Tizanidine vs Baclofen: Quick Guide for Muscle Relief

If you’ve been prescribed a muscle relaxer, chances are you’ve heard the names tizanidine and baclofen. Both are used to calm stiff or spastic muscles, but they work a bit differently and have distinct pros and cons. Below we break down what each drug does, how to take them, and what to watch out for, so you can pick the one that fits your needs.

How They Work and When Doctors Use Them

Tizanidine is a short‑acting alpha‑2 adrenergic agonist. It tells nerve signals to slow down, which eases muscle tone. Doctors often choose it for sudden muscle spasms, back pain, or after surgery. Because it wears off in a few hours, you can adjust the dose throughout the day.

Baclofen is a GABA‑B receptor agonist. It reduces nerve activity in the spinal cord, making it good for chronic spasticity from conditions like multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Baclofen stays in the system longer, so you usually take it in divided doses that cover the whole day.

Dosage, Side Effects, and Things to Watch

Typical starting doses are low for both drugs. Tizanidine often begins at 2 mg up to three times a day, with a max of about 36 mg daily. Baclofen starts around 5 mg three times a day, and can be increased to about 60 mg total, depending on response.

Side effects differ enough to matter. Tizanidine can make you feel drowsy, dizzy, or cause dry mouth and low blood pressure. If you stand up quickly, you might feel light‑headed. Baclofen’s common complaints are fatigue, weakness, and sometimes a ‘cheesy’ feeling in the mouth. Both can cause constipation, so staying hydrated helps.

If you have liver problems, tizanidine needs extra caution because it’s cleared by the liver. Baclofen is processed by the kidneys, so kidney issues require dose adjustments. Never mix either drug with alcohol or strong sedatives without checking your doctor – the combo can amplify sleepiness.

When it comes to withdrawal, baclofen can cause seizures if you stop abruptly, so tapering is a must. Tizanidine can also cause rebound high blood pressure if you quit suddenly, so a gradual step‑down works best for both.

In practice, many doctors start with tizanidine for short‑term flare‑ups and switch to baclofen if the spasticity is ongoing. Some patients even use both, but at low doses, under close supervision, to balance quick relief and long‑term control.

Bottom line: pick tizanidine if you need fast, on‑demand relief and don’t have liver concerns. Choose baclofen for steady control of chronic spasticity, especially if kidney function is good. Always discuss your full medical history and any other meds you take, so your doctor can fine‑tune the plan and keep side effects in check.