect on skeletal muscle fibers or the neuromuscular junction, and no significant impact on monosynaptic spinal reflexes in animal models. Its influences are most unusual on polysynaptic pathways. The net result of all these actions is considered to diminish the facilitation of spinal motor neurons.



Tizanidine’s imidazoline chemical structure is comparable to other (alpha) 2 -adrenergic agonists and anti-hypertensive drug clonidine. Study and pharmacological investigations conducted on animals show correlations between the two but Tizanidine shows a potency of one-tenth to one-fiftieth (1/50) of that of clonidine in reducing blood pressure.



Missed Dose



Notwithstanding your best efforts at memorizing, if you still miss out on a dose, then take it right when you remember it. But keep in mind that you will have to arrange your next dose by giving an interval of 4 to 5 hours. If this is not likely, then the best thing to do would be to hop the missed dose and proceed with your normal dosage plan.



Never try to requite for the missed dose by taking a double dose concurrently. It may cause unfavorable effects.



Storage



Keep Zanaflex at room temperature (read medicine label if uncertain). Keep it in a cool dark place that is not directly displayed to sources of heat or moisture and sunlight. Preserve it somewhere away from kids and pets. It should be properly disposed of when the usable date has lapsed or not required anymore.