ORPHENADRINE

Brand & Generic Names

Banflex	Myotrol
Blanex	Neocyten
Disipal	Noradex
Flexagin	Norflex
Flexain	O-Flex
Flexoject	Orflagen
Flexon	Orfro
K-Flex	Orphenate
Marflex	Tega-Flex
Myolin

Basic Information

• Habit forming? Possibly
• Prescription needed? U.S.: Yes Canada: No
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Muscle relaxant, anticholinergic, antihistamine, antiparkinsonism

Uses

• Reduces discomfort of muscle strain.
• Relieves symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
• Adjunctive treatment to rest, analgesics and physical therapy for muscle spasms.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet or extended-release tablet--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
At the same times each day.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 6 hours late. If more than 6 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Sedative and analgesic effects reduce spasm and pain in skeletal muscles.

Time lapse before drug works:
1 to 2 hours.

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

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Fainting, confusion, blurred vision, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, decreased urination, widely dilated pupils, rapid heartbeat, rapid pulse, paralysis, convulsions, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Extreme weakness; Seek emergency transient paralysis; treatment immediately. temporary loss of vision; hives, rash, intense itching, faintness soon after a dose (anaphylaxis).

Common:

None expected.

Infrequent:

• Weakness, headache, dizziness, agitation, drowsiness, tremor, confusion, rapid or pounding heartbeat, depression, hearing loss.
• Dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, constipation, urinary hesitancy or retention, abdominal pain, muscle weakness.

Rare:

Rash, itchy skin, blurred vision, hallucinations.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to orphenadrine.
• You are allergic to tartrazine dye.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have glaucoma.
• If you have myasthenia gravis.
• If you have difficulty emptying bladder.
• If you have had heart disease or heart rhythm disturbance.
• If you have had a peptic ulcer.
• If you have prostate enlargement.

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

Pregnancy:
Safety not established. Avoid if possible.

Breast-feeding:
No proven problems. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Not recommended for children younger than 12.

Prolonged use:

• Increased internal eye pressure.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check complete blood counts (white blood cell count, platelet count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit), liver function, kidney function.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

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:
May be unnecessary to finish medicine. Follow doctor's instructions.

Others:
No problems expected.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Anticholinergics*	Increased anticholinergic effect.
Antidepressants,	Increased sedation.
Antihistamines*	Increased sedation.
Attapulgite	Decreased orphenadrine effect.
Carteolol	Decreased antihistamine effect.
Chlorpromazine	Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Contraceptives*,	Decreased contraceptive
oral	effect.
Griseofulvin	Decreased griseofulvin effect.
Levodopa	Increased effect of levodopa.
	(Improves effectiveness in treating
	Parkinson's disease.)
Nabilone	Greater depression of central
	nervous system.
Nitrates*	Increased internal eye pressure.
Nizatidine	Increased nizatidine effect.
Phenylbutazone	Decreased phenylbutazone effect.
Potassium	Increased possibility
supplements*	of intestinal ulcers with oral
	potassium tablets.
Propoxyphene	Possible confusion, nervousness,
	tremors.
Sotalol	Increased antihistamine effect.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increased drowsiness. Avoid.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	Decreased orphenadrine effect.
	Avoid.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	Increased drowsiness, mouth
	dryness, muscle weakness, fainting.
Tobacco:	None expected.