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Does Tizanidine Decrease Heart Rate?

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Posted on Thu, 27 Apr 2017
Question: Hi,
I have been tanking Tizanidine for almost 2 months now. I'm allowed to take up to 3 capsules of 4mg dosage a day. I only have done that on one day. I usually have to take one about every other day or uniquely 2 in a day. I was at the neurologist yesterday and my blood pressure was 150/90 (I have high blood pressure all the time) but my heart rate was only 64. That is unbelievable to me. I had thyroid cancer and they keep my TSH on the higher side. I do not work out, ever; I smoke, and I need to lose 20 lbs (5'8" 190lbs but you wouldn't suspect it) I take: Cymbalta for depression 300mg daily, Vimpat for seizures (can't remember the dose but it's the max), Synthroid from surgery and radiation after cancer 225mg daily and a sleeping pill that is similar to Ambien but doesn't give me side effects (I don't take it every night but I really am supposed to) and Xanax as needed up to 6 pink pills or 3 blue ones a day (I take usually 1 pink one a day and on a really bad day I don't even exceed 4 pink ones). So my concern is that I still have really high blood pressure but a really low heart rate. I've never had lower than 80 even when I was a serious athlete in high school and weighed 150 pounds. I'm sure it's from the muscle relaxer, should I be concerned?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Rahul Rathee (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Tizanidine decreases heart rate, its sudden withdrawl increases B.P

Detailed Answer:
Hello
How are you ?
I am Dr Rahul Rathee and it would be my pleasure to answer your query .
You must be aware that tizanidine is a muscle relaxant .
Tizanidine has certain effects on other organs ( side effects ) apart from its action on muscles .
Its noticable side effects includes -
(1) Decrease in heart rate
(2) Decrease in blood pressure
But its not necessary that these side effects will occur in every person who takes this medicine . Every human body is unique and thus will react differently to tizanidine or any other medicine for that matter .
Another thing that happens with tizanidine is that if you stop this medicine abruptly , there will be increase in blood pressure . Thats why tizanidine is never stopped abruptly and doctors would rather decrease the dose and stop this medicine gradually .
None of the other medicine you have mentioned interacts with tizanidine .
So what i concluded is that -
(1) Your decreased heart rate is because you are taking tizanidine .
(2) Reason for increase in your blood pressure is because you are not following the dosage of tizanidine prescribed by your doctor . Rather you are taking it irregularly on your own , that is , some day you take a single tablet , another day you take two tablets . This irregular schedule is affecting your blood pressure .
I would strongly advice you to kindly discuss all the details i have mentioned , with your doctor and please follow your doctors prescription regarding dose and frequency of taking the prescribed medicines . Dont take it on your own .
I hope you are satisfied with the details given by me to clear your doubts but if you still have any concerns , please feel free to ask me . If you are satisfied with my answer kindly close the discussion .
Regards
Dr Rahul Rathee .
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Rahul Rathee

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 451 Questions

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Does Tizanidine Decrease Heart Rate?

Brief Answer: Tizanidine decreases heart rate, its sudden withdrawl increases B.P Detailed Answer: Hello How are you ? I am Dr Rahul Rathee and it would be my pleasure to answer your query . You must be aware that tizanidine is a muscle relaxant . Tizanidine has certain effects on other organs ( side effects ) apart from its action on muscles . Its noticable side effects includes - (1) Decrease in heart rate (2) Decrease in blood pressure But its not necessary that these side effects will occur in every person who takes this medicine . Every human body is unique and thus will react differently to tizanidine or any other medicine for that matter . Another thing that happens with tizanidine is that if you stop this medicine abruptly , there will be increase in blood pressure . Thats why tizanidine is never stopped abruptly and doctors would rather decrease the dose and stop this medicine gradually . None of the other medicine you have mentioned interacts with tizanidine . So what i concluded is that - (1) Your decreased heart rate is because you are taking tizanidine . (2) Reason for increase in your blood pressure is because you are not following the dosage of tizanidine prescribed by your doctor . Rather you are taking it irregularly on your own , that is , some day you take a single tablet , another day you take two tablets . This irregular schedule is affecting your blood pressure . I would strongly advice you to kindly discuss all the details i have mentioned , with your doctor and please follow your doctors prescription regarding dose and frequency of taking the prescribed medicines . Dont take it on your own . I hope you are satisfied with the details given by me to clear your doubts but if you still have any concerns , please feel free to ask me . If you are satisfied with my answer kindly close the discussion . Regards Dr Rahul Rathee .