Dantrolene: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Functions & Usage

What is the drug Dantrolene used for?

Dantrolene is a drug to treat muscle tightness, spasms, and cramps due to certain neurological disorders such as spinal cord injuries, strokes, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis. Dantrolene is a drug that belongs to the muscle relaxant class. This drug works by relaxing the muscles. Dantrolene helps reduce muscle soreness and stiffness, improves your ability to move and helps you carry out your daily activities.

Dantrolene is also used with other medications to prevent or treat special cases of high fever (malignant hyperthermia) associated with anesthesia and surgery. This medication may also be used to treat certain common conditions (malignant neuroleptic syndrome) involving muscle rigidity, fever, and a fast heartbeat caused by psychiatric drugs.

How do you use the drug Dantrolene?

Follow the medication instructions given by your doctor or pharmacist before you start using this medicine. If you have questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication as directed by your doctor. For long-term treatment of muscle tightness / spasms, your doctor may slowly increase your dose to prevent side effects until a dose is right for you. The manufacturer recommends that you shouldn't use more than 400 milligrams per day.

Dosage is based on medical condition, response to treatment, and in some severe cases. For prevention and treatment of malignant hyperthermia, treatment lasts for several days.

Use this remedy regularly to get its benefits. To help you remember, use it at the same time every day.

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store Dantrolene?

Dantrolene is a drug that should be stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for a doctor's prescription. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of Dantrolene for adults?

To treat malignant hyperthermia, the dosage of dantrolene is:

• 2.5 mg / kg by infusion given about 75 minutes before anesthesia. The medicine can be given for about more than 1 hour.
• 4-8 mg / kg / day orally divided into 3-4 doses and taken 1-2 days before surgery. The final dose is given about 3-4 hours before scheduled surgery.

The dosage of this drug will differ depending on the patient's age, medical condition, and medical history. Please consult a doctor for more information.

What is the dosage of Dantrolene for children?

To treat malignant hyperthermia in children, the dosage of dantrolene is:

• 2.5 mg / kg by infusion given about 75 minutes before anesthesia. The medicine can be given for about more than 1 hour.
• 4-8 mg / kg / day orally divided into 3-4 doses and taken 1-2 days before surgery. The final dose is given about 3-4 hours before scheduled surgery.

The dosage of this drug will differ depending on the patient's age, medical condition, and medical history. Please consult a doctor for more information.

In what dosages and preparations is Dantrolene available?

The availability of the drug dantrolene is 25 mg and 50 mg capsules.

Side effects

What are the possible Dantrolene side effects?

Some of the side effects that may occur from using the drug dantrolene are:

• Sleepy
• Feeling weak, lethargic, and not feeling energized
• Dizzy
• Headache
• Mild diarrhea or constipation
• Mild nausea
• Gag
• Stomach ache
• Problems with talking, balance, or walking
• Vision problems
• Sleep problems (insomnia)
• Continuous sweating
• Urinating frequently

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug Interactions

What drugs can interfere with the drug Dantrolene?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval

Using this medication with any of the following medicines is not usually recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or adjust how often you use one or both drugs.

• Adinazolam
• Alfentanil
• Alprazolam
• Amlodipine
• Amobarbital
• Anileridine
• Aprobarbital
• Bromazepam
• Brotizolam
• Butabarbital
• Butalbital
• Carisoprodol
• Chloral Hydrate
• Chlordiazepoxide
• Chlorzoxazone
• Cinnarizine
• Clevidipine
• Clobazam
• Clonazepam
• Clorazepate
• Codeine
• Dantrolene
• Diazepam
• Diltiazem
• Estazolam
• Ethchlorvynol
• Felodipine
• Flunitrazepam
• Flurazepam
• Halazepam
• Hydrocodone
• Hydromorphone
• Isradipine
• Ketazolam
• Levorphanol
• Lorazepam
• Lormetazepam
• Medazepam
• Meperidine
• Mephenesin
• Mephobarbital
• Meprobamate
• Metaxalone
• Methocarbamol
• Methohexital
• Methotrexate
• Midazolam
• Nicardipine
• Nifedipine
• Nimodipine
• Nisoldipine
• Nitrazepam
• Nordazepam
• Oxazepam
• Pentobarbital
• Phenobarbital
• Prazepam
• Primidone
• Propoxyphene
• Quazepam
• Remifentanil
• Secobarbital
• Sodium Oxybate
• Sufentanil
• Temazepam
• Thiopental
• Triazolam
• Verapamil

Can certain foods and drinks interfere with the work of the drug Dantrolene?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interfere with the performance of the drug Dantrolene?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Some of the health conditions that may interact with the drug dantrolene are:

• Heart disease
• Liver disease
• Lung disease (eg, emphysema, asthma, bronchitis)
• Muscle spasms caused by rheumatic disorders

Precautions & Warnings

What should be considered before using the drug Dantrolene?

Some things that you should pay attention to before using dantrolene drugs are:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to this or any other medicine.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking or will use especially diazepam (Valium), estrogens, drugs for seizures, allergies, colds or coughs, sedatives, sleeping pills, sedatives, and vitamins.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver, heart disease, rheumatism, or lung disease.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using dantrolen, contact your doctor immediately.
• You should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Don't drive a car or operate machinery until you know how dantrolene affects you.
• Note that alcohol can increase the drowsiness caused by this drug
• You should plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged sun exposure and wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Dantrolene can make your skin sensitive to sunlight

Is the drug Dantrolene safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States, or the equivalent of the Indonesian Food and Drug Administration Agency in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Overdose

What to do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I forget to take medicine or forget to take medicine?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment.