Resources for Physicians

Differences between Zanaflex capsules and tablets.

Prevent Switching from Capsules to Tablets

1. Is there a sample program for Zanaflex Capsules^® (tizanidine hydrochloride)?

Yes. The sampling program offers a starter supply of Zanaflex Capsules^® (tizanidine hydrochloride) for your patients. For more information please contact Acorda Medical Information at 1-800-367-5109 or click here.

2. Does Acorda provide any resources for my office staff who are helping to
obtain reimbursement information for patients who are taking Zanaflex Capsules^® (tizanidine hydrochloride)?

Yes, the Zanaflex Capsules^® (tizanidine hydrochloride) Reimbursement Program is designed to help you help your patients work through the insurance reimbursement process with as few complications as possible. The programs staff can help with tasks such as:

Reimbursement and co-pay issues
Obtaining insurance healthcare coverage
Assistance with claims forms
Other reimbursement related issues
Identify a pharmacy to fill prescription

How to utilize the Reimbursement Program:Call the Zanaflex Capsules^® (tizanidine hydrochloride) Reimbursement Hotline toll-free at 1-800-464-0097. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm EST.

3. Is there a patient assistance program?

Yes, the Zanaflex Capsules^® (tizanidine hydrochloride) Assistance Program is designed to help patients who do not have insurance and whose income falls within the specific guidelines.

To enroll, your patients can call: 1-800-464-0097.

The patient advocates at the toll-free number listed above will be able to help your patients with the application process for this program. The toll-free program number is open from 10 am to 6 pm EST, Monday through Friday.

4. Can I arrange for a sales representative to visit my office?

If you would like a Zanaflex Capsules^® (tizanidine hydrochloride) sales representative to visit your office, call Acorda Medical Information at 1-800-347-5109 who will route your request to the appropriate Zanaflex Capsules^® (tizanidine hydrochloride) Area Business Manager.

Please see below for Important Safety Information.

Be sure your patient received what you prescribed

Zanaflex Capsules® (tizanidine hydrochloride) is a short-acting drug indicated for the management of spasticity. Because of the short duration of effect, treatment with Zanaflex Capsules® (tizanidine hydrochloride) should be reserved for those daily activities and times when relief of spasticity is most important.

Important Safety Information:

Use with fluvoxamine or ciprofloxacin is contraindicated and results in significant increases in tizanidine plasma levels.
There is a limited data base for chronic use of single doses above 8 mg and multiple doses above 24 mg per day.
Tizanidine is an alpha2-adrenergic agonist and can produce hypotension. In a single-dose study where patients were not titrated, two-thirds of patients given 8 mg of Zanaflex experienced hypotension, which may be minimized by titration of dose. The hypotensive effect is dose related and has been measured following single doses of 2 mg or more.
Tizanidine occasionally causes liver injury, most often of the hepatocellular type.
Patients should be advised that sedation may interfere with daily activities. These effects appear to be dose related.
Visual hallucinations or delusions occurred in 3% (5/170) of study patients in two North American clinical trials.
Use with caution in hepatic or renally impaired patients.
Use with oral contraceptives results in 50% decrease in tizanidine clearance.
To discontinue therapy, taper the dose in patients receiving high doses over long time periods to reduce the risk of hypertension, tachycardia and hypertonia.
In vitro studies indicate that neither tizanidine nor the major metabolites are likely to affect the metabolism of other drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 isoenzymes.
Most common adverse events with tizanidine include dry mouth (49%), somnolence (48%), asthenia [weakness, fatigue and/or tiredness] (41%), dizziness (16%) and increased ALT (5%). Other adverse events include UTI, infection and constipation.
Food has complex effects on tizanidine pharmacokinetics, which differ for the different formulations. These pharmacokinetic differences may result in clinically significant differences when switching formulations, or changing administration during a fed or fasted state. These changes may result in increased adverse events or a delayed/more rapid onset of activity, depending on the nature of the switch.

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