Dantrium

Dantrium Drug Information

• Dantrium Overview

  Dantrium is used to treat muscle tightness and cramping (spasms) caused by certain nerve disorders such as spinal cord injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis. It works by relaxing the muscles. Dantrolene helps reduce muscle pain and stiffness, improves your ability to move around, and lets you do more of your daily activities. Dantrolene is also used with other treatments to prevent or treat special cases of high fever (malignant hyperthermia) related to anesthesia and surgery.

• Dantrium Warnings

  Infrequently, dantrolene may cause very serious (possibly fatal) liver problems. The risk is greater if you use high doses of dantrolene (over 400-800 milligrams per day), or are female, older than 35 years, or taking other medications. Signs of liver problems usually appear between 3-12 months of treatment. To reduce your risk of this side effect, you should have regular liver tests checked by your doctor.persistent nausea/vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin, unusual tiredness. To further reduce your risk of side effects, do not increase your dose or take it more often or for longer than prescribed. The lowest effective dose should be used. The manufacturer recommends that if your condition does not improve after 45 days of treatment, your doctor must be notified and dantrolene should be stopped.

• How to Use Dantrium

  Take Dantrium by mouth as directed by your doctor. For the treatment of long-term muscle tightness/spasms, your doctor may slowly increase your dose to lower your chance of side effects until the right dose for you is determined. The manufacturer recommends that you do not take more than 400 milligrams per day. Dosage of Dantrium is based on your medical condition, response to therapy, and in some cases weight. For the prevention and treatment of malignant hyperthermia, treatment lasts for several days. Take Dantrium regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.

• Dantrium Precautions

  Before taking dantrolene, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. Dantrium may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using Dantrium, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history,liver problems (such as hepatitis, cirrhosis), breathing problems (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD), heart problems. Dantrium may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis). Dantrium may make you more sensitive to the sun. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Tell your doctor right away if you get sunburned or have skin blisters/redness. Before having surgery, tell your doctors or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). During pregnancy, Dantrium should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Dantrium passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

• Dantrium Misdose

  If you miss a dose of Dantrium, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

• Dantrium Interactions

  Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness such as opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), other muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine). Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

• Dantrium Side Effects

  What are Dantrium side effects?

  Side effects are physical, mental or emotional symptoms which occur in addition to or outside of the desired effect of a therapeutic treatment such as an over-the-counter or prescribed drug or medication. Side effects from Dantrium may occur at the beginning or at the end of treatment and may also depend on the length of time an individual remains on the treatment. Side effects, also known as adverse effects, are generally more likely to occur when starting treatment. Individuals may also experience side effects from Dantrium as a result of an interaction with other medications.

  Side Effects of Dantrium

  The side effects of Dantrium may vary in number and intensity for many different reasons. Factors such as age, weight, gender and ethnicity may influence the side effects of Dantrium. Also, an individual’s state of general physical health and seriousness of the disease or illness as well as an increase or decrease in dosage may lead to side effects. Further, side effects from Dantrium may also occur as a result of an interaction with certain herbal supplements, foods or drinks.

  Prescription drug side effects can be serious and may cause patients to stop the treatment. However, when side effects from the use of a prescription drug, such as Dantrium, do occur a patient should consult their physician. A physician may prescribe an additional treatment in order to control the symptoms or an adjustment in the dosage may be made. In addition, changes to diet, exercise or other lifestyle activities may help to lessen the side effects of Dantrium.

  By understanding side effects and the factors which may influence the occurrence of side effects patients are empowered to take an active role in their care. Patients who have specific questions about the side effects of Dantrium, or any other medication, should contact their physician. General information about Dantrium and the side effects associated with Dantrium are described in the following:

  Common Dantrium Side Effects

  Severe

  Less Severe

  • muscle weakness
  • drowsy
  • dizziness
  • malaise
  • fatigue

  Less Frequent Dantrium Side Effects

  Severe

  • acute confusion
  • depression
  • pleural effusions
  • respiratory depression
  • drug-induced hepatitis
  • hematuria
  • allergic dermatitis
  • pruritus of skin
  • urticaria
  • seizure disorder
  • skin rash
  • dysuria

  Less Severe

  • diplopia
  • visual changes
  • constipation
  • insomnia
  • fever
  • chills
  • anorexia
  • headache disorder
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • dysphagia
  • diarrhea
  • urinary incontinence
  • increased urinary frequency
  • abdominal pain with cramps
  • nervousness
  • dysgeusia

  Rare or Very Rare Dantrium Side Effects

  Severe

  • eosinophilia
  • pericarditis
  • jaundice
  • severe diarrhea
  • heart failure
  • anaphylaxis
  • malignant lymphoma
  • leukopenia
  • aplastic anemia
  • thrombocytopenic disorder
  • abnormal hepatic function tests
  • anemia
  • gastrointestinal hemorrhage
  • thrombophlebitis
  • extravasation injury

  Less Severe

  • acneiform eruption
  • back pain
  • hyperhidrosis
  • eye tearing
  • tachycardia
  • blood pressure abnormal
  • crystalluria
  • myalgias
  • erectile dysfunction
  • hirsutism

• Dantrium Storage

  Store at room temperature away from light, moisture, and heat. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard Dantrium when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.