Tizanidine vs Flexeril Comparison and Other Zanaflex Alternatives

Your doctor can help you figure out which drug is best for your situation. Patients with low back pain or fibromyalgia may benefit from treatment with cyclobenzaprine. Higher doses of cyclobenzaprine or tizanidine would be appropriate to promote sedation in cases of more severe discomfort or perceived muscular spasm. Although there appears to be insufficient data on metaxalone and methocarbamol, these may be useful in patients who cannot tolerate the sedative properties of cyclobenzaprine or tizanidine.

• Flexeril therapy typically begins with a dosage of 5 mg three times per day.
• The generic version of Flexeril, cyclobenzaprine, is widely available.
• Make your tax-deductible gift and be a part of the cutting-edge research and care that’s changing medicine.
• 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.
• It works by blocking signals between motor nerves to relax muscle tone.

Because of its sedative properties, Valium can be used to treat sleep disorders. Alprazolam, marketed under the brand name Xanax, belongs to the benzodiazepines drug class. Although it is an FDA-approved anxiolytic, it helps relieve muscle tension and spasms from anxiety or panic attacks.

However, Xanax is primarily used to treat seizures, anxiety disorder, and premenstrual syndrome. In contrast to Zanaflex, Methocarbamol can be administered orally and parentally and is one of the cheapest muscle relaxants available. Methocarbamol vs. Tizanidine are potent centrally acting muscle relaxants that share many similarities. Some people may abuse Flexeril by mixing it with alcohol or opioids to enhance the effects of these other drugs. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Initially take mg by mouth every 6 to 8 hours for up to 3 doses in 24 hours.

What are muscle relaxers?

I was sucked in by addiction, and with my mind, I kept thinking it was OK because a doctor was prescribing this for me, a doctor was giving me this, a doctor was giving me that. At We Level Up, various therapeutic techniques are utilized in their treatment approach. Individual counseling creates a nurturing environment where individuals can delve into the root causes of their addiction and address any emotional issues contributing to their struggles. Even if you have failed previously and relapsed, or are in the middle of a difficult crisis, we stand ready to support you.

Tizanidine and cyclobenzaprine use in high doses can cause liver damage. However, a study of long-term tizanidine use concluded that this medicine is relatively safe, effective, and well-tolerated. However, no research suggests that long-term cyclobenzaprine use is safe or effective. Based on each medication’s dosage schedules, tizanidine could be slightly stronger over time. Treatment on either medicine starts with a small dose that is gradually increased under a doctor or pharmacist’s direction. Zanaflex (What is Zanaflex?) is the brand name for tizanidine and acts as an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist.

Gabapentin: The most dangerous drug in America? – Dentistry IQ

Gabapentin: The most dangerous drug in America?.

Posted: Mon, 18 Apr 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Despite being on the market for longer than tizanidine, cyclobenzaprine’s usage rate has remained fairly consistent over recent years. However, cost should not be your primary consideration when deciding https://flexeril.live between these two muscle relaxants. 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.

Robaxin is most effective in the treatment of severe acute postoperative pain due to major orthopedic surgeries. It is also prescribed alongside rest and physical therapy for spasms due to tetanus, strokes, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Zanaflex is a newer drug FDA-approved for muscle spasticity due to multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries. Flexeril is an older drug that has been more heavily studied for musculoskeletal pain and spasms. The better drug is the one that works best for your specific condition.

What are the side effects of muscle relaxers?

This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 3 Sep 2023), Cerner Multum™ (updated 28 Aug 2023), ASHP (updated 10 Aug 2023) and others. Flexeril is also covered by most Medicare and insurance plans when it’s prescribed as a generic. Immediate-release tablets are commonly prescribed to be taken multiple times per day. The average retail cost for a cyclobenzaprine prescription can run around $42. You can also take advantage of a Flexeril coupon to get a reduced price of around $7 at a participating pharmacy.

Fibromyalgia Treatments: 13 Ways to Alleviate Pain – Healthline

Fibromyalgia Treatments: 13 Ways to Alleviate Pain.

Posted: Tue, 26 Sep 2017 03:06:21 GMT [source]

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.

Both tizanidine (Zanaflex) and cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) are effective muscle relaxants commonly used for the treatment of muscle spasms. They were approved by the FDA only a few years apart, with Flexeril having been available slightly longer than Zanaflex. Research is lacking on whether or not antispasmodics are more effective in treating muscle pain and spasms than NSAIDs or acetaminophen. Antispasmodics have more side effects than NSAIDs and acetaminophen, so it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of taking these medications. Muscle relaxers (also called muscle relaxants) are prescription medications that affect muscle function.