How Much Does Zanaflex (Tizanidine) Cost Without Insurance? | Mira Health
How Much Does Zanaflex (Tizanidine) Cost Without Insurance?
Tizanidine is the generic form of Zanaflex, a muscle relaxant drug used to relieve muscle spasms for disorders like multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, and brain or spinal injury. The medication costs approximately $20.61 for 30 4mg tizanidine tablets and $47.04 for 90 4mg tablets. The price depends on the dosage form, pharmacy location, and brand name.
Cost of Tizanidine Without Insurance
Tizanidine should be taken in 2mg doses for adults every 6 to 8 hours, but your doctor might adjust your dosage as needed. You should not take more than 36mg per day. The capsule form of tizanidine is available in 2, 4, and 6mg; the tablet form is in 2 and 4 mg. Without insurance, the average cost for 30-count 4mg tizanidine tablets is $20.61; the average cost for 90-count 4mg tizanidine tablets is $47.04.
The tables below reflect the average retail price for 4mg tizanidine tablets across popular pharmacies.
| Pharmacy Name | Cost (30 count) | Cost (90 count) |
|---|---|---|
| CVS | $17.35 | $34.06 |
| Walgreens | $39.00 - $41.00 | $110.00 - $111.00 |
| Walmart | $9.00 | $24.00 |
| Costco Pharmacy | $15.10 | $19.10 |
Sources: GoodRx , Costco _(as of 05/17/2023).
Factors Impacting the Cost of Tizanidine
Tizanidine is only available with a doctor’s prescription and cannot be purchased over the counter. Its average cost can vary significantly. The most important factors affecting tizanidine's pricing are dosage form, pharmacy location, and brand name.
Dosage Form: Tablet Vs. Capsule
The oral capsule form of tizanidine is significantly more expensive than the oral tablet. The major differences are:
- Tablets are made entirely of compressed and powdered medicine. In contrast, capsules contain powdered or liquefied medication inside a hard or soft shell.
- Tablets can be crushed or split, but capsules cannot.
| Tizanidine Dosage Form | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Capsule (30 count) | 2 mg |
| 4 mg | $38.10 |
| 6 mg | $45.30 |
| Tablet (30 count) | 2 mg |
| 4 mg | $20.61 |
Generic Vs. Brand Name
The brand-name version of tizanidine is called Zanaflex. Generic tizanidine is consistently more affordable than Zanaflex.
| Tizanidine (Generic) | Zanaflex (Brand) | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $19.07 - $21.00 | $100.80 |
| Average Price Per Tablet | $0.64 - $0.70 | $3.36 |
Source: Drugs.com (as of 05/15/2023)
Pharmacy Location
Medication prices vary based on location. Generally, Zanaflex does not vary much based on pharmacy, but tizanidine does.
| Pharmacy Name | Generic Tizanidine Cost | Zanaflex Cost |
|---|---|---|
| CVS | $17.35 | $94.83 |
| Walgreens | $41.00 | $91.00 |
| Walmart | $9.00 | $92.90 |
| Costco Pharmacy | $15.10 | $92.91 |
Ways to Save on Tizanidine Without Insurance
There are many ways to save on tizanidine. Prescription discount cards are options for saving money. Use GoodRx or SingleCare for coupon cards. Opt for the generic and tablet dosage form of tizanidine whenever possible. Walmart tends to offer the lowest price among popular pharmacies.
Tizanidine and Medicare
Medicare Part D (Drug Coverage) covers the cost of most prescription drugs, including tizanidine.
| 30-count Average Medicare Cost | 90-count Average Medicare Cost |
|---|---|
| $16.59 | $49.77 |
Tizanidine FAQs
What exactly does tizanidine treat?
This drug is used to relax muscles and relieve spasms, cramping, and muscle tightness caused by MS or spinal injuries.
What are the pros and cons of using tizanidine?
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Works quickly Affordable generic version available Tablets can be crushed to optimize dosage Can be taken as needed Multiple strengths available (2mg, 4mg, 6mg) |
Can cause low blood pressure Must be consistent with how the medication is taken (with or without food) |
What are the side effects of tizanidine?
Common side effects of tizanidine include:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
Is tizanidine safe for children and pregnant people?
This medication is not recommended for children and has not been adequately studied in pregnant people.