Zanaflex is a short-acting medication that should be taken only for daily activities that require relief from muscle spasticity.

You should not take tizanidine if you are also taking fluvoxamine (Luvox) or ciprofloxacin (Cipro).

Do not use Zanaflex at a time when you need muscle tone for safe balance and movement during certain activities. In some situations, it may endanger your physical safety to be in a state of reduced muscle tone.

Switching between Zanaflex tablets and capsules, or changing the way you take it with regard to eating, can cause an increase in side effects or a decrease in therapeutic effect. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. After making any changes in how you take Zanaflex, contact your doctor if you notice any change in how well the medicine works or if it causes increased side effects.

Do not take more than three doses (36 mg) of tizanidine in a 24-hour period. Too much of tizanidine can damage your liver. Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, other muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by tizanidine. Tell your doctor if you need to use any of these other medicines together with Zanaflex.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of tizanidine.

You should not use Zanaflex if you are allergic to tizanidine, or if:

• you also take the antidepressant fluvoxamine (Luvox); or

• you also take the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (Cipro).

To make sure Zanaflex is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease;

• kidney disease; or

• low blood pressure; or

• high blood pressure.

It is not known whether Zanaflex will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether tizanidine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Zanaflex: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• weak or shallow breathing;

• confusion, hallucinations; or

• yellowing of the eyes or skin.

• pain or burning when you urinate.

Common Zanaflex side effects may include:

• drowsiness, dizziness, weakness;

• dry mouth;

• feeling nervous;

• blurred vision;

• flu-like symptoms;

• abnormal liver function tests;

• runny nose, sore throat;

• urination problems;

• vomiting, constipation; or

• uncontrolled muscle movements.