Drug Uses

Zanaflex a muscle relaxant is used to help relax certain muscles in your body. It relieves the spasms and increased muscle tone caused by medical problems such as multiple sclerosis or spinal injury. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. 

How Taken

Zanaflex comes as a tablet to take it orally. It usually is taken two or three times a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Zanaflex exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Warnings/Precautions

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, have kidney disease, have low blood pressure or you are on medication to treat high blood pressure; or you are taking birth control pills. You may not be able to take Zanaflex, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Zanaflex is in the FDA pregnancy C. This means that it is not known whether Zanaflex will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether Zanaflex passes into breast milk. Do not take Zanaflex without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Missed Dose

If you take several doses per day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if you remember a missed dose when it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Possible Side Effects

Side effects from Zanaflex can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: dizziness, upset stomach, vomiting, tingling sensation in the arms, legs, hands, and feet, dry mouth, increased muscle spasms. If you experience either of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: yellowing of the skin or eyes, unexplained flu-like symptoms.

Storage

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of a Zanaflex overdose are not well known but include unconsciousness and irregular breathing.

More Information

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Zanaflex may cause drowsiness and dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities. Dizziness is most likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall. Use caution with alcohol, other muscle relaxants, sleep or anxiety medicines, and pain medicines. These drugs may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking Zanaflex. Do not take any other medicine during treatment with Zanaflex without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

Disclaimer

This drug information is for your information purposes only, it is not intended that this information covers all uses, directions, drug interactions, precautions, or adverse effects of your medication. This is only general information, and should not be relied on for any purpose. It should not be construed as containing specific instructions for any particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information, and/or any consequences arising from the use of this information, including damage or adverse consequences to persons or property, however such damages or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is made in regards to this information.