Zanaflex vs Flexeril: Side Effects and Differences

Alcohol and muscle relaxers are both depressants, which means they slow down your central nervous system. If you take them together, the side effects are much more intense, which can be dangerous. The two main possible complications of taking muscle relaxers are the potential for overdose and dangerous interactions with alcohol.

Opioid Withdrawal: A New Look At Medication Options – PracticalPainManagement.com

Opioid Withdrawal: A New Look At Medication Options.

Posted: Tue, 10 Nov 2015 08:00:00 GMT [source]

If you experience any other symptoms that concern you while taking either medication, seek medical advice promptly. Easily book a session with our online doctors to assist you with a wide range of non-life-threatening illnesses (including mental health conditions) from the comfort of your own home. Depending on the reason for choosing a different medication, any choice can be a good alternative. 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. Diazepam relieves muscle pain and rigidity arising from inflammation and trauma.

Learn More About These Treatments

You may also report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA by visiting the FDA MedWatch website or calling FDA-1088. Zanaflex is used to treat conditions such as multiple sclerosis or spinal injury. Seek immediate medical attention if you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of an overdose. Behavioral therapies equip individuals with healthy coping mechanisms and valuable skills to manage cravings and triggers effectively. Furthermore, medication management may be integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan when appropriate. It is important to remember that the strength or effectiveness of a muscle relaxant can vary from person to person, and what may work well for one individual may not be as effective for another.

Muscle Pain: Possible Causes – Verywell Health

Muscle Pain: Possible Causes.

Posted: Sun, 18 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Zanaflex is commonly prescribed to treat spasticity from multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord injury. Flexeril is often prescribed to relieve muscle pain and spasms caused by back and neck strains. Zanaflex works to alleviate muscle spasticity by increasing the amount of alpha-2-adrenergic agonist available in the body. It does this by acting as an agonist at alpha-2 receptors located in the central nervous system, which reduces nerve impulse transmission and thus relaxes tense muscles. Alpha-2-adrenergic receptors are a type of receptor found on nerve cells that respond to norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating blood pressure, heart rate, sleep cycles and more. Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) and Zanaflex (tizanidine hydrochloride) are muscle relaxants used to treat muscle tightness and cramping (spasm) caused by acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Like other muscle relaxants, Zanaflex and Flexeril work in the central nervous system (CNS). The drug comparisons information provided does not cover every potential use, warning, drug interaction, side effect, or adverse or allergic reaction. RxList.com assumes no responsibility for any healthcare administered to a person based on the information found on this site.

Compare Drugs

The sedating effect may be beneficial for patients who have trouble sleeping due to their painful musculoskeletal condition. Flexeril can be particularly effective in treating acute muscular conditions caused by trauma or strain but should not be used for longer than two weeks. While both medications are muscle relaxers, they differ in side effects, risks, and what they are used to treat.

Your doctor will likely use dose titration to wean you off Tizanidine slowly. Depending on the type of muscle relaxer, there are different forms in which you can take them, such as tablets, capsules, solutions or injections. But providers usually only prescribe them for brief periods due to the addiction potential of certain types. I wanted to be trusted; I wanted relationships back that I lost, mainly my children and family. It started innocent enough, I got into a car accident, and then I got sucked into the whole, you know, medication issue with the pills.

• It’s important to talk to your provider or a pharmacist about possible side effects of the specific medication you’re taking or thinking of taking.
• Although its exact mechanism of action is unknown, it is believed to manage muscle spasticity through the inhibition of motor nerve signals.
• It is always essential to seek professional advice when getting treatment.
• In rare cases, liver problems from these drugs may cause hepatitis (inflammation of your liver) and jaundice (yellowing of your skin and whites of eyes).
• This makes it one of the most widely-used drugs within this class, accounting for nearly half of all muscle relaxant prescriptions nationwide.

The dosage may then be increased to 10 mg orally three times a day based on how the person responds. Treatment with the extended-release form starts with an initial dose of 15 mg once a day that may be increased to 30 mg based on the person’s response. However, like other muscle relaxers, what are flexeril used for it can be abused by some people. Abuse and dependence may occur with long-term use and lead to addictive habits. Drinking alcohol while taking Zanaflex or Flexeril can enhance the sedative effects of these drugs. It is not generally recommended to drink alcohol with muscle relaxants.

How to Find an Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Center Near You

In general, antispastic medications act on your spinal cord or skeletal muscle directly to improve muscle tightness (hypertonicity) and involuntary spasms. The different types and brands of skeletal muscle relaxers work in different ways to affect muscle function. Most muscle relaxers act as central nervous system depressants and cause a sedative effect, or prevent your nerves from sending pain signals to your brain.

Zanaflex and Flexeril can enhance their effects and lead to increased dizziness and sedation. Zanaflex should be taken exactly as prescribed (consistently either with or without food) and not to switch between tablets and capsules. Inform patients that they should not take more Zanaflex than prescribed because of the risk of adverse events at single doses greater than 8 mg or total daily doses greater than 36 mg. Tell patients that they should not suddenly discontinue Zanaflex, because rebound hypertension and tachycardia may occur. If you become addicted to Tizanidine and need help, contact your doctor or a detox center near you that can help you wean off and manage withdrawal symptoms.