Zanaflex vs. Ultram

Zanaflex(tizanidinehydrochloride) andUltram(tramadol) are used to treat painfulmuscleconditions.

Zanaflex is used to treat muscle tightness and cramping (spasm) caused by conditions such asmultiple sclerosisor spinalinjury.

Ultram is used to treat moderate to moderately severepaininadults.

Zanaflex and Ultram belong to different drug classes. Zanaflex is amuscle relaxantand Ultram is a pain reliever (analgesic).

Side effectsof Zanaflex and Ultram that are similar includeanxiety, nervousness,stomachpain or upset,diarrhea,constipation, vomiting,fever, drowsiness,dizziness, andskinrash.

Side effects of Zanaflex that are different from Ultram include numbness or tingling,dry mouth, muscle weakness,back pain, increased muscle tone or spasms,sweating, andfatigue.

Side effects of Ultram that are different from Zanaflex include agitation, seizures (convulsions), spinningsensation, hallucinations, fastheart rate过于活跃的反射,nausea, loss of coordination,headache, andfainting.

Both Zanaflex and Ultram may interact withalcoholand certainantiviralmedications.

Zanaflex may also interact withcimetidine,famotidine, ticlopidine, zileuton, birthcontrolpills, antibiotics,blood pressuremedications, orheartrhythm medications.

Ultram may also interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs),antidepressants, antibiotics, antifungals, heart orbloodpressure medications,seizure medications, cold orallergymedicines, bronchodilatorasthma/COPDmedications,diuretics(waterpills); medicines formotion sickness,irritable bowel syndrome, oroveractive bladder; other narcotics, drugs that make you sleepy or slow yourbreathing(sedatives, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, medicines to treat mood disorders or mental illness), stimulants, or medicine for帕金森病,migraine headachemedicines, medications to treat serious infections, and medicines to treat nausea and vomiting.

Do not stop using Zanaflex or Ultram suddenly, or you could have unpleasantwithdrawal symptoms.

Common side effects of Zanaflex include:

• anxiousness,
• nervousness,
• numbness or tingling,
• stomach pain,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• vomiting,
• fever,
• drymouth,
• drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• muscle weakness,
• back pain,
• increased muscle tone or spasms,
• sweating,
• skin rash, and
• fatigue.

Common side effects of Ultram include:

• agitation,
• nervousness,
• anxiety,
• seizures (convulsions),
• skin rash,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• hallucinations,
• fever,
• fast heart rate,
• overactive reflexes,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• upset stomach,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• loss of coordination,
• headache,
• drowsiness, and
• fainting.

Zanaflex is used to treat conditions such as multiplesclerosisor spinal injury.

Ultram is a strongprescriptionpain medicine that contains anopioid(narcotic) that is used for the management pain in adults, when other pain treatments such as non-opioid pain medicines do not treat your pain well enough or you cannot tolerate them. Ultram is an opioid pain medicine that can put you at risk for overdose anddeath. Even if you take your dose correctly as prescribed you are at risk for opioidaddiction, abuse, and misuse that can lead to death.

Zanaflex may interact with alcohol. Zanaflex may also interact with different drugs includingacyclovir, cimetidine, amotidine, ticlopidine, zileuton,birth controlpills, antibiotics, blood pressure medications, or heart rhythm medications.

Ultram is contraindicated in patients receiving MAO inhibitors or who have used them within the previous 14 days.

Zanaflex should be taken exactly as prescribed (consistently either with or withoutfood) and not to switch between tablets and capsules. Inform patients that they should not take more Zanaflex than prescribed because of the risk of adverse events at single doses greater than 8mgor total daily doses greater than 36 mg. Tell patients that they should not suddenly discontinue Zanaflex, becausereboundhypertensionandtachycardiamay occur.

Do not change your dose. Take Ultram exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Use the lowest dose possible for the shortest time needed.

Take your prescribed dose as indicated by yourhealthcare provider. The maximum dosage is 1 or 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours, as needed for pain relief. Do not take more than your prescribed dose and do not take more than 8 tablets per day. If you miss a dose, take your next dose at your usual time.

Call your healthcare provider if the dose you are taking does not control your pain.

If you have been taking Ultram regularly, do not stop taking Ultram without talking to your healthcare provider.

After you stop taking Ultram, ask your医药isthow to dispose of any unused tablets.