Is Tizanidine Addictive? Effects, Withdrawal & Treatment

Long-term tizanidine abuse would necessitate a person gradually increasing their dosage and making quitting impossible without support or medical detox. Moreover, using these high quantities is more likely to result in unpleasant side effects than a high. Continue reading to learn more about this condition.


What Is Tizanidine Used For? Is Tizanidine Addictive? What Is Tizanidine For? Uses Of Tizanidine

What’s Tizanidine? Tizanidine is an oral muscle relaxant or antispasmodic that is a prescribed drug used to treat muscle spasms and discomfort brought on by multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury.

What Does Tizanidine Do? Tizanidine Uses (Tizanidine Usage): Muscle hypertonia and rigidity are indications of certain health conditions. Tizanidine hydrochloride (Tizanidine HCL) is employed in certain situations as a muscle relaxant to lessen pain. Nonetheless, there is always a chance of using a medication, thus today’s query is: Is tizanidine addictive?

Tizanidine Drug Class (Tizanidine Class): Tizanidine Muscle Relaxer

Tizanidine is a painkiller, but is Tizanidine a narcotic? No. Tizanidine is a muscle relaxant, in contrast to narcotics, which are drugs that are typically used to alleviate pain by attaching to receptors in the neurological system, such as opioids.

Tizanidine, also known by the brand names (Tizanidine Brand Name or Tizanidine Generic Name) Comfort Pac-tizanidine and Zanaflex, is a member of the group of medications known as central alpha-2-adrenergic agonists. These medications impede the transmission of pain signals from the brain to the body, particularly pain felt near the areas of the skeletal muscles. In order to relax the muscles and relieve tension, spasms, and discomfort, Zanaflex slows down brain and nerve system communication. Tizanidine Other Names

Tizanidine Mechanism Of Action: Because of this, Zanaflex helps to lessen the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition that interferes with nerve function and causes weakness, lack of muscular coordination, visual issues, bladder control issues, and stroke. Back discomfort, spastic diplegia, and damage to the spine or central nervous system (CNS) are other symptoms that may call for the usage of tizanidine.

Tizanidine Side Effects (Side Effects Of Tizanidine): Side Effects For Tizanidine

Tizanidine Side Effect: The powdered form of tizanidine (tizanidine hydrochloride), which is manufactured into tablets (Tizanidine Pill) or capsules, is a white or off-white, fine crystalline powder with a mild odor. Afterward, these tablets are offered for sale under the Zanaflex brand name. Tizanidine should not be taken without a prescription as it is only available with one.

Tizanidine may have several undesirable side effects in addition to relieving pain. Most Common Side Effects Of Tizanidine (Side Effect Of Tizanidine):

  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Weakness
  • Nervousness
  • Depression
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Tingling sensation in the arms, legs, hands, and feet
  • Stomach pain and discomfort
  • Constipation
  • Dry mouth
  • Diarrhea
  • Heartburn
  • Back pain
  • Rash
  • Sweating
  • Increased muscle spasms

The more severe side effects of tizanidine include unusual bleeding or bruising, pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen, flu-like symptoms that are not explained, yellowing of the skin or eyes, and abnormalities in eyesight. See your doctor straight away if you suffer any of these side effects while taking Zanaflex.

Tizanidine Side Effects Urination (Muscle Relaxer Tizanidine)

Tizanidine often causes the adverse effects of dry mouth, dizziness, hypotension, and fatigue, but it has also occasionally been linked to inexplicable symptoms of cystitis and bladder infections. Healthcare professionals and pharmacists should be aware of such potential responses even though they are infrequently reported in order to provide better patient care.

There is little room for intervention when the etiology and mechanisms are unknown, yet doctors can always work to reduce any adverse medication reactions by carefully adhering to general precautions like avoiding drugs with contraindications, such as the use of tizanidine with CYP1A2 inhibitors.

Does Tizanidine Cause Weight Gain? Tizanidine Side Effects Weight Gain

It is unknown if tizanidine contributes to weight gain. In clinical trials, Tizanidine’s most frequent side effects were asthenia (weakness, exhaustion, or tiredness), dry mouth, sleepiness, and dizziness.

Does Tizanidine Make You Sleepy? Tizanidine Dosage for Sleep

Some people may experience vision issues, tiredness, lightheadedness, clumsiness, or dizziness after using this medication. Before driving, using machinery, or engaging in any activity that could be hazardous if you are not awake, coordinated, and able to see well, be sure you know how this medication affects you.

