Dantrium

The usual starting dose for adults is 25 mg once daily. The dose is then increased gradually until the best dose is found, based on individual response and needs. The best dose is the lowest dose that will control muscle spasms. Most people respond to doses of 400 mg daily (given in divided doses, usually as 100 mg 4 times daily) or less.

Children's dosing is based on body weight. Children should not be given doses higher than 100 mg 4 times daily.

The dose for the injectable form of Dantrium (Dantrolene) is based on body weight.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to use Dantrium (Dantrolene) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, administer it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not administer a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Dantrium (Dantrolene) at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause diarrhea; it may cause drowsiness or dizziness - use caution when getting up from a lying or sitting position and use caution if driving; it may cause unusual tiredness; it may cause muscle weakness; it may cause nausea and vomiting; it may make your skin more sensitive to UV rays (e.g., sunlight, tanning lamps) - avoid exposure to UV rays as much as possible and protect yourself when out in the sun. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

Capsules

25 mg
Each opaque orange and brown capsule (opaque orange cap and opaque light tan-to-brown body), coded with 1 black bar and "DANTRIUM 25 mg 0149 0030", contains 25 mg of Dantrium (Dantrolene) sodium. Nonmedicinal ingredients: edible black ink, gelatin, iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, lactose, magnesium stearate, starch, talc, and titanium dioxide.

Intravenous

Each vial contains a sterile lyophilized mixture of 20 mg of Dantrium (Dantrolene) sodium, 3,000 mg of mannitol, and sufficient sodium hydroxide to yield a pH of approximately 9.5 when reconstituted.

Do not take Dantrium (Dantrolene) if you:

• are allergic to Dantrium (Dantrolene) or to any of the ingredients of the medication
• have a particular type of muscle spasm (one that, in the doctor's opinion, may actually help increase or maintain your ability to function)
• have active liver disease (such as hepatitis or cirrhosis)
• have poor lung function (such as obstructive pulmonary disease)

There may be an interaction between Dantrium (Dantrolene) and any of the following:

• alcohol
• antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, doxylamine, Diphenhydramine, Hydroxyzine, Loratadine)
• antipsychotics (e.g., Chlorpromazine, Clozapine, Haloperidol, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• Apalutamide
• benzodiazepines (e.g., Alprazolam, Diazepam, Lorazepam)
• Bosentan
• brimonidine
• Buspirone
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Verapamil)
• cannabis
• chloral hydrate
• Dabrafenib
• Deferasirox
• Dexamethasone
• efavirenz
• Enzalutamide
• estrogens (e.g., conjugated estrogen, Estradiol, ethinyl estradiol)
• etravirine
• Methadone
• Mirtazapine
• Mitotane
• Modafinil
• muscle relaxants (e.g., Baclofen, Cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, orphenadrine)
• Nabilone
• narcotic pain relievers (e.g., Codeine, Fentanyl, Morphine, Oxycodone)
• Pramipexole
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• Ropinirole
• Rotigotine
• St. John's wort
• scopolamine
• seizure medications (e.g., Carbamazepine, Clobazam, Levetiracetam, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, primidone, Topiramate, Valproic acid, zonisamide)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• siltuximab
• sodium oxybate
• Tapentadol
• thalidomide
• Tocilizumab
• Tramadol
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Clomipramine, Desipramine, Imipramine)
• Zolpidem
• Zopiclone

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Dantrium (Dantrolene). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Dantrium (Dantrolene).

Cancer: The potential for Dantrium (Dantrolene) to cause cancer in humans cannot be ruled out. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Dantrium (Dantrolene) may temporarily cause drowsiness, which may impair your ability to drive or operate machinery. These effects should only last about a week. Avoid hazardous tasks for the first week of treatment.

Heart function: If you have heart disease, you should be monitored closely by your doctor while taking Dantrium (Dantrolene).

Liver injury: Dantrium (Dantrolene) capsules may be toxic to the liver, or worsen existing liver damage. The risk of liver injury is greater for women, people over 30 years old, people taking other medications, and people taking other therapies that may cause liver damage. If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.

If you have liver disease, talk to your doctor about whether you should use Dantrium (Dantrolene). People using Dantrium (Dantrolene) will likely have liver tests before and during use.

Lung function: If you have impaired lung function, you should be monitored closely by your doctor while taking Dantrium (Dantrolene)

Muscle weakness: Some people taking Dantrium (Dantrolene) feel excessively weak as long as they are taking the medication. These people may not be able to use rehabilitation devices such as crutches, wheelchairs, braces, walkers, or canes. If you use any of these devices and experience persistent weakness that interferes with the use of these devices, you should talk to your doctor. You may have to stop taking Dantrium (Dantrolene).

Pregnancy: Dantrium (Dantrolene) should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Dantrium (Dantrolene), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Dantrium (Dantrolene) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Dantrium (Dantrolene), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Dantrium (Dantrolene) have not been established for children under 5 years old.

This medication is typically used 4 times a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Take it regularly and continuously to maintain its beneficial effects. Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember -- unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose. Do not double the next dose to catch up. This medication may be taken with or without food. Consuming alcohol may intensify the effect of this product. It is therefore advisable to avoid consuming alcohol or alcohol-containing products while taking this medication.