1.ZANAFLEX HISTORY
How was Zanaflex discovered?

Zanaflex (Tizanidine) is a skeletal muscle relaxant. The FDA approved Zanaflex in December 1996.

Zanaflex is a centrally acting alpha-2 adrenergic agonist.

Tizanidine is a white to off-white, fine crystalline powder, odorless or with a faint characteristic odor. Tizanidine is slightly soluble in water and methanol; solubility in water decreases as the pH increases.

Note: World-drugs.net sells generic version of Zanaflex

2.ZANAFLEX FACTS

The brand Zanaflex is a product of Elan Pharma Ltd.

Elan Pharma Ltd is a neuroscience based biotechnology company that is focused on discovering, developing, manufacturing and marketing advanced therapies in neurology, autoimmune diseases and, and severe pain.

3.ABOUT ZANAFLEX MEDICATION

Zanaflex has both a muscle relaxant action and an analgesic action.

Zanaflex produces muscle relaxation by affecting the central nervous system.

1) Rheumatoid arthritis: Osteoarthritis; Cervical spondylosis; Ankylosing spondylitis; Acute gout

Arthritis or chronic joint symptoms affect approximately 70 million adults, or roughly 1 in 3 Americans.

2) Lumbago; Sciatica; Prolapsed interverterbral disc; sprains, Bursitis; Torticollis; Fibrositis; Fibromyositis; Tenosynovitis.

3) Tension headaches; Trismus in dental conditions and after oral surgery; Muscle spasm after and surgery (e.g. for piles); and Dysmenorrhoea.

The possible causes of musculo-skeletal disorders could be

It is possible that Zanaflex induced muscle relaxation results from a slight depression of all neurons at synaptic junctions within the central nervous system. It is noteworthy that Zanaflex has a marked depressant effect on hyperactive spinal reflexes in doses that do not affect normal reflexes.

The analgesic action of Zanaflex may be due to its effect on

• peripheral pain receptors, or
• the sensory pain pathways and their synapses, or
• the centers concerned with pain receptors or sensory pain pathways and that Zanaflex probably acts upon centers concerned with pain perception.

Zanaflex for Sprains

Sprains and strains often result from excessive physical demands on the back. Lifting something too heavy, a sudden fall, car crash, or sports injury can cause soft tissues (ligaments, muscles, tendons) to stretch too much.

Sprains · Strains
The spine includes vertebrae (bones), discs (cartilaginous pads or shock absorbers), the spinal cord and nerve roots (neurological wiring system), and blood vessels (nourishment). Ligaments link bones together, and tendons connect muscles to bones and discs. The ligaments, muscles, and tendons work together to handle the external forces the spine encounters during movement, such as bending forward and lifting.

Sprains and strains are similar disorders affecting different soft tissues in the spine. Sprains are limited to ligaments whereas strains affect muscles, tendons, or muscle-tendon combinations.

Ligaments are strong flexible bands of fibrous tissue. Although ligaments are resistant to being stretched, they do allow some freedom of movement. Muscle is made up of individual and segmental strands of tissue. When back muscles encounter excessive external force, individual strands can stretch or tear while the rest of the muscle is spared injury.

To illustrate a sprain or strain, consider what happens when lifting something heavy. Initially muscles are recruited to manage the load. When the load or force exceeds the muscles ability to cope, the force is shared with the ligaments. When a ligament is stressed beyond its strength, it can tear.

Local tissues swell when ligaments, muscles, tendons, or combinations become overstretched, overused, or torn. Swelling causes pain, tenderness, and stiffness; swelling serves to protect the injured back by restricting movement - similar to a splint on a broken leg.

Zanaflex does not heal the injuries, but they do help ease the discomfort and stop muscle spasms. Zanaflex does not act directly on the muscles; rather they act centrally (in the brain) and are more of a total body relaxant.

4.ZANAFLEX EFFECTIVENESS
When is Zanaflex best taken?

Zanaflex is supplied as 2 and 4 mg tablets for oral administration.

Zanaflex tablets are composed of the active ingredient, tizanidine hydrochloride (2.288 mg equivalent to 2 mg tizanidine base and 4.576 mg equivalent to 4 mg tizanidine base), and the inactive ingredients, silicon dioxide colloidal, stearic acid, microcrystalline cellulose and anhydrous lactose.

The usual adult dose of Zanaflex is one 2 mg tablet, three times daily and at bedtime. The dose of Zanaflex may be increased to 4 mg as prescribed by your physician. Usage in patients under age 12 is not recommended.

Zanaflex is metabolized in the liver and is excreted by the kidneys.

5.ZANAFLEX EFFECTS ON SPECIAL POPULATION
How do different people react to Zanaflex?

Usage in Pregnancy and Lactation - Safe Usage of Zanaflex in pregnancy and Lactation has not been established. Therefore, use of Zanaflex in pregnancy, in nursing mothers, or in women of childbearing potential requires that the potential benefits of Zanaflex be weighed against the potential hazards to mother and child. Zanaflex is present in breast milk of lactating mothers at concentrations two to four times that of maternal plasma. This factor should be taken into account when use of Zanaflex is contemplated in breast-feeding patients.

Usage in Children - Because of limited clinical experience, Zanaflex is not recommended for use in patients under 12 years of age.

Idiosyncratic Reactions - On very rare occasions, the first dose of Zanaflex has been followed by idiosyncratic symptoms appearing within minutes or hours.

Symptoms reported include:

• extreme weakness,
• transient quadriplegia,
• dizziness,
• ataxia,
• temporary loss of vision,
• agitation,
• euphoria,
• confusion, and
• disorientation.

Symptoms usually subside over the course of the next several hours. Supportive and symptomatic therapy, including hospitalization, may be necessary.

7.OTHER/ALTERNATE USES OF ZANAFLEX
What else does Zanaflex treat?

Zanaflex is used to treat increased muscle tone associated with spasticity and also as an analgesic.

8.ADVERSE/SIDE EFFECTS of ZANAFLEX
What are the side effects of Zanaflex?

Zanaflex exhibits adverse reactions in the following conditions

BODY AS A WHOLE:

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM:

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM:

HEMIC AND LYMPHATIC SYSTEM:

METABOLIC AND NUTRITIONAL SYSTEM:

MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM:

NERVOUS SYSTEM:

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM:

SKIN AND APPENDAGES:

SPECIAL SENSES:

UROGENITAL SYSTEM: