What is dantrolene?
Dantrolene is a muscle relaxant.
Dantrolene is used to treat muscle spasticity (stiffness and spasms) caused by conditions such as a spinal cord injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, or multiple sclerosis.
Dantrolene is also used to prevent muscle stiffness and spasms caused by malignant hyperthermia (a rapid rise in body temperature) that can occur during surgery with certain types of anesthesia.
Dantrolene may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about dantrolene?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to dantrolene, or if you have liver disease such as hepatitis or cirrhosis.
You may be more likely to develop liver problems while taking dantrolene if you are a woman, or if you are older than 35. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk.
Do not use dantrolene at a time when muscle tone is needed to assure safe balance and movement for certain activities. In some situations, it may endanger your physical safety to be in a state of reduced muscle tone.
Before taking dantrolene, tell your doctor if you have a history of liver disease, a breathing disorder such as COPD, heart disease, or a history of heart attack.
Dantrolene can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Dantrolene can cause muscle weakness, which can affect your ability to swallow. Use caution to prevent choking while you are eating meals. Talk with your doctor if you are unable to eat because of this side effect.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of dantrolene.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dantrolene?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to dantrolene, or if you have liver disease such as hepatitis or cirrhosis.
You may be more likely to develop liver problems while taking dantrolene if you are a woman, or if you are older than 35. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication:
a history of liver disease;
a breathing disorder such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease); or
heart disease, or a history of heart attack.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether dantrolene is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Dantrolene can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Dantrolene should not be given to a child younger than 5 years old.