Key takeaways
Metaxalone and tizanidine (Zanaflex) are both medications used to treat muscle-related conditions. They help relieve muscle pain and discomfort, but they belong to different medication classes. Metaxalone is a muscle relaxer that works by relaxing the nervous system in the brain, while Tizanidine is an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist that slows down nerves in the spinal column to relax muscles. Metaxalone is typically taken three to four times a day, whereas tizanidine is taken up to three times a day as needed. Both medications are available as lower-cost generics. Common side effects of metaxalone include dizziness and drowsiness, while tizanidine can cause dry mouth, sleepiness, and low blood pressure. Metaxalone can interact with antidepressants, leading to a rare condition called serotonin syndrome, while tizanidine should not be taken with certain antibiotics like ciprofloxacin due to the risk of very low blood pressure.
