Tizanidine Addiction and Abuse
Tizanidine Addiction and Abuse
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Tizanidine Addiction Treatment at Laguna Shores Recovery
At Laguna Shores Recovery, we offer Tizanidine treatment to help those who struggle with addiction to the muscle relaxant(s). Our Orange County medical detox and rehab center is designed to ease the discomfort and pain caused by withdrawal symptoms. Your health and progress will be monitored by our expert medical staff 24 hours a day. We will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan that is outlined to meet your specific needs.
What is Tizanidine?
Tizanidine is a muscle relaxer that works by blocking pain signals from the nervous system that are sent to the brain. It is also used to treat constantly contracting muscles or muscle spasms by relaxing muscle tone. It is a short-acting drug, so up to 3 doses a day may be prescribed. It is currently sold under the brand name Zanaflex.
In 1996, the drug was approved for use in the United States. More than 6.4 million Tizanidine prescriptions were filled in 2016.
Is It Addictive?
There are addictive properties in Tizanidine, which could lead to potential abuse or dependence. This drug is closely related to clonidine, which is frequently abused with narcotics.
Tizanidine can lead to rebound symptoms if use suddenly stops. A research study found three cases of withdrawal symptoms once the participants were abruptly cut off. The study suggested that the participants were also misusing narcotics.
High blood pressure
Elevated heart rate
Stiff muscles that are hard to move
Tremor
Anxiety
Withdrawal symptoms were found to occur more in people who were using high doses, especially for long periods. As well as if they used narcotics at the same time.
Tizanidine is in the drug class of alpha-2-adrenergic agonists. These drugs work to reduce nerve activity in the area of the spinal cord that controls muscles. This helps decrease muscle spasms and ease pain without using a narcotic.
Is Tizanidine Safe?
This medication is safe to use as long as it is taken at prescribed levels.
Research shows that:
Tolerability is the level to which negative effects can be tolerated by the person.
In rare cases, it was reported to have caused acute liver injury, and some cases were fatal. It’s recommended that people who take the medication have blood tests often to check liver function.
Certain drugs can increase the likelihood of side effects, and these include (but are not limited to):
Some antibiotics
Heart rhythm drugs
Oral contraceptives
Benzodiazepines such as valium
Opioid drugs such as methadone, morphine, or oxycodone
Stomach acid medicines
Blood pressure drugs
Some antidepressant medications
Always talk to your doctor about all the medications you are taking before you begin taking anything new. This includes over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
How is It Used and Misused?
Tizanidine is primarily used to treat people with:5
Multiple sclerosis
Spinal cord injury
Muscle spasms
Unusual muscle stiffness
Cluster headaches
The medication doesn’t cure these issues but helps people handle other treatments such as physical therapy. This can help improve the condition for which they are being treated. It is a short-acting drug, and its effects are strongest between 1 and 3 hours after it is taken. Therefore, most people take it right before daily activities only when they need to reduce symptoms such as muscle spasms.
Some people who have insomnia will abuse Tizanidine. That’s because a common side effect of the drug is sleepiness. Also, people battling chronic pain may misuse the drug.
Can You Overdose on Tizanidine?
Yes, it is possible to experience an overdose. Seek emergency medical help right away if any of the following symptoms happen:
Blurry vision
Chest pain
Unresponsiveness
Dizziness
Feeling lightheaded when getting up from lying down
Slow and shallow breathing
Blue lips, fingernails, or skin
Slow or irregular heartbeat
Extreme tiredness
Loss of consciousness
Confusion
Difficulty breathing
Fainting
Irregular or rapid breathing
Paleness
Extreme sleepiness
Sweating
Unusual weakness
Tizanidine Effects
Short-term Effects
Drinking alcohol is associated with an increase in the side effects of Tizanidine.
Common side effects include:
Drowsiness
Weakness
Chest pain or discomfort
Stomach pain
Blurry vision
Dry mouth
Runny nose
Vomiting
Numbness
Uncontrolled muscle movements
Dizziness
Fever
Back pain
Nervousness
Flu-like symptoms
Speech troubles
Sore throat
Constipation
Tingling
Long-term Effects
The long-term effects include:
Abnormal liver function tests
Weight gain
Uriniation problems
Hallucinations
Cautions and Drug Interactions
Tizanidine should be used with caution with medications like:
diazepam (Valium)
oxycodone (Roxicodone)
amitriptyline (Elavil)
nortriptyline (Pamelor)
zolpidem (Ambien)
Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding while using the drug.
Stopping Use of Tizanidine
What is Withdrawal Like?
Withdrawal signs can appear when the drug is suddenly stopped. Just like with any substance that works on the central nervous system. Anytime you wish to stop taking the drug, first talk with your doctor about a tapering down schedule.
Although Tizanidine withdrawal syndrome is a potential long-term side effect of stopping the medication, it is not common. Rare withdrawal symptoms can include:
Nausea
Vomiting
Tremor
Depression
Hypertension
Increased heart rate
Treatment for Misuse
Tizanidine abuse needs formal treatment to avoid any withdrawal symptoms. First, talk with your prescribing doctor or a treatment center about the best option for your situation.
You may need to undergo a medically supervised detox. The detox need will depend on the length and severity of the misuse. It will also depend on other medical conditions that may be present.
Do not try to stop taking the drug on your own. Doing so suddenly can be dangerous for you both physically and mentally. It can also lead to serious withdrawal effects.
Professional treatment paired with psychotherapy for drug addiction can help you get the help you need to get on the track to recovery. Discuss your situation when you speak to healthcare professionals; they are there to help. Contact Laguna Shores Recovery for more information.
