Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDifferences and SimilaritiesWhat Is Tizanidine?What Is Cyclobenzaprine?Preventing Side EffectsSummary
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Differences and Similarities
What Is Tizanidine?
What Is Cyclobenzaprine?
Preventing Side Effects
Summary
Muscle relaxers are prescription medications that are often used to treat discomfort associated with muscle spasms, strains, and other muscle and skeletal conditions.However, they are not considered first-line therapies for these conditions and are generally not intended for long-term use.
Tizanidine and cyclobenzaprine are two commonly used muscle relaxers. While they are both effective and treat similar conditions, they have features and distinct properties that set them apart.
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This medication is available in tablet and capsule forms. The recommended starting dose is 2 milligrams (mg) every six to eight hours, with a maximum of three doses allowed in 24 hours.
Tizanidine should be avoided if you are taking any of the following medications:
Benefits of Tizanidine
Advantages of taking tizanidine include:
Side Effects of Tizanidine
The most common side effects associated with tizanidine use are:
You should also monitor for low blood pressure, especially if taking blood pressure–lowering medication simultaneously.
Talk to your healthcare provider about stopping tizanidine if you experience hallucinations. Avoid using tizanidine with alcohol or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, such asbenzodiazepinesand opioids.
Cyclobenzaprine, which is sold under the brand name Amrix, is also a short-acting muscle relaxer. The FDA has approved it to treat muscle spasms associated with painful musculoskeletal conditions in adults and children 15 years or older.It is also used for rest and physical therapy.
Immediate-release cyclobenzaprine has been used off-label—that is, for a condition or at a dosage level that differs from what the FDA approved it for—to treatfibromyalgia, which is chronic and widespread muscle pain, in adults. However, it is not FDA-approved for this use, and clinical trials have not proven it to be safe or effective for this indication.
For dosing:
Cyclobenzaprine should not be taken with or within 14 days after stopping amonoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as Marplan (isocarboxazid), Nardil (phenelzine), or Emsam (selegiline), due to the risk of severe side effects.
Cyclobenzaprine use should be avoided if you are taking any of the following medications:
Be sure your healthcare provider is aware of all supplements, prescription, or over-the-counter medications you take. If treatment with cyclobenzaprine and another medication that poses a potential interaction risk is necessary, notify your healthcare provider of any side effects you experience.
Benefits of Cyclobenzaprine
Benefits of cyclobenzaprine use include:
Side Effects of Cyclobenzaprine
The most common side effects associated with cyclobenzaprine use are:
Avoid using cyclobenzaprine with alcohol or other CNS depressants, such as benzodiazepines and opioids.
Use with caution if you have a history of urinary retention, angle-closure glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, or if you are taking an anticholinergic medication (used to manage brain, bladder, and digestive conditions), such asBenadryl (diphenhydramine)or Oxytrol (oxybutynin).
Cyclobenzaprine should not be used if you have a history of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or certain heart conditions, such as arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) or congestive heart failure (syndrome that results in decreased blood supply to the body).
It is important to monitor the potential side effects of tizanidine and cyclobenzaprine clearly. Side effects are also an important factor to consider when determining which medication is best for you.
Consider doing the following to lower your risk of experiencing side effects associated with tizanidine or cyclobenzaprine use:
Consult with your healthcare provider regarding any side effect concerns and seek your provider’s advice before stopping the medication.
Muscle relaxers are prescription medications often used to treat discomfort associated with muscle spasms, strains, and other muscle and skeletal conditions. Tizanidine and cyclobenzaprine are two effective, commonly used muscle relaxers. They work differently but also have some similarities.
These medications have similar side effects and interact with a variety of medications. There is no clinical research to suggest that one medication is better than the other.Choosing a muscle relaxer should be based on individual medication characteristics and your specific situation.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.See S, Ginzburg R.Choosing a skeletal muscle relaxant.Am Fam Physician. 2008;78(3):365-370.Chou R, Peterson K, Helfand M.Comparative efficacy and safety of skeletal muscle relaxants for spasticity and musculoskeletal conditions: a systematic review.J Pain Symptom Manage. 2004 Aug;28(2):140-75. doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2004.05.002American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Spasticity.Prescribers' Digital Reference.Zanaflex.Prescribers' Drug Reference.Flexeril.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.See S, Ginzburg R.Choosing a skeletal muscle relaxant.Am Fam Physician. 2008;78(3):365-370.Chou R, Peterson K, Helfand M.Comparative efficacy and safety of skeletal muscle relaxants for spasticity and musculoskeletal conditions: a systematic review.J Pain Symptom Manage. 2004 Aug;28(2):140-75. doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2004.05.002American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Spasticity.Prescribers' Digital Reference.Zanaflex.Prescribers' Drug Reference.Flexeril.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
See S, Ginzburg R.Choosing a skeletal muscle relaxant.Am Fam Physician. 2008;78(3):365-370.Chou R, Peterson K, Helfand M.Comparative efficacy and safety of skeletal muscle relaxants for spasticity and musculoskeletal conditions: a systematic review.J Pain Symptom Manage. 2004 Aug;28(2):140-75. doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2004.05.002American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Spasticity.Prescribers' Digital Reference.Zanaflex.Prescribers' Drug Reference.Flexeril.
See S, Ginzburg R.Choosing a skeletal muscle relaxant.Am Fam Physician. 2008;78(3):365-370.
Chou R, Peterson K, Helfand M.Comparative efficacy and safety of skeletal muscle relaxants for spasticity and musculoskeletal conditions: a systematic review.J Pain Symptom Manage. 2004 Aug;28(2):140-75. doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2004.05.002
American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Spasticity.
Prescribers' Digital Reference.Zanaflex.
Prescribers' Drug Reference.Flexeril.
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