Zanafex vs Flexeril: What to Know About Each

This article will describe some of the commonly prescribed muscle relaxants. We will also discuss which muscle relaxant is best for different indications (types of muscle pain). Comparison between Baclofen vs. Tizanidine depicts the similarities between them. They are both administered to treat sustained muscle contractions due to debilitating musculoskeletal conditions like multiple sclerosis. However, unlike Zanaflex, Baclofen is a first-choice treatment for spasms.

• Nonetheless, inconsistency of treatment has the potential to tremendously reduce the efficacy of dantrolene, both as a muscle relaxant and pain reliever from spasticity.
• Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
• However, evidence of their effectiveness consists mainly of studies with poor methodologic design.
• Muscle relaxants are used to treat muscle spasticity (stiffness or rigidity).

You also shouldn’t stop taking tizanidine or cyclobenzaprine suddenly. This is especially likely if you’ve been taking either drug for a long time. Cyclobenzaprine likely treats fibromyalgia by increasing the effects of norepinephrine, a substance in your brain and spinal cord that helps reduce pain signals. Dr. Roger Weiss is a practicing mental health specialist at the hospital. Dr. Weiss combines his clinical practice and medical writing career since 2009. Apart from these activities, Dr. Weiss also delivers lectures for youth, former addicts, and everyone interested in topics such as substance abuse and treatment.

Can I use Zanaflex or Flexeril while pregnant?

However, in general, Tizanidine is considered to have a stronger muscle relaxant effect compared to Cyclobenzaprine. Even if you have failed previously and relapsed, or are in the middle of a difficult crisis, we stand ready to support you. When you feel ready or just want someone to speak to about therapy alternatives to change your life call us. Even if we cannot assist you, we will lead you to wherever you can get support. The choice between Cyclobenzaprine and Tizanidine depends on individual patient factors, medical history, and the specific nature of the treated condition. Consulting with a healthcare professional is crucial to determine the most appropriate medication for each individual’s needs.

In contrast, Alprazolam causes severe after-effects such as memory loss, decreased libido, and speech disturbances and is also habit-forming. Xanax also reacts with grapefruits, grapefruit juice, and alcohol to cause severe side effects. However, since it is related to the tricyclic antidepressants, some of which are excreted in breast milk, caution is advised in using this medication in women who are breastfeeding.

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It is often sold under the brand name Zanaflex and is helpful for treating spinal injuries as well as neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Tizanidine is usually prescribed alongside physical therapy to help ease discomfort during treatment. Flexeril therapy typically begins with a dosage of 5 mg three times per day. The dose can then be increased to up to 10 mg three times a day, depending on tolerance and efficacy. These doses should be spaced evenly throughout the day, ideally eight hours apart.

BACK AND NECK PAIN

Skeletal muscle relaxants are widely used in treating musculoskeletal conditions. However, evidence of their effectiveness consists mainly of studies with poor can flexeril cause seizures methodologic design. In addition, these drugs have not been proven to be superior to acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for low back pain.

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Prescribing physicians may be at fault for not providing clearly structured treatment guidelines and routine follow-up to ensure that adherence is maintained. Dantrolene has a fairly complex dosing routine when indicated for chronic spasticity from CP. It starts with once daily doses that are to be incrementally increased to an eventual four times daily dose. Zanaflex has been approved to treat muscle spasticity linked to multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries. Flexeril, or cyclobenzaprine, is used to treat skeletal muscle pain and spasms. Your doctor can help you figure out which drug is best for your situation.

The better medicine is the one that is most effective for your condition. Consult a doctor for assistance in determining the best course of action for you (Dickerson, L.M., 2010). Skeletal muscle relaxants are a sedating class of medications used to treat spasticity and pain. Their sedative properties can pose a risk for geriatric patients who are predisposed to falls. It is important for the pharmacist to assess the patient before dispensing medications.

Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 3 Sep 2023), Cerner Multum™ (updated 28 Aug 2023), ASHP (updated 10 Aug 2023) and others. They differ by the dosage prescribed and treatment length, and they also have different half-lives, the time it takes for the drug to reduce by one-half, or 50 percent, in the bloodstream. Zanaflex’s half-life is roughly 2.5 hours, while Flexeril’s half-life is 18 hours.

Cyclobenzaprine should be taken at doses ranging from 5-10 mg three times per day with no more than 30 mg daily, while Tizanidine usually begins with 2-4 mg per day but can increase up to 36 mg as needed. Zanaflex may be harmful to the unborn baby according to animal studies. There have been no adequate animal or human studies that show Flexeril is harmful while pregnant. Muscle relaxers should only be used if there are clear benefits that outweigh potential risks. Seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for treatment options while pregnant. Drugs that block, or inhibit, this enzyme can increase Zanaflex levels in the body.