Dantrium (Oral)
Generic name:dantrolene (oral route) [ DAN-troe-leen ]
Drug class:Skeletal muscle relaxants
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 21, 2022.
Dantrolene may cause hepatotoxicity, and symptomatic hepatitis (fatal and nonfatal) has been reported at various dose levels. Risk of hepatic injury appears to be greater in patients taking a higher dosage, in females, in patients older than 35 years, and in patients taking additional medication(s). Monitor hepatic function, including frequent determination of SGOT or SGPT, during therapy. Discontinue therapy after 45 days if there is no observable benefit .
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Dantrium
Available Dosage Forms:
- Capsule
Therapeutic Class: Skeletal Muscle Relaxant, Direct Acting
Uses for Dantrium
Dantrolene is used to help relax certain muscles in your body. It relieves the spasms, cramping, and tightness of muscles caused by certain medical problems such as multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy, stroke, or injury to the spine. Dantrolene does not cure these problems, but it may allow other treatment, such as physical therapy, to be more helpful in improving your condition. Dantrolene acts directly on the muscles to produce its relaxant effects.
Dantrolene is also used to prevent or treat a medical problem called malignant hyperthermia that may occur in some patients during or following surgery or anesthesia. Malignant hyperthermia consists of a group of symptoms including very high fever, fast and irregular heartbeat, and breathing problems. It is believed that the tendency to develop malignant hyperthermia is inherited.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using Dantrium
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of dantrolene in children below 5 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of dantrolene in geriatric patients.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be nec..
