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Tizanidine User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

Brand names: Zanaflex

Tizanidine has an average rating of 6.1 out of 10 from a total of 354 reviews on Drugs.com. 48% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 30% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Tizanidine

  • Pasto...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • July 27, 2017

Zanaflex (tizanidine) for Muscle Spasm "I have been taking Tizanadine for 10 yrs. for severe muscle spasticity in neck and back due to RSD/CRPS, plus spinal stenosis, bulging discs, and previous car accident neck and spine injuries. Dose: 4 mg, 3 daily, usually 4 mg in the morning and 8 mg at night. I have found it very helpful. At first, it was very sedating, but not after a year or so. It does help me sleep. Works best with the help of pain meds and Baclofen cream. I had a serious drug interaction with SSRI antidepressants (particularly Luvox): actually passed out in my soup at a restaurant the first time I took them together. Hope this helps."

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  • Another...
  • October 29, 2014

Zanaflex (tizanidine) for Muscle Spasm "I've been on various pain meds and muscle relaxants for years. Soma was working till these past 6 months. I have severe Spinal Stenosis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Had Cervical Fusion in C5 & C in Jan 1st 2014, had Lumbar fusion in L5 & L4 about 5 years ago & now have Severe Herniated Discs again at the L5 S1 region with nasty nerve pain radiating down Entire right leg to toes, along with Nasty Muscle Spasms & will be having another surgery soon. Been taking this for 3 days & doing great so far!"

9 / 10
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  • Oodle...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 25, 2017

Zanaflex (tizanidine) for Cluster Headaches "Absolutely love this medication. I suffer from chronic migraines and daily headaches. I take 4mg of Zanaflex at breakfast, 2mg at lunch, and 4mg at bedtime. I'll take 6mg during a migraine attack and it helps tremendously with the pain, helps me sleep, and actually helps with the nausea. Zanaflex made me very drowsy at first and still does taken at doses of 4mg. Overall, incredibly helpful drug!"

9 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • Belinda
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • January 17, 2015

Zanaflex (tizanidine) for Muscle Spasm "I was prescribed Zanaflex for muscle spasms and to help me sleep. I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, osteo/degenerative arthritis, sciatica, and an unspecified autoimmune disorder. It was prescribed as 3-4mg tablets at bedtime but that was too high a dose for me. Sometimes, I have the side effect of really low BP, although I have been taking HIGH BP meds for 5+ years. It doesn't happen all the time (when I take it) but it is very scary when it does happen. I have black outs, feel incredibly high, and can't hold my eyes open, at times. The blood pressure drops have happened, in the past, when I was not on Zanaflex, but this medication just seems to make it worse and I am not going to take it anymore. The side effects are too scary."

6 / 10
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  • Slip...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 15, 2019

For Muscle Spasm "I have terrible back issues from a herniated disc. Pain and muscle spasms constantly and this drug tizanidine works! It had helped me so much that now I can do a heck of a lot more physical activity and most importantly I CAN SLEEP. Without this drug I was lucky to get 5 to 6 hours of sleep a night. It does make me dizzy sometimes which sucks but its well worth it."

8 / 10
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Are you taking this medicine?

  • Tater
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • August 10, 2018

Zanaflex (tizanidine) for Muscle Spasm "I've been on this medication for about a year now I'm prescribed 4mg three times a day. I can't take the whole 4mg during the day or else I'll be to sedated so I break it in half. It has worked well for me especially when I can't sleep and I take a whole dose. I try not to take it everyday so I keep a low tolerance to it. I have fibromyalgia along with other health issues."

6 / 10
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  • tunatea
  • September 21, 2013

Zanaflex (tizanidine) for Muscle Spasm "This has served duty as a sleep aid and muscle relaxer. I seemed to never get sleep until I tried this. My neck pain is much better. Only bad note is I'm a little more tired but it's worth it for the pay offs."

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  • candys...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 18, 2014

Zanaflex (tizanidine) for Muscle Spasm "I was prescribed this medication for muscle pain related to rheumatoid arthritis and chronic tendonitis. Personally I'm VERY sensitive to this medication and suffer the "rare: side effects slurred speech, hallucinations (only at night) disorientation (I've gotten lost in my own room twice when I take 4 mg) low heart rate. The highest dose I have taken is 8mg with Xanax for my anxiety, once I stayed awake although drowsy, I watched a movie; the second time I woke up in ICU for bradycardia, hypotension and change in level of consciousness. Despite talking this daily for 2 months, I still have side effects. My husband says this medicine makes me drunk. I have been taking 1mg at a time. It does work well."

