Overview
It's also used off-label for muscle spasms and tension headaches. It works for a few hours per dose.
What it's used for
- Muscle spasticity from MS, spinal cord injury, or stroke
- Off-label: muscle spasms
How to take it
- Take it the same way each time, always with food or always without; food changes how much you absorb.
- Don't stop suddenly after regular use; blood pressure and heart rate can rebound.
Your dose depends on your health and other medicines. Always follow your prescription label, and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
Side effects
Common side effects
- Sleepiness
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Weakness
Warnings
- It can drop blood pressure. Stand up slowly.
- Liver tests may be checked.
Other medicines, foods, and alcohol
- Never take with ciprofloxacin or fluvoxamine; they raise tizanidine to dangerous levels.
- Some birth control pills and other medicines raise its level.
- Alcohol, opioids, and sedating medicines add to drowsiness.
- Blood pressure medicines add to dizziness.
Tell your provider and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin, and supplement you take.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Talk with your provider.
Missed doses, overdose, and storage
If you miss a dose
Take it as soon as you remember, unless it's almost time for your next dose. Then skip the missed dose. Don't take two doses at once.
If someone takes too much
Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or get help online at poison.org. Call 911 if the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be woken.
Storing it
Store at room temperature, away from heat and moisture (not in the bathroom), and out of reach of children and pets.
Conditions it's used for
Sources
- DailyMed: FDA drug label for Tizanidine (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
- MedlinePlus: Drugs, herbs, and supplements
- FDA: Drugs@FDA
Last updated 2026-11-13.