Tizanidine vs Flexeril Comparison and Other Zanaflex Alternatives

Cyclobenzaprine and Tizanidine are both effective and safe options for treating muscle spasms and pain. Reviewing your symptoms, current medication list, and medical history with your healthcare provider is the best way to decide which muscle relaxer will work best. In comparison, Tizanidine is more direct – blocking the nerve signals in the brain, reducing activity of the muscles that cause muscles to spasm. Any missing drug warnings or information does not in any way guarantee the safety, effectiveness, or the lack of adverse effects of any drug.

• The side effect profile is similar between these two drugs; however, drowsiness tends to be more pronounced with Flexeril compared with Zanaflex.
• The best option depends on the injury or underlying condition and factors such as the person’s age and current medications.
• It also has many drug interactions and, as such, must be used with great care and only taken with medical recommendations.
• If you observe an increase in dizziness, confusion or abnormal behavior after taking these medications, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention.
• TABLE 3 gives a summary of possible alternatives.17 For patients with lower back pain, it is important to understand that most pain resolves on its own and does not require medical treatment.

If you think you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call your doctor immediately or call 911 (if within the United States). Our writers and reviewers are experienced professionals in flexeril and citalopram medicine, addiction treatment, and healthcare. AddictionResource fact-checks all the information before publishing and uses only credible and trusted sources when citing any medical data.

Some of the popular and commonly prescribed muscle relaxants are briefly described below. These are prescription drugs and are typically only used when certain medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), have not provided sufficient pain relief from muscle spasms. Zanaflex (tizanidine) is a skeletal muscle relaxant used for the treatment and management of skeletal muscle spasticity, typically resulting from neurological problems. It works on alpha 2 receptors in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and blocks nerve impulses from reaching muscles, which produces muscle relaxation. Zanaflex (tizanidine) and Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) are muscle relaxants used to treat painful musculoskeletal conditions.

What Are Tizanidine Versus Cyclobenzaprine Similarities?

Currently, there is no clinical data showing a direct comparison between these two drugs. Tizanidine and Flexeril are both muscle relaxers that can be used with a physical therapy program. If your doctor has presented these options to you, you may be considering which one is right for you and wondering how they compare. Read on to find out what each drug does so that you are informed when you speak with your doctor about the best medication to take.

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The specific use of these medications may vary depending on the individual patient, their medical condition, and the healthcare professional’s assessment. However, there is much more clinical research on the effects of cyclobenzaprine for fibromyalgia than tizanidine. Although not common, in some cases tizanidine and cyclobenzaprine have been misused or abused. You also shouldn’t stop taking tizanidine or cyclobenzaprine suddenly.

In some circumstances, tizanidine might be used safely in this case. Health insurance plans usually cover the generic forms of both drugs without prior authorization. In many cases, insurance companies will require a prior authorization for Zanaflex or Amrix (a current brand name for extended-release cyclobenzaprine). Generally, the brand-name drugs are more expensive than the generics.

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The drug comparison information found in this article does not contain any data from clinical trials with human participants or animals performed by any of the drug manufacturers comparing the drugs. They may then increase the dosage, depending on the person’s response. Antispastics and antispasmodics have different indications and side effects.

It is always essential to seek professional advice when getting treatment. A doctor can help the individual to select the best substitute for Zanaflex and choose between Flexeril, Baclofen, and Soma. Another potent and occasionally used muscle-relaxing drug is Valium. Diazepam, marketed as Valium, is a benzodiazepine that is available in oral suspension tablets and injections. In contrast, Alprazolam causes severe after-effects such as memory loss, decreased libido, and speech disturbances and is also habit-forming.

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When taken together with alcohol or alcoholic beverages, they may interact to cause severe CNS depression. They also share some common side effects, such as drowsiness, dizziness, and stomach agitation. However, like other muscle relaxers, it can be abused by some people. Abuse and dependence may occur with long-term use and lead to addictive habits. You should never take both medications together as you significantly increase the severity of side effects, including the risk of experiencing a muscle relaxer overdose. For most patients, the recommended dose of Flexeril is 5 mg three times a day.

Are cyclobenzaprine and Zanaflex safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding?

Over 100 trials comparing muscle relaxants such as Lioresal (baclofen), Soma (carisoprodol), Robaxin (methocarbamol), Skelaxin (metaxalone), and Valium were included in the meta-analysis (diazepam). Overall, the study discovered that the efficacy and safety of these medications are equal. Muscle relaxants, according to certain guidelines, produce drowsiness and should only be used for a short period. Patients with low back pain or fibromyalgia may benefit from treatment with cyclobenzaprine. Recent evidence showed similar effectiveness at half of its manufacturer recommended dose (5 mg), but with fewer adverse effects.33 It may optimally be used in younger patients with limited or no medical conditions. Higher doses of cyclobenzaprine or tizanidine would be appropriate to promote sedation in cases of more severe discomfort or perceived muscular spasm.