Zanaflex is a type of muscle relaxer, a class of drugs that are typically used to treat acute muscle problems. However, doctors also prescribe muscle relaxers, including Zanaflex, to people who have chronic pain or muscular conditions. Zanaflex is often prescribed to treat muscle spasms, cramps and tightness associated with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury and it may be used for treating various chronic pain conditions. Whether it is used for acute or chronic conditions, Zanaflex can affect your heart rate.
How it Works
Zanaflex blocks nerve impulses and pain sensations sent through your spinal cord to your brain. It is short lasting, working for only a few hours, and so should be used to manage muscle spasticity while you are doing specific daily activities that spasticity would disrupt. Zanaflex does not directly affect muscles, like some relaxers do. It is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, a type of drug that inhibits muscles by stimulating motor neurons in the spinal cord called alpha-2 receptors. In simpler terms, Zanaflex turns on neurons in your spinal cord that turn off your muscles.
Side Effects
Though Zanaflex is generally well tolerated, some people may exhibit side effects when taking it. Side effects can include drowsiness, feeling light-headed, dry mouth, weakness, tiredness, fatigue, anxiety or nervousness, muscular weakness, numbness or tingling, stomach pain, diarrhea, sweating or skin rash. Call your physician immediately if you: faint or feel light-headed, have a slowing of your heart rate, hallucinate, feel confused, have unusual thoughts, lose your appetite, get yellowing of your skin or eyes or feel a burning sensation when you urinate.
Effects on Heart Rate
Zanaflex reduces spasticity by inhibiting muscular activity. Many of the side effects, such as muscular weakness, numbness, gastrointestinal problems, feeling light-headed, fatigue and lowered heart rate, are consequences of the intended effect, which is to decrease muscular activity.
Precautions
Other medications that also have sedating effects can add to the sedating effect of Zanaflex. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking cold or allergy medication, sleeping pills, narcotic pain medication, seizure medication, antidepressants or anti-anxiety medicine or other muscle relaxers. Alcohol can increase some side effects of Zanaflex.
Medical Monitoring and Withdrawal
Before you start taking Zanaflex, tell your doctor if you have liver, heart or kidney disease. Your doctor will need to monitor your heart and liver function while you take Zanaflex. Some side effects you may experience can improve as your body adjusts to Zanaflex. On the other hand, do not suddenly stop taking Zanaflex without first consulting with your physician. If you use Zanaflex for a long time and then stop taking it, you may experience withdrawal effects associated with heightened heart rate, including dizziness, tremors, anxiety, fast heart rate and increased spasticity.
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