Compare Zanaflex vs. Tegretol
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Relaxes your muscles.
Zanaflex (tizanidine) isn't a first-choice treatment for muscle spasticity. Try other options before using this.
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4.3/ 5 average rating with 26 reviewsforZanaflex
Treats seizures and epilepsy.
Tegretol (carbamazepine) is useful for preventing seizures and relieving certain types of nerve pain, but reduces how well many other medications work.
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3.3/ 5 average rating with 61 reviewsforTegretol
Upsides
- Relieves muscle spasticity.
- Available as a generic.
- Available in a tablet or capsule form. It also comes in a capsule that can be opened and sprinkled in applesauce for people that can't swallow pills.
- Lowers the frequency of seizures, especially for people with tonic-clonic and partial seizures.
- First-choice option for trigeminal neuralgia (nerve pain involving the face, head, and neck), and can relieve other types of nerve pain.
- Equetro is helpful in stabilizing mood for people with bipolar disorder.
- Available as a generic in many forms: pill, extended-release pill, suspension, and chewable tablet.
Downsides
- This isn't a first-choice muscle relaxing medication. Other drugs work better and have fewer side effects.
- Takes over an hour to kick in and only lasts 3 to 6 hours.
- Zanaflex (tizanidine) can lower blood pressure, so be careful if you are already on a blood pressure medication.
- Need to be consistent every day in taking this with or without food.
- Elderly individuals have more side effects when taking Zanaflex (tizanidine).
- Takes several weeks to feel the full effects.
- Interacts with many other medicines and supplements.
- Higher risk of skin reactions compared to other antiepileptic medicines, ranging from mild to life-threatening rash.
- Requires routine blood tests to see how the medicine is affecting your body.
- Can't take the suspension form with other liquid medications.
Used for
- Partial seizures
- Generalized tonic-clonic seizures
- Mixed seizure patterns
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Nerve pain
- Pain
- Agitation
- Depression
- Psychosis
- Alcohol withdrawal syndrome
- Restless legs syndrome
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
- Extended-release pill
- Suspension
- Chewable tablet
Price
Lowest price
$8.09
Find instant savings near youLowest price
$35.20
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Reviews
26 reviews so far
81%
saidit'sworth it
73%
saiditworked well
19%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Zanaflex (tizanidine)?
Leave a review61 reviews so far
56%
saidit'sworth it
43%
saiditworked well
23%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Tegretol (carbamazepine)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
17possible side effects
- Dry mouth49%
- Sleepiness48%
- Weakness41%
- Dizziness16%
- Urinary tract infection10%
- General infection6%
- Liver test abnormality6%
- Constipation4%
- Vomiting3%
- Speech disorder3%
- Blurred vision3%
- Urinary frequency3%
- Flu syndrome3%
- Involuntary muscle movement3%
- Nervousness3%
- Sore throat3%
- Hay fever3%
The Tegretol (carbamazepine) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Liver damage
- Taking maximum doses of Zanaflex (tizanidine)
- Dizziness and low blood pressure
- Age 65 years or older
- Currently on blood pressure control medications
- Sleepiness and driving impairment
- Taking other medications that also cause sleepiness
- Recreational drug use
- Excessive alcohol use
- Elderly
- Withdrawal side effects
- Stopping Zanaflex (tizanidine) suddenly
- Life-threatening skin reactions
- Carrying HLA-B*1502 gene
- Asian ancestry
- Blood disorders
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- History of depression
- Serious allergic reactions
- History of allergic reaction to Trileptal (oxcarbamazepine)
- Pregnancy
- Mental changes due to low sodium
- Age 65 or older
- Dehydration
- Taking diuretics (water pills)