Indication

Muscle tightness, muscle cramping (spasms), muscle pain caused by spinal cord injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis.

Administration

May be taken with or without food.

Adult Dose

Oral\r\nSpasticity\r\nAdult: Initially, 25 mg daily increased gradually at 7-day intervals over 7 wk. Discontinue if no response after 45 days of treatment. Max: 100 mg 4 times daily. \r\n

Child Dose

Oral\r\nSpasticity\r\nChild: Initially, 0.5 mg/kg once daily, may increase gradually to 2 mg/kg 3-4 times daily. Max: 100 mg 4 times daily.

Contraindication

Active liver disease; acute muscle spasm; patients who use their spasticity to maintain posture or function. Lactation.

Mode of Action

Dantrolene has a direct action on skeletal muscle. It uncouples muscular contraction from excitation, probably by interfering with calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Precaution

Perform LFTs before and during treatment. Increased risk of liver injury in patients >30 yr, female patients especially those on oestrogen therapy, history of liver disease or patients with daily dose >400 mg. Cardiac or pulmonary disorders. Pregnancy.\r\n\r\nLactation: enters breast milk/not recommended

Side Effect

Fatigue, muscle weakness/pain. GI disturbances, CNS effects, tachycardia, unstable BP, dyspnoea, drowsiness, rashes, pruritus, chills and fever, visual disturbances, dysphagia, speech disturbances; haematuria, crystalluria, urinary frequency, retention and incontinence. Increased serum AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase, LDH, BUN, and total serum bilirubin concentrations, Difficult erection, Abnormal hair growth, Aplastic anemia, Anemia, Leukopenia, Lymphoma, Thrombocytopenia\r\n\r\nPotentially Fatal: Hepatotoxicity, pleural effusion with pericarditis.

Pregnancy Category Note

Pregnancy Category: C\r\n\r\nLactation: enters breast milk/not recommended

Interaction

CNS depressants; oestrogens; calcium-channel blockers. CNS effects enhanced by alcohol or CNS depressants.