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
Prevents seizures, stabilizes mood, and relieves nerve pain.
Tegretol (Carbamazepine) is useful for preventing seizures and relieving certain types of nerve pain, but interacts with many drugs.
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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-line option for trigeminal neuralgia (nerve pain involving the face, head, and neck), and can relieve other types of nerve pain.
- May be helpful in stabilizing mood for people with bipolar disorder.
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).
- Interacts with many other medicines and supplements.
- Higher risk of skin reactions compared to other antiepileptic medicines, ranging from mild to life-threatening rash.
- Can cause blurry vision, dizziness, and upset stomach.
- Not safe to use if you're pregnant.
- Requires routine blood tests to see how the medicine is affecting your body.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
- Extended release
- Chewable tablet
- Oral suspension
Price
Lowest price
$14.09
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$37.48
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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%
18possible side effects
- Dizziness44%
- Somnolence32%
- Nausea28%
- Vomiting18%
- Ataxia15%
- Constipation10%
- Pruritus8%
- Dry Mouth8%
- Asthenia8%
- Rash7%
- Blurred vision6%
- Speech Disorder6%
- Hypertension3%
- Tremor3%
- Paresthesia2%
- Thinking abnormal2%
- Twitching2%
- Vertigo2%
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
- Serious skin rash
- People also taking Depakote
- Asian ancestry
- Blood disorders
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- History of depression
- Serious allergic reactions
- European, Chinese, or Japanese ancestry
- Pregnancy
- Mental changes due to low sodium
- Age 65 years or older
- Withdrawal seizures
- Stopping Tegretol (Carbamazepine) suddenly