8 / 10
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  • Zan
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 26, 2019

For Muscle Spasm "I have severe scoliosis which causes me immense pain. I am in pain 24/7 but night is the worst. I am waiting for health insurance to get surgery so In the mean time my doctor prescribed me this. I couldn’t sleep at all before this drug. I would go 3-4 days of no sleep driving me to the point of tears. This pill makes me so light and relaxed that I can fall asleep for at least 4 hours which is a God sent for me!"

10 / 10
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  • Ninasky
  • May 16, 2015

For Cluster Headaches "I've tried everything for my cluster headaches per my doctor with little success but this medication in combination with topamax seems to be *magic*!!! I feel like a new person! When I first went to my neurologist I was deeply depressed because a day didn't go by that I wasn't suffering from a headache and I would cry at night wishing that in the morning I wake up headache free. And for the first time in my life I am. I pray this doesn't change!!"

9 / 10
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  • ison
  • March 27, 2009

Zanaflex (tizanidine) for Muscle Spasm "I have degenerative disc disease, with anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (bone graft/metal plate and screws) of C5, C6 & C7; for 10 years. I suffer from frequent migraines, severe muscle spasms of the neck, left shoulder and left arm. I have tried every muscle relaxer on the shelf and Zanaflex has been the only one that actually gives me relief and comfort to function and sleep through the night. The only side effect that I have experienced is dry mouth. I just drink more water. I have constant pain and work 12-14 hours per day, six days a week. Zanaflex along with my pain medicines have allowed me to make it through the day without total misery. Also, upon waking in the morning, I don't have that 'hangover' feeling as with others."

10 / 10
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  • Samson
  • September 17, 2016

Zanaflex (tizanidine) for Muscle Spasm "I have been on xanaflex 4mg 3x a day that I take at night ti help me sleep. It helps the muscle spasms in my legs and allows me to sleep. The only problem I have is that it only lasts 4 hours and then I wake up. Works best if you take thr xanaflex, wait 30 minutes and then eat something and the xanaflex will work that much better."

6 / 10
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  • Cereb...
  • November 1, 2013

Zanaflex (tizanidine) for Muscle Spasm "This medicine helps me sleep but that's the best i can say about it. It doesn't relieve pain or help relax my spastisity. If your pain and problems are only at night this is good for you. I hallucinate a lot once I adjusted to the dose it changed but if I ever have to take more than usual then I start to hear and see things......I had conversations with my husband in the middle of the night when he wasn't there. And many other accounts. I would suggest you use caution. I have a very high level of muscle pain for many reasons and I'm very spastic so its not a surprise that Zanaflex doesn't work as well as I'd like for me. I will continue to take it while i explore other options. It isn't a bad medication."

4 / 10
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  • Ralphie
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • February 15, 2020

For Muscle Spasm "I’ve suffered from dystonia for about ten years. The only medication that helps is a muscle relaxer. After years on Valium, my movement disorders neurologist wanted me to try something less addictive, so I tried baclofen, then clonopin, neither of which was very effective. Now on tizanidine (zanaflex) at a relatively high dosage, I’ve acclimated to the sedative effects and am now experiencing far less discomfort and pain. I’m very pleased with the effects of this medication."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • May 31, 2008

Zanaflex (tizanidine) for Muscle Spasm "Wonderful drug! Now available in generic so it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I have severe disc and arthritic problems in my neck with severe muscle spasms, and this really helps. At first, when starting this medication, it can cause a serious dopey feeling, but this can be eased by gradually increasing the dose until benefits are produced. I am on 4mg 3 times a day and allowed to use 8mg 3 times a day if my muscles are extremely spastic. Do not drive when taking this medication until you understand its effects."

10 / 10
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  • micky...
  • February 7, 2015

Zanaflex (tizanidine) "Zanaflex is "the best" muscle relaxer besides Xanax. It will dry your mouth out but the good outweighs that. This will put you to sleep in 30-45 minutes. No hangovers and memory loss and getting up in middle of night and eating like Ambien makes you. Can take 1/2 during day when required for tight, knotty, hard muscles that hurt so bad from multiple bad surgeries."

10 / 10
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  • rrdul...
  • August 13, 2009

Zanaflex (tizanidine) for Cluster Headaches "I take Zanaflex for chronic tension/cluster headaches. I was suffering daily with tension headaches and I also get migraines. This drug has been a lifesaver for me. I have tried everything. Imitrex is still good for the migraine when one will slip through and you are not able to take this during the day. This medicine will cause you to sleep. I take it just before bed. But I have actually had days without a headache, and before this medication, that was not possible. I was truly waking up and going to bed each day with a horrible headache, and as a high school teacher, that made my job a lot harder. I am still on Topamax to keep the migraines from breaking through. I am hoping when I go through menopause, all this will go away."

