Tizanidine Hydrochloride (Muscle Relaxant)

Question 1

What is the brand name of tizanidine hydrochloride?

Answer 1

Zanaflex

Question 2

What strength tablets are available for Zanaflex?

Answer 2

2mg & 4mg

Question 3

What strength capsules are available of tizanidine hydrochloride?

Answer 3

2 mg, 4 mg, 6 mg

Question 4

Are the tablet & capsule formulations of tizanidine hydrochloride AB-rated equivalent?

Answer 4

No.

Question 5

What is the FDA approved indication and dose of tizanidine hydrochloride?

Answer 5

For the short-term treatment of spasticity:

Dose: Start with 4 mg given every 6 to 8 hours with a maximum of three doses in 24 hours. Increase and 2 mg to 4 mg increments to achieve maximum therapeutic response. Maximum daily dose is 36 mg.

Dosage in patients with renal impairment: decrease the frequency of dosing in these patients

Question 6

What should the providers monitor when their patient is taking zanaflex?

Answer 6

Liver Function Tests

Question 7

What is the mechanism of action of tizanidine hydrochloride?

Answer 7

Tizanidine is an agonist at alpha-2-adrenergic receptor sites and presumably reduce asbestos city by increasing presynaptic inhibition of motor neurons.

Question 8

What are the drug interactions of Zanaflex?

Answer 8

• Oral contraceptives decrease tizanidine clearance.

- May cause additive CNS adverse effects when used with alcohol and other CNS depressants.

Question 9

What are the contraindications of tizanidine hydrochloride?

Answer 9

• Tizanidine may cause hypotension, use with caution in patients receiving antihypertensive treatment, especially those receiving other alpha-2 adrenergic agonist.
• Occasional cases of liver injury happened reported during therapy.
• Monitor liver enzymes before and during treatment and stop therapy is liver function tests increase to greater than three times the normal limit.
• Use with caution in patients with renal impairment.
• Animal studies have shown does related retinal degeneration and corneal opacities.
• Pregnancy Category C

Question 10

What are the adverse effects of Zanaflex?

Answer 10

• More frequently adverse effects include dry mouth, drowsiness, asthenia, bradycardia, hypotension, and dizziness.
• Less frequent include constipation, abnormal liver function tests, blurred vision, rhinitis, nervousness, vomiting, speech disorder, and pharyngitis.

Question 11

What should the RPh tell a patient when counseling them on use of tizanidine hydrochloride?

Answer 11

• May be taken with food or milk if GI upset occurs.
• May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Use caution while operating machinery or when mental alertness is required. - If a dose is missed, skip the missed dose and return to your dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
• Contact a physician if unexplained muscle weakness, tenderness, or pain or blurred vision occurs