Tizanidine is an oral muscle relaxant or antispasmodic that is a prescribed drug used to treat muscle spasms and discomfort brought on by multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury.
What Is Tizanidine? Tizanidine For Pain: Tizanidine is an oral muscle relaxant or antispasmodic that is a prescribed drug used to treat muscle spasms and discomfort brought on by multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury.

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Tizanidine Factsheet

What is Tizanidine?

Tizanidine is an oral muscle relaxant or antispasmodic that is a prescribed drug used to treat muscle spasms and discomfort brought on by multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury.

Tizanidine is a muscle relaxant, in contrast to narcotics, which are drugs that are typically used to alleviate pain by attaching to receptors in the neurological system, such as opioids.


Tizanidine Addiction

Tizanidine can cause physical dependence despite not being as physically addictive as opioids or benzodiazepines. Tizanidine can also be psychologically addictive, which means the user may form an emotional or mental bond with the substance. In these scenarios, the individual could believe they must continue using the substance in order to feel normal or happy.

Tizanidine Side Effects

  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Weakness
  • Nervousness
  • Depression
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Tingling sensation in the arms, legs, hands, and feet
  • Stomach pain and discomfort
  • Constipation
  • Dry mouth
  • Diarrhea
  • Heartburn
  • Back pain
  • Rash
  • Sweating
  • Increased muscle spasms

Addiction Statistics


Almost 21 million Americans have at least 1 addiction, yet only 10% of them receive treatment.

Source: ADAA

 3X

Drug overdose deaths have more than tripled since 1990.

Source: ADAA

Alcohol and drug addiction cost the US economy over $600 billion every year.

Source: ADAA


Tizanidine Warnings: Tizanidine Addiction

It is crucial for the safety of anyone dealing with a meth addiction to be informed of the typical symptoms of crystal meth withdrawals in addition to the signs of meth addiction and the long-term ramifications of meth use.
Tizanidine Pain: Tizanidine can cause physical dependence despite not being as physically addictive as opioids or benzodiazepines.

Tizanidine can cause physical dependence despite not being as physically addictive as opioids or benzodiazepines.

Tizanidine can also be psychologically addictive, which means the user may form an emotional or mental bond with the substance. In these scenarios, the individual could believe they must continue using the substance in order to feel normal or happy.

Although overuse of zanaflex does not result in a substance use disorder, it might cause withdrawal symptoms when doses are lowered or stopped.

The body and brain experience withdrawals when a substance that has been used in a person’s system suddenly disappears from their system. Long-term tizanidine use can cause symptoms like high blood pressure, a rapid heartbeat, tremors, anxiety, agitation, and more when abruptly stopped.

Tizanidine Withdrawal

Without prescription pill detox, withdrawal symptoms from any prescription medication can be challenging to manage. If you’ve been taking a medicine for a long time and wish to stop, seek medical advice to do so safely and without any problems.

Although Zanaflex (tizanidine) is safe to take when taken as directed, abusing it might have harmful adverse effects. It’s crucial to keep an eye out for indications of abuse in anyone who may be taking this medicine, including yourself. The majority of persons who abuse tizanidine do so to get relief from their severe pain.

Abuse of tizanidine frequently manifests as:

  • Extreme sedation and drowsiness
  • Tiredness
  • Dry mouth
  • Sore throat
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness
  • Urinary tract infection (UTI)
  • Constipation
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Vision problems
  • Hallucinations
  • Delusions

Abuse of tizanidine can cause a variety of long-term side effects, including anxiety, blurred vision, erratic movements, persistent runny nose, and more. If prescription medication addiction treatment is not sought, mental impairment and other dangerous adverse effects may happen. Although this particular substance lacks the addictive properties of opioids or benzos, abusing any form of drugs can have long-lasting negative effects on the body and the mind.

Symptoms of Tizanidine Overdose (Overdose Of Tizanidine)

  • Blurred vision
  • Change in consciousness
  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Confusion
  • Decreased awareness or responsiveness
  • Difficult or troubled breathing
  • Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying position
  • Irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
  • Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
  • Severe sleepiness
  • Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
  • Slow or irregular heartbeat
  • Sweating
  • Unusual tiredness or weakness

Can You Die From Taking Too Much Tizanidine?

When A drug overdose may result in slow breathing, a slow heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, coma, or even death. One study that examined tizanidine overdose discovered that it may be successfully treated with medical assistance and that cases of overdose generated psychological and heart-related symptoms.