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  • FEDOUT
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 20, 2017

For Muscle Spasm "I have been taking carisoprodol for about 6 years (1 at bedtime) for muscle spasms and a perfect 8 hours of sleep. My doctor will no longer prescribe it due to the FDA interfering in my health. Tizanidine does make me drowsy, but it is only good for about 6 hours, and then I am awake 2 hours before I should be. Severe dry mouth while sleeping is not good. Overall blah feeling due to lack of sleep. Drugs aren't addictive. People are. The Feds need to get out of my healthcare. They can't even balance a budget."

4 / 10
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  • Grandma...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • January 30, 2019

For Muscle Spasm "I've been plagued by low back pain, severe muscle spasms and migraines for over 30 years. I've been prescribed too many ineffective or dangerous drugs over those years. I was not expecting much when Tizanidine was prescribed for me. I think this medication has given me back a life and a pain level I can deal with. I use the 4 mg tabs, scored to be able to break in 4. I have found the effectiveness varies. some days I use 3 tabs as prescribed other days 1 or 2 is good enough. I appreciate how quickly this leaves the system. Not everything about this is amazing, some days a whole tab leaves me zombified for several hours. But, for me a retired 63 year old woman. I use this time to rest."

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  • DrugE...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • February 6, 2015

Zanaflex (tizanidine) for Muscle Spasm "Take this for Neck Spasms after surgery. Taking now for 2 years. Had major surgery. Do not think this is good for me, anyways. I can not stay awake when I take it, thus, I have to take it only at night, and cannot drive, and please do not drive if you take this medication as it, for me, puts me right out. Told 3 doctors this, they will not give me another med for neck spasms and cramps so I use it as I can. It helps, but does make me dizzy and extremely sleepy. If you have sleep Apnea, be VERY cautious!"

3 / 10
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  • Rexie
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • July 3, 2019

For Cluster Headaches "I began taking this medication in September 2018. It has been so helpful for my 24/7 head pain that came as a result of Hashimoto encephalitis disease activity against my brain. Also I suffered from long term subluxed ribs that cause horrible pain and pressure in my right eye. The tizanidine has helped give me rest, pain relief and has calmed my anxiety. Basically has helped give me my life back and I am so thankful!"

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • August 23, 2008

Zanaflex (tizanidine) for Muscle Spasm "I have been on Zanaflex for about a month now. I have tried many muscle relaxers that have not worked at all. I take 4mg three times a day. It is a lot better than other medications I have been on. Flexeril didn't do anything at all, and Soma just made me totally loopy. Zanaflex relaxes me so well while still allowing me to operate regularly. I highly recommend this medicine, and for those who are just starting, be careful when driving on this. For the first week, I only took it before bedtime, then on a day off work I took it shortly after waking up and noticed it didn't have any major effects on me except calming my back and neck spasms."

9 / 10
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  • Jamie
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • November 8, 2018

For Muscle Spasm "Herniated discs in my neck and back. Back spasms and extreme neck spasms. Sometimes as a 'bonus' they cause migraines/tension headaches. For years they gave me Flexeril, which I hated. It made me lethargic and groggy for almost two days. Finally doctor switched me to tizanidine. What a relief! For me there are no bad side effects. They help me go to sleep in no time, and when I wake up I don't feel groggy or drugged since it has a short half life. I prefer the tablets. Food supposedly affects the level, but I don't notice any difference in strength if I've eaten something. I think it's great just as a sleeping aid in general, and also should be considered for tension headaches. I am grateful tizanidine exists to help."

10 / 10
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  • Teezy
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • October 26, 2019

"I know I left a review once before but this medicine is truly the cure-all for me. I either get, or receive and cure horrible brain zaps from this drug. Haven't taken an SSRI in over 3 years. Rarely take 1 Klonopin. Doctors don't understand brain zaps yet, but they are horrible! I take it for insomnia primarily then headaches, and the brain zaps. Also, be careful not to let your blood pressure drop too low when taking tizanidine. That's a legitimate problem that I seem to survive nightly except for some rare mornings when it gets too low. I have somewhat new nasal allergies and rosacea, suddenly new joint pain at 39. My only cure-all is tizanidine, it really makes everything feel better and helps me sleep. I have had lower back pain for about 14 years and it does nothing for that but it's wonderous for falling asleep without waking up groggy and nixing my random ailments. Hope this is helpful for someone."

10 / 10
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  • Chito...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • October 15, 2013

For Muscle Spasm "I've had several lower back issues for the majority of my life including surgery. I used to take Flexeril but didn't like the way it made me feel. I told my doc and he switched me to Zanaflex. It has been a God send especially when it comes to sleep. I used to take Ambien but has severe side effects including a dangerous sleepwalking episode. I have replaced Flexeril and Ambien with Zanaflex with incredible results. I take it before bed and am able to get a great nights rest without that horrible "drunk"/drowsy feeling when I get up. The only drawback is I do get very tired approximately 30 min after taking it so I don't use it during the day."

10 / 10
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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.