Comparative efficacy and safety of skeletal muscle relaxants for spasticity and musculoskeletal conditions: a systematic review

Comparative efficacy and safety of skeletal muscle relaxants for spasticity and musculoskeletal conditions: a systematic review

For example, Zanaflex (tizanidine) is used to treat muscle spasticity linked to MS and spinal cord injuries while cyclobenzaprine is used to treat skeletal muscle pain and spasms. Cyclobenzaprine is available in extended-release formulations while tizanidine is not. Zanaflex is a relatively new medicine that has been licensed by the FDA to treat muscle spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury. Flexeril is an older medication that has been examined extensively for musculoskeletal pain and spasms. The better medicine is the one that is most effective for your condition. Consult a doctor for assistance in determining the best course of action for you (Dickerson, L.M., 2010).

  • Cyclobenzaprine and Tizanidine are both effective and safe options for treating muscle spasms and pain.
  • If your doctor has presented these options to you, you may be considering which one is right for you and wondering how they compare.
  • Tizanidine (the generic name for Zanaflex) is a short-acting muscle relaxer, first approved by the FDA in 1996.
  • It’s used primarily for managing spasticity caused by conditions like multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury.
  • Additionally, the symptoms below are reasons to call your doctor right away.
  • It’s important for patients starting either medication to monitor their response closely and seek medical help if they experience severe side effects such as hallucinations or irregular heartbeat.

Zanaflex’s half-life is roughly 2.5 hours, while Flexeril’s half-life is 18 hours. It is intended for general informational purposes and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your physician or dial 911. Both Zanaflex and Flexeril can interact with drugs that have CNS depressant effects. These types of drugs include barbiturates, opioids, and benzodiazepines.

If you need medication to reduce muscle spasms, there are many options on the market. Your doctor will help you decide the best option for you based on your medical history, types of spasms, allergies, current medications, etc. These medications are all used for different purposes and help with muscle spasms in different ways.

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When you feel ready or just want someone to speak to about therapy alternatives to change your life call us. Even if we cannot assist you, we will lead you to wherever you can get support. Both Cyclobenzaprine and Tizanidine can interfere with other drugs you may be taking, especially those flexeril.live that affect the central nervous system, including barbiturates and opioids. Like Tizanidine, Methocarbamol, a generic name for Robaxin, has sedative effects and can be used to treat sleep difficulties. Methocarbamol and Tizanidine share specific side effects like constipation and dizziness.

The facility recognizes the intricate connection between addiction and mental well-being. Combining evidence-based therapies, expert medical care and a holistic approach offers a comprehensive and effective path to recovery. JAMA Network Open found that the misuse of muscle relaxants, including cyclobenzaprine, increased significantly during this period.

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Individuals need to follow their healthcare provider’s instructions, use the medication as prescribed, and communicate any concerns or changes in symptoms promptly. Consulting a healthcare professional is crucial for proper guidance and monitoring when using Flexeril to minimize the risk of addiction. Skeletal muscle relaxants are often prescribed for musculoskeletal conditions including low back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, tension headaches, and myofascial pain syndrome.

Muscle Pain (Myofascial Pain Syndrome)

However, these medications aren’t the first-line therapy for the treatment of pain or spasms. They’re alternative therapy after first- or second-line therapies haven’t worked. This is due to the adverse side effects of antispasmodics, including addiction potential for some types of the medication. Tizanidine acts directly on motor neurons in the spinal cord, leading to a more potent reduction in muscle tone and spasticity. Conversely, Cyclobenzaprine primarily works as a central nervous system depressant, targeting the brain and spinal cord to alleviate muscle spasms. It relieves spasms, cramping, and tightness of the muscles caused by medical problems, such as multiple sclerosis or certain injuries to the spine.

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Most doctors will wean you off Tizanidine instead of having you quit cold turkey. They can include dizziness, anxiety, blood pressure changes, muscle stiffening, heart rate changes, and more. By weaning off the medication, you may not experience any of these symptoms. In extreme cases, with some of the worst side effects, doctors may need to give you something to help you come off the medicine. The greatest appeal to many people who need help with muscle spasms is that Tizanidine is not a narcotic.

Zanaflex Vs Flexeril: Who Is More Effective?

It is a muscle relaxant indicated for acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions such as neck or back pain. It works in the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve muscle pain and spasms. Cyclobenzaprine is available in immediate-release and extended-release forms.

It was initially approved in 1996 for the treatment of muscle spasticity. Although its exact mechanism of action is unknown, it is believed to manage muscle spasticity through the inhibition of motor nerve signals. The other prescription muscle relaxants aren’t controlled substances. Healthcare providers mainly prescribe antispastic muscle relaxers to treat spasticity. The suggested cyclobenzaprine dose is 5 or 10 mg three times per day in immediate release pills or 15 or 30 mg once per day in extended-release tablets (Zegarra, M., 2010). You should never take both medications together as you significantly increase the severity of side effects, including the risk of experiencing a muscle relaxer overdose.

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