Tizanidine Dosage For Adults (Tizanidine Dosing): Tizanidine Dose For Sleep

The dosage of this medication will vary depending on the patient. Observe your doctor’s instructions or the label’s instructions. The following details only the typical dosages of this medication. Unless your doctor instructs you to, do not alter your dose if it differs from the recommended one.

The strength of the medication determines how much of it you should take. Also, the medical condition for which you are utilizing the medication affects the number of dosages you take each day, the interval between doses, and the duration of treatment.

  • For oral dosage forms (capsules or tablets): For muscle relaxation: Adults—At first, 2 milligrams (mg) every 6 to 8 hours. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. Do not take more than 36 mg within a 24-hour period.

Tizanidine Max Dose (Tizanidine Max Dosage): Tizanidine Maximum Dose

Maximum single dose: 16 mg
Maximum daily dose: 36 mg in 24 hours

Tizanidine Dosage To Get High: Tizanidine Medication

You may be curious as to how Tizanidine causes addiction. If you take more than 35 mg of tizanidine per 24 hours for longer than two weeks, you run the risk of becoming addicted to it. Tizanidine high doses vary from 20 mg to 36 mg per day.

It is advised not to discontinue taking Tizanidine in high doses for longer than nine weeks without seeking expert assistance because:

  • Rebound hypertension
  • Increased spasticity
  • Tachycardia

Tizanidine High Feeling: The number of people using tizanidine recreationally is growing daily, and most of them mix it with other drugs to get the same high. As the high normally lasts just a short while, a person may need to take more medication to maintain their high.

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Tizanidine Interactions (Tizanidine Drug Interactions): What Drugs Interact With Tizanidine?

What Can You Not Take With Tizanidine? What Medications Should Not Be Taken With Tizanidine?

Tizanidine Interactions With Alcohol (Tizanidine And Alcohol): Tizanidine Alcohol

Combining tizanidine and ethanol may make side effects such as tiredness, disorientation, and difficulties focusing worse. In certain persons, especially the elderly, thinking, judgment, and motor coordination may also be impaired. Alcohol use during therapy should be avoided or kept to a minimum.

Tizanidine And Gabapentin (Gabapentin And Tizanidine)

Tizanidine Zanaflex, a muscle relaxant, is especially beneficial for spinal and neurological system diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It is used to treat stiff, tight muscles (ALS). Some seizures and nerve pain can be treated with the drug gabapentin (Neurontin).

Can I Take Ibuprofen With Tizanidine? Tizanidine And Ibuprofen (Ibuprofen And Tizanidine)

Can I Take Tizanidine With Ibuprofen? There are no interactions between these two medications.

Tizanidine And Tramadol (Tramadol And Tizanidine)

How Long After Taking Tramadol Can I Take Tizanidine? When other drugs that similarly produce central nervous system depression are used with narcotic pain relievers or cough suppressants, it can have catastrophic side effects, including respiratory difficulty, unconsciousness, and even death. If you have any questions or concerns, consult your doctor.

Can You Take Tizanidine With Tylenol? Tizanidine And Tylenol

There are no interactions between these two medications.

Cipro And Tizanidine (Tizanidine And Ciprofloxacin)

Tizanidine’s hypotensive and sedative effects are significantly amplified by the antibiotic ciprofloxacin, mostly via suppressing its CYP1A2-mediated metabolism, at least when it is taken one hour before the drug.

Tizanidine Vs Cyclobenzaprine (Tizanidine Vs FlexerilFlexeril Versus Tizanidine): Cyclobenzaprine Vs TizanidineTizanidine Versus Cyclobenzaprine

Flexeril Vs Tizanidine (Cyclobenzaprine Versus Tizanidine): When used with cyclobenzaprine, tizanidine may intensify negative side effects such as tiredness, disorientation, and difficulty focusing. In certain persons, especially the elderly, thinking, judgment, and motor coordination may also be impaired.

Baclofen Vs Tizanidine (Tizanidine Vs Baclofen): Tizanidine Versus Baclofen

Baclofen Versus Tizanidine: Combining tizanidine and baclofen may make adverse effects like tiredness, disorientation, and difficulties focusing worse. In certain persons, especially the elderly, thinking, judgment, and motor coordination may also be impaired. Alcohol use during therapy should be avoided or kept to a minimum.

Methocarbamol Vs Tizanidine (Tizanidine Vs Methocarbamol): Robaxin Vs Tizanidine

Tizanidine Vs Robaxin: Muscle relaxants used in slightly different methods include Zanaflex (tizanidine hydrochloride) and Robaxin (methocarbamol). Robaxin is used to treat skeletal muscular disorders such as pain or damage together with rest and physical therapy.

