Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits, especially during the first few weeks of treatment with ZANAFLEX. During this time the amount of medicine you are taking may have to be changed often to meet your individual needs.

Do not suddenly stop taking ZANAFLEX. Unwanted effects may occur if the medicine is stopped suddenly. Check with your doctor for the best way to reduce gradually the amount you are taking before stopping completely.

ZANAFLEX will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; prescription pain medicine or narcotics; barbiturates; medicine for seizures; other muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are using tizanidine.

ZANAFLEX may cause dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, clumsiness or unsteadiness, or vision problems in some people. Make sure you know how you react to ZANAFLEX before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert, well-coordinated, and able to see well.

Tizanidine may cause dryness of the mouth. For temporary relief, use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. However, if dry mouth continues for more than 2 weeks, check with your medical doctor or dentist. Continuing dryness of the mouth may increase the chance of dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease, and fungus infections.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help lessen this problem.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• More common
  • Fever;  loss of appetite;  nausea and/or vomiting;  nervousness ;  pain or burning while urinating;  sores on the skin;  tingling, burning, or prickling sensations;  yellow eyes or skin 
  
  

• Less common
  • Black, tarry stools;  bloody vomit;  blurred vision;  chills or sore throat ;  coldness;  convulsions (seizures);  cough;  dry, puffy skin;  eye pain;  fainting ;  irregular heartbeat;  kidney stones;  seeing things that are not there;  unusual tiredness or weakness;  weight gain 
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

• More common
  • Anxiety;  back pain;  constipation;  depression;  diarrhea;  difficulty in speaking;  dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when getting up from a lying or sitting position;  drowsiness;  dry mouth;  heartburn;  increased sweating;  increased muscle spasms or tone;  muscle weakness;  pain or burning in throat;  runny nose;  skin rash;  sleepiness;  stomach pain;  uncontrolled movements of the body 
  
  

• Less common
  • Difficulty swallowing;  dry skin;  joint or muscle pain or stiffness;  loss of hair;  migraine headache;  mood changes;  neck pain;  swelling of feet or lower legs;  swollen area that feels warm and tender;  trembling or shaking;  unusual feeling of well-being;  weight loss 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.