Two medicines, side by side
Baclofen vs tizanidine
Baclofen and tizanidine are both labeled for muscle spasms and spasticity. Drugs@FDA records approvals of baclofen since 1977 and of tizanidine since 1996. Pharmacies paid $0.032 per baclofen 10 mg tablet and $0.0331 per tizanidine HCl 4 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, baclofen is a gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic agonist and tizanidine a central alpha-2 adrenergic agonist.
Check it at the source: the baclofen FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 12, 2024); the tizanidine FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 2, 2026).
Highlights of the baclofen record
Baclofen (Gablofen) · label of August 12, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsBaclofen tablets USP are useful for the alleviation of signs and symptoms of spasticity resulting from multiple sclerosis, particularly for the relief of flexor spasms and concomitant pain, clonus, and muscular rigidity. Patients should have reversible spasticity so that baclofen treatment will aid in restoring residual function. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 22, 1977
- Generic labelers
- 55 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.032 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Highlights of the tizanidine record
Tizanidine (Zanaflex) · label of January 2, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsZanaflex is indicated for the treatment of spasticity in adults. Zanaflex is a central alpha-2-adrenergic agonist indicated for the treatment of spasticity.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 27, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 49 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0331 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Baclofen label of August 12, 2024, Tizanidine label of January 2, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do baclofen and tizanidine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, baclofen is a gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic agonist and tizanidine a central alpha-2 adrenergic agonist.
Generics: baclofen since 1988; tizanidine since 2002 (Drugs@FDA).
| Baclofen | Tizanidine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Muscle spasms and spasticity | Muscle spasms and spasticity |
| Pharmacologic class | gamma-Aminobutyric Acid-ergic Agonist | Central alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Tizanidine is a central alpha-2-adrenergic receptor agonist and presumably reduces spasticity by increasing presynaptic inhibition of motor neurons. The effects of tizanidine are greatest on polysynaptic pathways. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Elimination Metabolism Tizanidine has a half-life of approximately 2.5 hours (CV=33%). |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 22, 1977 | November 27, 1996 |
| First generic approved | July 21, 1988 | June 27, 2002 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 55 labelers | 49 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.032 per tablet (Baclofen 10 mg tablet) | $0.0331 per tablet (Tizanidine HCl 4 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 3 | 9 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 88,351 | 41,179 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to baclofen
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions