This article was written in order to get acquainted with the drug "Sirdalud" and instructions for its use. All information posted here is an addition and simplification of the annotation to this medicine.
What is this medicine?
Sirdalud is a relatively new, but very effective drug that belongs to the clinical and pharmacological group of centrally acting muscle relaxants. This drug directly affects the neuromuscular transmission, promotes muscle relaxation and acts to reduce their resistance. The drug "Tizanil" is an analogue of "Sirdalud". Other generics are Tizalud and Sirdalud MR. These medications will be discussed below. The medicine "Sirdalud" is prescribed:
- with spasms of skeletal muscles or hypertonicity;
- seizures and related pain syndrome.
The active ingredient in this medicine is tizanidine. This substance is capable of rapid and almost complete absorption when taken orally. In plasma, the maximum amount of tizanidine is fixed afterhour after taking the medicine.
The drug "Sirdalud" has a positive effect on human muscles, toning them. The mechanism of action of the drug has some differences from other muscle relaxants. The main advantage that the analogue of "Sirdalud" also has is that with a decrease in the overall tone of the muscle mass, muscle strength does not decrease. In addition, it is possible to take this drug and food at the same time. And this factor will not affect the properties of the drug and the treatment as a whole.
Indications for use
For what diseases is the drug "Sirdalud" recommended? Indications for use, analogues will be discussed further. This medication is prescribed for the following disorders:
- Impaired circulation of the brain.
- Cerebral palsy.
- Degenerative disorders of the spinal cord.
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Myelopathy.
Also, for some other symptomatic diseases, the attending physician prescribes the medicine "Sirdalud". The indications for the use of this drug are as follows:
- Diseases of the spine (vertebral column), such as osteochondrosis, sciatica, etc.
- Rehabilitation after surgery, that is, the restoration of the human body after surgery, for example, after removal of an intervertebral hernia or osteoarthritis of the hip.
Action on the human body
Tizanidine is the active substance of Sirdalud. It relaxes and tones the muscles of a person. Tizanidin stimulates the receptors of the spinal cord and in every way slows down the release of amino acids that have an exciting effect. Due to this, muscle tone decreases, and the muscular frame of the back relaxes to a normal physiological state. Further, there is a decrease in pain, because tizanidine anesthetizes. Then the activity of the movement of the spine is restored.
The nature of the action of the active substance, which contains "Sirdalud", is successfully used in the fight against diseases of the spine and to relieve muscle spasms. The therapeutic effect is directly related to the level of concentration of this substance in the blood.
Form and composition
This modern muscle relaxant comes in three forms:
- 2 mg tablets.
- 4 mg tablets.
- 6mg capsules
Tablets "Sirdalud", the use and doses of which we will consider a little later, are white. They are round and flat, their edges are beveled. On one side of the 2 mg tablets there is a line and the code OZ. On tablets of 4 mg, the risks cross, on the other side - the code RL. The biologically active substance that is part of this medication, as mentioned above, is tizanidine hydrochloride. Also, the composition of the drug includes excipients, such as:
- Stearic acid.
- Silicon dioxide colloidal anhydrous.
- Microcrystalline cellulose.
- Lactose, or milk sugar, etc.
In the instructions for use of the drug "Sirdalud" it is indicated that the drugcomes in PVC blisters of 10 tablets per pack.
Method of administration and dosage
The dosage regimen of a therapeutic agent is determined strictly individually by the attending physician. The recommended initial dose of Sirdalud is 2 mg three times a day. The drug is prescribed for oral administration. With increased soreness of muscle spasms, a 3-time intake of 2-4 mg of Sirdalud is recommended (the instructions for use do not describe analogues of this drug, but we will definitely talk about them a little lower). Another additional medication is possible if necessary. It is advisable to do this at night, as the medicine can cause drowsiness.
To relieve muscle spasms caused by neurological disorders, at the initial stage of treatment, no more than 6 mg of the drug per day is recommended. The optimal therapeutic dose in 24 hours is 12 to 24 mg.
"Sirdalud MR" is a capsule with a dosage of the active substance 6 mg. The initial dose is 1 capsule per day. Gradually, you can double it. The optimal dose for most patients is 2 capsules, or 12 mg. In exceptional moments, the dose per day is increased to 4 capsules or up to 24 mg. The duration of the course of treatment is individual and is selected by the doctor depending on the patient's state of he alth.
Side effects of muscle relaxant
As with any medication, Sirdalud may cause some side effects such as:
- Dizziness.
