Patient/caregiver was instructed upon therapeutic uses of Tizanidine as follows:

  • Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter synthesized in human body. Upon release, norepinephrine can improve the conduction of nerve impulses to the skeletal muscles and thus increase the force of skeletal muscle contraction.
  • Tizanidine is a medication that works by reducing the release of norepinephrine. Inhibition of norepinephrine release by tizanidine leads to inhibition of conduction of nerve impulses from the spinal cord to the muscles.
  • Conduction of nerve impulse to the muscle results in muscle contraction. Inhibition of nerve impulse conduction from the spinal cord to the muscle with tizanidine leads to muscle relaxation.

Tizanidine can be used in clinical conditions for control of pain and relief of muscle spasticity and tightness as follows:

 

Cerebral palsy

  • Cerebral palsy is a congenital disorder of movement and muscle tone, secondary to abnormal brain development in utero.
  • Individuals with cerebral palsy can present with abnormal muscle tone and spasticity. Muscle spasticity can lead to contractures, rigidity, stiffness, and limited range of motion contributing to significant pain, and discomfort.
  • Tizanidine intake in these individuals can help relieve the spasticity and tightness, relax the muscle, and contribute to relief of pain and stiffness.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

  • Motor nerves originate in the brain and travelling through the spinal cord, reach the various muscles throughout the body, thus conducting the impulse to the muscles.
  • ALS is a condition in which there is progressive degeneration of the motor nerves controlling the activity of the various muscles.
  • Progressive degeneration of the motor nerves contributes to altered and compromised impulse conduction.
  • Depending on the site of injury and the nerves involves, this change in nerve impulse conduction can result in spasticity or severe tightening of muscles, flaccid weak muscles, and muscle spasms contributing to the pain & discomfort. This can severely compromise the muscle function.
  • Tizanidine by controlling and relieving the spasticity and tightness, relaxes the muscle, and contribute to relief of pain and stiffness.