Tizanidine HCl Pellets (SR)

Tizanidine Hcl is used to relieve the spasms and increased muscle tone caused by multiple sclerosis (MS, a disease in which the nerves do not function properly and people may have weakness, numbness, decreased muscle coordination, and problems with vision, speech, and bladder control), stroke, or brain or spinal injury. Tizanidine is a type of medication called a skeletal muscle relaxant. It works by blocking action in the brain and nervous system to allow muscle relaxation.

How are Tizanidine HCl Pellets to be used?

• Tizanidine HCl Pellets comes in tablet and capsule form for oral use. It is usually taken regularly, either always with or always without food, two or three times a day. Follow closely the directions on your prescription label, and ask your doctor or pharmacist for an explanation of any part you do not understand. Take tizanidine exactly as directed. Do not take a higher or lower amount, nor take it more frequently than advised by your doctor.
• Tizanidine HCl Pellets can be opened and sprinkled on soft foods such as applesauce. Consult your doctor before opening the capsules, as the effects of the medication may differ when used this way compared to swallowing the capsule whole.
• The drug in the capsule is absorbed differently from the drug in the tablet, so one form cannot be substituted for the other. When you fill your prescription, check the tablets or capsules in the container to make sure that you have gotten the right product. If you think that you have gotten the wrong medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
• Your physician will probably start you at a low dose of tizanidine and increase your dose gradually based on your response to the drug.
• Do not stop taking tizanidine without talking to your physician. If you suddenly stop taking tizanidine, you may have an increased heart rate, blood pressure, or stiffness. Your physician will probably taper you off the drug slowly.

What are the side effects of this medication?

Tizanidine can cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or continue:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Weakness
• Nervousness
• Depression
• Vomiting
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain
• Heartburn
• Muscle spasms increased
• Back pain
• Rash
• Sweating

What Special Precautions Should I Take?

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to tizanidine or any other medicines.
• Inform your doctor if you are on ciprofloxacin (Cipro) or fluvoxamine. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take tizanidine if you are on either drug.
• Reveal to your physician and pharmacist any other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while you are on tizanidine. Your physician may have to change the dosages of your medications or watch you closely for side effects.
• The following over-the-counter medications might interact with tizanidine: cimetidine (Tagamet); famotidine (Pepcid, Pepcid AC). Let your doctor and pharmacist know you are taking these drugs before you start taking tizanidine. 
• Do not start any of these drugs during tizanidine treatment without talking to your healthcare provider.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have had kidney or liver disease.
• Inform your physician if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are nursing. If you find that you are pregnant while taking tizanidine, consult your physician.
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the surgeon or dentist that you are taking tizanidine.
• You should be careful because this drug may cause drowsiness. Do not drive a car or use machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
• Remember that alcohol can increase the drowsiness caused by this drug.
• You should be advised that tizanidine can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting if you get up too quickly from a lying position. This is most likely when you are initially using tizanidine. 
• To avoid this problem, stand up slowly from the bed, letting your feet hang over the floor for a few seconds before standing. 
• Tizanidine Pellet may decrease muscle tone, so be careful when walking or performing other activities that depend on your muscle tone for posture or balance.