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dantrolene - oral, Dantrium

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GENERIC NAME: DANTROLENE - ORAL (DAN-trow-leen)

BRAND NAME(S): Dantrium

Warning | Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

WARNING: Infrequently, dantrolene may cause very serious (possibly fatal) liver problems. The risk is greater if you use high doses of dantrolene (over 400-800 milligrams per day), or are female, older than 35 years, or taking other medications. Signs of liver problems usually appear between 3-12 months of treatment. To reduce your risk of this side effect, you should have regular liver tests checked by your doctor. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any of the following symptoms of liver disease: persistent nausea/vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin, unusual tiredness.

To further reduce your risk of side effects, do not increase your dose or take it more often or for longer than prescribed. The lowest effective dose should be used. The manufacturer recommends that if your condition does not improve after 45 days of treatment, your doctor must be notified and dantrolene should be stopped.

USES: This medication is used to treat muscle tightness and cramping (spasms) caused by certain nerve disorders such as spinal cord injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis. It works by relaxing the muscles. Dantrolene helps reduce muscle pain and stiffness, improves your ability to move around, and lets you do more of your daily activities.Dantrolene is also used with other treatments to prevent or treat special cases of high fever (malignant hyperthermia) related to anesthesia and surgery.OTHER This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.This drug may also be used to treat a certain uncommon condition (neuroleptic malignant syndrome) involving muscle stiffness, fever, and fast heartbeat caused by psychiatric medications.

HOW TO USE: See also Warning section.Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor. For the treatment of long-term muscle tightness/spasms, your doctor may slowly increase your dose to lower your chance of side effects until the right dose for you is determined. The manufacturer recommends that you do not take more than 400 milligrams per day.Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to therapy, and in some cases weight. For the prevention and treatment of malignant hyperthermia, treatment lasts for several days.Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.

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