Tizanidine Addiction and Abuse

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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.

Call Us: 954-688-5806

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.

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

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.

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