Mahajan R, Kalita J. Tizanidine Induced Hypotension: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature.
Curr Drug Saf 2024;
19:313-316. [PMID:
37489780 DOI:
10.2174/1574886318666230725113855]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Spasticity is a common sequelae of stroke, and often these patients receive anti-spastic drugs such as baclofen or tizanidine. Stroke patients have multiple co-morbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and seizure. Tizanidine is an α2 and imidazole receptor agonist at a spinal and supraspinal level resulting in reduced central sympathetic outflow and causing hypotension rarely, especially in those receiving beta-blockers or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.
CASE PRESENTATION
We report a 56-year-old hypertensive male presenting with altered sensorium who had recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage with left spastic hemiplegia and focal seizures. He was on amlodipine, atenolol, telmisartan and oxcarbazepine. After 3 doses of tizanidine 2mg, his blood pressure dropped from 140/90 to 80/40 mmHg and pulse from 82 bpm to 44 bpm. His blood counts, serum chemistry, procalcitonin, and Trop I were normal. ECG revealed sinus bradycardia. After 8 hours of withdrawing tizanidine, his blood pressure became 110/70 mmHg, and on the next day, it became 140/82 mmHg. His attendants were taught physiotherapy to minimize spasticity.
CONCLUSION
This patient highlights the need for close monitoring of patients receiving tizanidine co-medication with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers. These drugs have a synergistic effect on reducing the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, thereby hypotension and bradycardia.
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