Methadone and Tizanidine interaction
Methadone and Tizanidine: both prescribing labels flag this combination with the strongest language, such as a contraindication, a boxed warning, or an instruction to avoid it.
Do not combine without a prescriber's guidance. The label language below is the strongest FDA uses.
What the FDA labels say
From the Methadone (METHADOSE) label · effective 2026-04-27
Managing Risks from Concomitant Use with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants Concomitant use with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, is a risk factor for respiratory depression and death [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )].
Reserve concomitant prescribing of benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants in patients in methadone treatment to those for whom alternatives to benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants are inadequate.
Concomitant use with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, and death.
Examples: butorphanol, nalbuphine, pentazocine, buprenorphine Muscle Relaxants Clinical Impact: Methadone may enhance the neuromuscular blocking action of skeletal muscle relaxants and produce an increased degree of respiratory depression.
Intervention: Monitor patients for signs of respiratory depression that may be greater than otherwise expected and decrease the dosage of METHADOSE and/or the muscle relaxant as necessary.
From the Tizanidine (Zanaflex) label · effective 2026-01-02
Sedation: Zanaflex may interfere with everyday activities; sedative effects of Zanaflex, alcohol, and other central nervous system (CNS) depressants are additive ( 5.3 , 7.4 )
The CNS depressant effects of Zanaflex with alcohol and other CNS depressants (e.g., benzodiazepines, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants) may be additive [see Drug Interactions ( 7.4 )] .
Monitor patients who take Zanaflex with another CNS depressant for symptoms of excess sedation.
To minimize the risk of these reactions, particularly in patients who have been receiving high doses of Zanaflex (20 to 28 mg daily) for long periods of time (9 weeks or more) or who may be on concomitant treatment with narcotics, the Zanaflex dosage should be decreased slowly [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.5 )] .
Alcohol and Other CNS Depressants Alcohol increases the exposure of tizanidine after administration of Zanaflex.
Taking more than these two? Interactions stack. Check your whole list at once; it stays in your browser.
Open in the checkerNot medical advice. Interaction Checker quotes FDA label text and NIH fact sheets. Whether an interaction matters for you depends on doses, timing, kidney and liver function, and other conditions. Confirm with a pharmacist or prescriber.