I don't think tizanidine/ zanaflex is worthless, but I don't know that I'd say it's got true "recreational" value either. It does seem to help me a bit with back spasms/ pain, but the analgesia is far more limited than its sedative effects. I don't know that I'd view it as a true "potentiator" of opiates either, tho it does help if you're looking to "nod"
I've been prescribed the 4mg zanaflex/ tizanidine tablets (as another poster said, the capsules are less effective) and I've only taken them orally up until this morning (when I snorted one 4mg pill for the first time). Apparently the bioavailability is slightly higher intranasally, per the study below (and yes, we know the trade-off with snorting pills/ binders...not great on your system):
http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/ar...l-muscle-spasm
With faster onset, but shorter duration of effect, per the same study.
Bioavailability is apparently also increased when taken with a high fat meal (again, with tablets only...oddly, capsules were actually LESS effective after eating), based on another study here:
http://www.pubpdf.com/pub/17062304/E...ules-and-table
Similar to some other posters, I've had tizanidine knock me out for a few hours, but then I wake up and have a hard time falling back to sleep.
I've just snorted a 4mg tablet, eaten a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and drank a glass of whole milk (my "go to" low-volume/ high fat "meal", for opiate potentiation, etc) in hopes of getting back to bed.
About 30-40 minutes in and starting to feel the "nod" creep up, and motor skills start to falter. So, I'll have to compare the "end result" with prior oral use, typically in a fasted state, and see if the effects are any more pronounced.
But yeah, as a complement to opiates/ narcotics for those seeking the "nod" without the risk of mixing benzodiazepines, I can see tinazidine/ zanaflex having some value.