tizanidine in the treatment of spasticity
Last reviewed 01/2018
- related to clonidine
- it is thought to work via the stimulation of pre-synaptic alpha-2 adrenoreceptors,
and the enhancement of noradrenergic inhibition of polysynaptic reflexes
- there is evidence that tizanidine reduces the frequency of muscle spasms
and reduces spastic muscle tone - however there was no diminition in muscle
strength (1)
- the most common side effects of tizanidine are dry mouth, drowsiness and subjective muscle weakness - however muscle weakness (objective and subjective) is less common than with treatment with diazepam or baclofen
Reference:
- 1) Wallace JD (1994). Summary of combined analysis of controlled clinical trials with tizanidine. Neurology 44 (Suppl 9), s60-9.