- Itching and skin rash.
- Daytime sleepiness.
- Gastrointestinal disorders.
- Fatigue.
- Nausea.
- Insomnia at night.
- Dry mouth.
- Muscle weakness.
- Hallucinations.
- Bradycardia.
- Confusion.
- Lower blood pressure, etc.
When taken in high doses of this drug, all of the above side effects occur more often. But in most cases they are not so pronounced as to stop taking Sirdalud. Reviews (analogues of this remedy can also cause minor side effects, but usually when the medicine is not taken according to the prescribed regimen) can be contradictory, first of all, you should listen to your doctor and do not prescribe the dosage yourself. After the course of treatment is completed and the drug is no longer used, all of the above symptoms disappear by themselves.
Contraindications for the use of "Sirdalud"
With caution, this therapeutic drug is prescribed to patients over 65 years of age. What other contraindications does Sirdalud (tablets) have? Analogues of the drug and the original remedy should not be taken in the presence of the following conditions:
- Intolerance to tizanidine or any other ingredient in this medication.
- Congenital lactase deficiency.
- Pregnancy.
- Breastfeeding the baby.
- Diseases of the liver and kidneys (liver and kidney failure).
In addition, there are restrictions regarding interactions with other drugs. The list is indicated in the instructions for use of the drug "Sirdalud". The instruction (reviews only confirm this) is written in quite accessible language. So be sure to read it before taking your doctor's prescription.
Some restrictions
As mentioned above, for older people over 65 years old, an analogue of "Sirdalud" or the drug itself is prescribed by a doctor with caution. That is, a reduced dosage of the drug is recommended. This method of treatment occurs due to insufficient kidney function in the elderly. The drug begins to accumulate in the body, and this leads to an overdose and more serious consequences.
For patients with renal insufficiency, it is necessary to use 2 mg of a drug such as Sirdalud per day. Increasing the dose of the drug is prescribed gradually, taking into account tolerability and effectiveness. If you need to get a more significant effect, it is recommended to increase the rate. Initially, the drug is taken once a day. And only with good tolerance after a while the doctor prescribes the drug several times a day.
Special Instructions
Concomitant use of drugs based on tizanidine and alcoholic beverages causes drowsiness and reduces the therapeutic effect of this medication. During pregnancy and lactation, any analogue of "Sirdalud" and the drug itself are prescribed by the doctor only in the verylast resort. Only when the mother's illness threatens her life. The influence of the therapeutic properties of the drug on the developing fetus has not yet been practically studied. It is also not known whether the active substance "Sirdalud" - tizanidine hydrochloride - enters breast milk. If there is a need for therapeutic treatment of a nursing mother, the question of stopping breastfeeding may be raised. How the drug will work in older children is also unknown, since there is currently insufficient data from clinical studies on the effects of this drug in patients in this age group. Therefore, taking "Sirdalud" for children under eighteen is contraindicated.
Patients who experience drowsiness or dizziness under the influence of the drug are advised to refrain from types of work that require increased concentration and quick reactions. For example, driving any vehicle or working with machines and mechanisms. Abrupt withdrawal of the drug can give impetus to the development of asthenia and cerebrovascular accident.
Overdose
There are some reports of side effects in overdose - a significant excess of the recommended dose of this drug (over 400 mg):
- Dyspeptic disorders.
- Miosis.
- Sudden drop in blood pressure.
- Coma.
If the above symptoms of an overdose occur, the patient should wash the stomach, take sorbents, such as activated charcoal and diuretics.
Sirdalud analogues
They produce similar drugs in form and composition. They are similar to such a medicine as Sirdalud. Cheap analogues are "Tizalud", "Tizanidin", which are available both in tablets and in the form of a solution for injection. There are also others:
- "Sirdalud MR".
- Tizanil.
When there is no "Sirdalud" in the pharmacy, the pharmacist usually recommends a similar medicine to the patient. The therapeutic effect and composition of them are almost similar, because they contain the same active substance. These medications have similar side effects. It is also necessary to take analogues of "Sirdalud" only on the recommendation of a doctor.
This article is not an instruction for the use of Sirdalud. Be sure to consult a specialist doctor before you start taking this medicine. In no case do not self-medicate. Do not trust the stories of friends and reviews on the Internet. The drug can be prescribed only by a doctor, having previously assessed your state of he alth, complaints and tests. Be careful when buying, carefully study the instructions and composition.
