Muscle Relaxant
Last reviewed June 2026
Who is this for?
Tizanidine is a muscle relaxant that works by calming the nerves in your spinal cord to reduce muscle tightness and spasms, helping your muscles feel less stiff and painful.
Activates alpha-2 adrenergic receptors in the spinal cord and brainstem, enhancing inhibitory neurotransmission and reducing motor neuron excitability to decrease muscle tone and spasticity.
Prescription Required
You need a doctor's prescription to buy this drug.
Explore this drug
Adults usually start with 2 mg taken by mouth, up to three times a day. Your doctor may gradually increase it to 4 mg three times a day depending on how your body responds. Do not take more than 36 mg in a day. You can take it with or without food, but be consistent — taking it with food increases how much your body absorbs, so always take it the same way.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your normal schedule. Do not take two doses at once to make up for it.
This drug can make you very drowsy — do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything that requires alertness after taking it. Do not stop taking tizanidine suddenly after using it for a long time, as this can cause a dangerous spike in blood pressure and increased heart rate — your doctor should reduce your dose gradually. Only buy from reputable pharmacies, not roadside sellers, and do not share this medication with others even if they have similar symptoms.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking tizanidine as it increases drowsiness and dizziness dangerously. Do not take it with ciprofloxacin (a common antibiotic in Nigeria for typhoid and infections) as it can cause a dangerous build-up of tizanidine in your body. Blood pressure drugs taken together with tizanidine can make your blood pressure drop too low.
Check your specific combination
Is it safe to take Tizanidine with your other drugs?
Tizanidine is not considered safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding — consult your doctor before taking it if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing a baby.
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat — this is especially important in hot Nigerian weather. Keep the tablets in their original container and always store out of reach of children.
For information only — not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before changing your medication.
Names this drug is sold under — especially in Nigerian and West African pharmacies
Tap a brand for packaging, NAFDAC details and authenticity check
Counterfeit Drug Warning
Fake drugs are a serious problem in Nigeria. Always buy from a registered pharmacy. If the packaging looks different from what is described above, do not use it.
Dispensing Tizanidine?
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