Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using Zanaflex as follows:
- Zanaflex could interact with a number of other medications and can precipitate serious reactions. If you are being newly started on zanaflex, discuss with your physician regarding all other medications you are currently taking and their safety with zanaflex. Also, if you have been taking zanaflex for long, discuss with your physician regarding your history of zanaflex intake, when you are being started on any new medication.
- Zanaflex use, especially in individuals with history of mood disorders, can occasionally result in exacerbation of mania and depressive symptoms, changes in behavior, hallucinations, and compromised sexual drive. Zanaflex could either be avoided for an alternative or used with extra caution in individuals with such history, to prevent exacerbation of mood disorders.
- Zanaflex could be avoided for a safer alternative or used with extreme caution in individuals with history of severe head injury and brain damage. Individuals with history of head injury and brain damage can be at high risk to present with severe depression of brain and associated respiratory and cardiovascular centers with zanaflex, leading to complications such as, coma, respiratory arrest, dangerous hypotension, and bradycardia, which can be fatal.
- It is not clear if zanaflex could cross the placenta in pregnant women. It is also unclear if zanaflex could pass through the breast milk into a nursing baby, thereby harming the baby. Women in the child-bearing age group taking zanaflex regularly must seek her physician consult, if she plans on getting pregnant. Mothers breastfeeding their infants and taking zanaflex regularly must double check with their physician regarding safety of the infant with zanaflex.