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Treatment for Tizanidine Abuse

Most clients at our drug rehab begin with drug or alcohol detox because a medical professional should constantly closely monitor withdrawal symptoms. Because detox offers additional support, comfort, and safety throughout the withdrawal period, detox is a crucial stage in addiction recovery because it lowers the chance of relapse.

It’s recommended for those who have been reliant on or addicted to Zanaflex obtain assistance at a facility like ours because stopping the medicine on their own can be risky. To help patients recover from substance misuse from the inside out, we provide inpatient drug addiction therapy that combines both physical and psychological methods.

Because detox offers additional support, comfort, and safety throughout the withdrawal period, detox is a crucial stage in addiction recovery because it lowers the chance of relapse.
Because detox offers additional support, comfort, and safety throughout the withdrawal period, detox is a crucial stage in addiction recovery because it lowers the chance of relapse.

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The definition of dual diagnosis (also referred to as co-occurring disorders) can differ between institutions. However, it is generally described as the specific treatment of someone who has been diagnosed with a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder at the same time. Treating dual-diagnosis clients is a critical aspect of our inpatient treatment experience because co-occurring disorders are strongly correlated with instances of substance abuse.

Creating a treatment plan that addresses the physical aspects of withdrawal, the psychological connection with drug use, and managing underlying mental health disorders is part of setting clients up for success.  A thorough mental health analysis identifies possibilities for treatment.  Meeting with mental health counselors and medical care providers means access to behavioral therapy and medication treatment. At our dual diagnosis treatment center, We Level Up can implement the highest quality of care. 

We recognize the fragile complexities of how mental and substance abuse disorders can influence others and sometimes result in a vicious cycle of addiction.  That’s why we offer specialized treatment in dual-diagnosis cases to provide the most excellent chance of true healing and long-lasting recovery.

It can be challenging to accept that you may be living with a mental illness, but once it is properly diagnosed and treated, treating the presenting case of substance abuse can be magnitudes easier. Only a properly trained medical professional can diagnose these underlying conditions.  If you believe you are suffering from a disorder alongside addiction, we urge you to seek a qualified treatment center to begin your journey to recovery. Call We Level Up today.

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Is Tizanidine Addictive? FAQs

  1. How Strong Is Tizanidine 4mg? Is Tizanidine A Strong Muscle Relaxer?

    Tizanidine is a member of the group of medications known as central alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists. It is a muscle relaxant with a quick onset of action that doctors frequently recommend to treat muscle stiffness

  2. Is Tizanidine For Anxiety?

    Although Tizanidine has calming effects on the central nervous system, even though treating anxiety is not one of its main applications, the medication can still be helpful in controlling the condition. Using Tizanidine for anxiety can make you feel more at ease.

  3. How Much Tizanidine Should I Take For Sleep?

    Adults: To start, take 2 mg every 6 to 8 hours. If necessary, your doctor might change your dose. Taking more than 36 mg in a day is not advised.

  4. Is Tizanidine A Controlled Substance? Tizanidine Controlled Substance

    Tizanidine is not included on the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s list of prohibited substances (DEA).

  5. How Long Does Tizanidine Stay In Your System? How Long Does Tizanidine Last?

    The highest plasma concentrations of Zanaflex occur one hour following the administration of either a tablet or capsule. The Tizanidine Half Life is between two and two and a half hours. The amount taken is metabolized to almost 95%. With a half-life ranging from 20 to 40 hours, the metabolites of tizanidine are not known to be active.

  6. Is Tizanidine A Muscle Relaxer? Is Tizanidine A Benzodiazepine?

    Tizanidine (Zanaflex), a muscle relaxant, is especially beneficial for spinal and neurological system diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It is used to treat stiff, tight muscles (ALS).

  7. Can Tizanidine Get You High?

    The number of persons who take tizanidine recreationally is growing daily, and most do so in combination with other narcotics to experience the tizanidine high. A person may need to take more doses to stay high because the high normally lasts for a shorter period of time.

  8. How Long Does It Take For Tizanidine To Work?

    Tizanidine typically takes one to two hours to start working and lasts for six to eight hours before wearing off.

  9. What is Tizanidine Euphoria?

    Compared to depressants and other prescription medicines that are more frequently abused, it doesn’t readily produce euphoric feelings. Moreover, high doses are more likely to have undesirable side effects that can put off recreational users.

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