# 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](https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/tizanidine-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20066921) doses for adults every 6 to 8 hours, but your doctor might adjust your dosage as needed. You should not take more than [36mg](https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/tizanidine-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20066921) 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_](https://www.goodrx.com/coupon?drug_id=29747&pharmacy_id=31240&quantity=30&extras=n8qC2sDkHE2wS2ajId8m0u0z8oA%3D+-4QNGnsibmV0d29yayI6IG51bGwsICJzZWFyY2hfdGltZSI6IDE2ODQyMDkwNjQuMTkxOTk1NiwgInByaWNlIjogMTEuOTg5MDAwMzIwNDM0NTcsICJsYXQiOiA0MC43MTMwNDcwMywgImxvbiI6IC03NC4wMDcyMzI2NywgImRpc3RhbmNlX21pIjogNjAsICJ6aXBfY29kZSI6ICIxMDAwMSIsICJzdGF0ZSI6IG51bGwsICJwcmljZV9maWx0ZXJzIjogWyJhcHBlbmRfdG9wX3N0YXRlX3BoYXJtYWN5IiwgImluY19jbW8iLCAiaW5jX2dtbyIsICJpbmNsdWRlX2Jkc19jb21wdXRlZF9wb3NfbmV0d29ya3MiLCAiaW5jbHVkZV9lc3J4IiwgImluY2x1ZGVfZ29sZF9wcmljZXMiLCAiaW5jbHVkZV9vbmxpbmVfY3BjIiwgImluY2x1ZGVfcmVnaXN0ZXJlZF91c2VyX3ByaWNlcyJdLCAicGhhcm1fZmlsdGVycyI6IG51bGwsICJwb3NfY2FtcGFpZ24iOiAibGltaXRlZF90aW1lX3Byb21vdGlvbiJ9) _,_ [_Costco_](https://www.costco.com/cmpps?drugIdentifierParam=00666563560&drugNameParam=tiZANidine+HCl) _(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](https://www.goodrx.com/healthcare-access/medication-education/capsule-or-tablet) than the oral tablet. The major differences are:

1. Tablets are made entirely of compressed and powdered medicine. In contrast, capsules contain powdered or liquefied medication inside a hard or soft shell.
2. Tablets can be crushed or split, but capsules cannot.

| **Tizanidine Dosage Form** | **Average Price** |
| --- | --- |
| Capsule (30 count) | 2 mg | $23.10 |
| 4 mg | $38.10 |
| 6 mg | $45.30 |
| Tablet (30 count) | 2 mg | $19.07 |
| 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_](https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/zanaflex) _(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](https://www.goodrx.com/) or [SingleCare](https://www.singlecare.com/) 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](https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/tizanidine-oral-route/description/drg-20066921) 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<br>Affordable generic version available<br>Tablets can be crushed to optimize dosage<br>Can be taken as needed<br>Multiple strengths available (2mg, 4mg, 6mg) | Can cause low blood pressure<br>Must be consistent with how the medication is taken (with or without food) |

### What are the side effects of tizanidine?

Common [side effects](https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/tizanidine-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20066921?p=1) of tizanidine include:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue

### Is tizanidine safe for children and pregnant people?

This medication is [not recommended](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601121.html) for children and has not been adequately studied in pregnant people.