Tizanidine is a medication used to help relax certain muscles in the body, relieving spasms, cramping, and tightness caused by medical problems such as multiple sclerosis or certain injuries to the spine. It belongs to a group of medications called muscle relaxants and acts on the central nervous system to produce its muscle relaxant effects. Tizanidine does not cure these problems, but it may allow other treatments, such as physical therapy, to be more helpful in improving the patients condition. Tizanidine may cause side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, clumsiness or unsteadiness, or vision problems in some people, so it is important to know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert, well-coordinated, and able to see well. Tizanidine capsules may be opened and sprinkled on soft foods such as applesauce, but it is important to talk to your doctor before opening the capsules because the effects of the medication when used in this manner may be different than when swallowing the capsule whole.