Does Zanaflex work better than Baclofen or vise versa? Is one a stronger more effective medication?

Wondering why some neuro prescribe one over the other?

If the Zanaflex rep has visited you will likely get a pitch for this drug. It was recently sold to another company, who turned it into capsules which are not AB rated to the generic tizanidine. Hence the reps promote it alot.

Zanaflex is really related to clonidine, and may cause hypotension, hallucinations (in some people) and interacts with many drugs including fluoroquinolone antibiotics like Cipro and Levaquin.

Some migraine people use it, some whiplash, and typically it is reserved for those who don't respond well to other products.

It should be used carefully, therefore.

Baclofen did not work for me ( was taking 60 mg a day with no noticeable relief); zanaflex made me extremely nauseated.

Baclofen is currently the only drug I take for any MS-ish symptoms that I have, other than Meclizine.

I upped my Baclofen to 3 pills at night the other day because I've had a bit more spasticity in my feet and legs lately. It seems to make me a little hung over in the morning, but so far it hasnt caused me any other problems that I've noticed.

I used to take baclofen, but I didn't feel it gave me much relief for spasticity.
When I switched neuros, he took me off and put me on zanaflex. It has been upped in dosage over the past 6 months or so due to an increase in the spasms.

So I honestly can't say that one works better over the other.

medical MJ does help though...just calms the nerves down and the spasms lessen...so I've heard

Baclofen helps me a lot. I take 20 mg 3 times a day. At night the spasticity is much worse so I take 4 mg of xanaflex at bedtime. It is much stronger than the baclofen but it puts me to sleep. I could never take xanaflex and be able to function during the day. I guess everyone is different because I have heard people say baclofen makes them tired.

I used to take zanaflex and it was awesome. it controlled my spastic muscles one two three, but...it came at a price. I had horrible, vivid wild dreams, and felt spacey and out of control during the day. it simply wasnt worth it for me. the longer I was on it, the worse it got. I switched back to baclofen and am doing great.

Zanaflex is distributed by Acorda, (who bought the patent from Lilly years ago).

Acorda also distributes Ampyra.... for MS.

So your MS doctor will naturally be detailed by the reps from Acorda and offer Zanaflex too. It is a natural combination.

http://www.acorda.com/Products/Default.aspx

The risk of CNS effects like the hallucinations, is problematic IMO.

and some Baclofen manufacturers we found make you very sleepy. All you have to do is ask your pharmacist to switch Baclofen manufactures.

I take Baclofen round the clock with good results. Stretching exercises help too.

I tried adding Zanaflex and it kept me up for 3 days.

Take care.

Docs and pharmas...grrr...