DANTROLENE

Brand & Generic Names

Dantrium

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Muscle relaxant, antispastic

Uses

• Relieves muscle spasticity caused by diseases such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke.
• Relieves muscle spasticity caused by injury to spinal cord.
• Relieves or prevents excess body temperature brought on by some surgical procedures.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Capsules--Swallow with liquid.

When to take:
Once a day for muscle spasticity during first 6 days. Later, every 6 hours. For excess body temperature, follow label instructions.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Acts directly on muscles to prevent excess contractions.

Time lapse before drug works:
1 or more weeks.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Shortness of breath, bloody urine, chest pain, convulsions.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• If patient is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to- mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make patient vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take patient to nearest emergency facility.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Seizure. Seek emergency treatment immediately.

Common:

Drowsiness, dizziness, weakness.

Infrequent:

• Rash, hives; black or bloody stools; chest pain; fast heartbeat; backache; blood in urine; painful, swollen feet; chills; fever; shortness of breath.
• Depression, confusion, headache, slurred speech, insomnia, nervousness, diarrhea, blurred vision, difficult swallowing, appetite loss, difficult urination, decreased sexual function in males.

Rare:

• Jaundice, abdominal cramps, double vision.
• Constipation.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to dantrolene or any muscle relaxant or antispastic medication.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have liver disease.
• If you have heart disease.
• If you have lung disease (especially emphysema).
• If you are over age 35.
• If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
No proven harm to unborn child. Avoid if possible. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
Avoid nursing or discontinue until you finish drug. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Use only under close medical supervision.

Prolonged use:
Recommended periodically during prolonged use--Blood counts, G6PD* tests before treatment begins in Negroes and Caucasians of Mediterranean heritage, liver function studies.

Skin & sunlight:
May cause rash or intensify sunburn in areas exposed to sun or sunlamp.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.

Others:
No problems expected.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Central nervous	Increased sedation,
system (CNS)	low blood pressure.
depressants *	Avoid.
Dronabinol	Increased effect of dronabinol on
	central nervous system. Avoid.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increased sedation, low blood
	pressure. Avoid.
Beverages:	No problems expected.
Cocaine:	Increased spasticity. Avoid.
Foods:	No problems expected.
Marijuana:	Increased spasticity. Avoid.
Tobacco:	May interfere with absorption of
	medicine.