Muscle Relaxant - Relentus (Brand name: tizanidine)

INDICATIONS

Tizanidine is a short-acting muscle relaxer. It works by blocking nerve impulses (pain sensations) that are sent to your brain.
Tizanidine is used to treat spasticity by temporarily relaxing muscle tone.
It may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

INSTRUCTIONS  

Take Relentus exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from tizanidine.
Take this medication with a full glass of water.

Tizanidine is a short-acting medication, and its effects will be most noticeable between 1 and 6 hours after you take it. This medication should be taken only for daily activities that require relief from muscle spasticity.

In most cases, you may take up to three doses in one day if needed. Allow 6 to 8 hours to pass between doses.
Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about taking this medication with or without food. Taking Relentus tablets with food can increase the levels of Relentus in your blood stream, but taking Relentus capsules with food can decrease the levels.

Switching between Relentus tablets and capsules, or changing the way you take it with regard to eating, can cause an increase in side effects or a decrease in therapeutic effect. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. After making any changes in how you take tizanidine, contact your doctor if you notice any change in how well the medicine works or if it causes increased side effects.
Do not take more than three doses (36 mg) in a 24-hour period. Too much of this medication can damage your liver.

To be sure Relentus is not causing harmful effects, your liver function will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

You may have withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, fast heart rate, tremors, anxiety, and increased spasticity when you stop using Relentus after using it over a long period of time. Do not stop using this medication suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

STORAGE 

Store Relentus at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

MORE INFO:

Active Ingredient: Tizanidine

SAFETY INFORMATION

Do NOT use Tizanidine if:

you are allergic to any ingredient in Tizanidine

you are taking ciprofloxacin or fluvoxamine

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Tizanidine:
Some medical conditions may interact with Tizanidine . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

if you have liver or kidney problems or prostate problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Tizanidine . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Acyclovir, antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, mexiletine, propafenone), cimetidine, famotidine, fluvoxamine, hormonal contraceptives (eg, birth control pills), quinolone antibiotics (eg, ciprofloxacin), ticlopidine, verapamil, or zileuton because they may increase the risk of Tizanidine 's side effects.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Tizanidine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Important safety information: 

Tizanidine is a short-acting medication that should be taken only for daily activities that require relief from muscle spasticity.
Do not take Relentus if you are also taking the antidepressant fluvoxamine (Luvox), or the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (Cipro). Do not use Relentus at a time when muscle tone is needed to assure safe balance and movement for certain activities. In some situations, it may endanger your physical safety to be in a state of reduced muscle tone.

Switching between Relentus tablets and capsules, or changing the way you take it with regard to eating, can cause an increase in side effects or a decrease in therapeutic effect. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. After making any changes in how you take tizanidine, contact your doctor if you notice any change in how well the medicine works or if it causes increased side effects.

SIDE EFFECTS

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:


feeling light-headed, fainting, slow heart rate;

hallucinations, confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior;

nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

burning or pain when you urinate.

Less serious Relentus side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:


drowsiness or dizziness;

feeling anxious or nervous;

numbness or tingling;

stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting;

fever;

dry mouth;

muscle weakness, back pain;

increased muscle tone or spasms; or

sweating or skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.