- Surprising Reasons You're in Pain Slideshow
- Take the Pain Quiz
- Joint-Friendly Exercises to Reduce RA Pain Slideshow
- What is orphenadrine-oral, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
- What brand names are available for orphenadrine-oral?
- Is orphenadrine-oral available as a generic drug?
- Do I need a prescription for orphenadrine-oral?
- What are the side effects of orphenadrine-oral?
- What is the dosage for orphenadrine-oral?
- Which drugs or supplements interact with orphenadrine-oral?
- Is orphenadrine-oral safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
- What else should I know about orphenadrine-oral?
What is orphenadrine-oral, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
Orphenadrine is an oral central acting skeletal muscle relaxant that is used for the treatment of acute muscle aches, pain, or spasms. The exact mechanism of action in relieving muscuar aches or spasms is not completely understood. Orphenadrine may reduce muscle spasms through actions on motor centers or the medulla in the brain. Orphenadrine does not seem to have any direct relaxant effects on skeletal muscle.
Orphenadrine is structurally related to the antihistamine diphenhydramine (Benadryl), however, its antihistamine activity is less than that of diphenhydramine. Orphenadrine also has some local anesthetic effects. The FDA approved Orphenadrine in 1959.
What are the side effects of orphenadrine-oral?
Side effects of orphenadrine include:
- increased heart rate,
- itching,
- dizziness,
- drowsiness,
- headache,
- confusion,
- urinary retention,
- constipation,
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- dry mouth,
- dry eyes,
- upset stomach,
- weakness, and
- nasal congestion.
Rare but serious side effects include aplastic anemia and life threatening allergic reactions.
Quick GuideChronic Pain Syndrome: Treatment and Management for CPS
What is the dosage for orphenadrine-oral?
The recommended dose is one 100 mg tablet by mouth twice daily in the morning and evening.
Which drugs or supplements interact with orphenadrine-oral?
: Orphenadrine may cause an increase in blood levels of dofetilide (Tikosyn) by decreasing its breakdown and elimination by the liver.
Orphenadrine may cause drowsiness. Taking orphenadrine with other drugs that have similar CNS depressant effects may increase the CNS depressant effects of orphenadrine.
Orphenadrine may cause anticholingeric side effects such as:
- dry mouth,
- dry eyes,
- constipation,
- confusion, and
- decreased urinary frequency.
Taking medications that also have anticholingeric effects increases the anticholinergic effect of orphenadrine.
Is orphenadrine-oral safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
It is not known whether orphenadrine is secreted into breast milk. Orphenadrine should be avoided in pregnancy if possible.
What else should I know about orphenadrine-oral?
What preparations of orphenadrine-oral are available?
- Orphenadrine citrate tablets: 100 mg extended release
- Orphenadrine citrate solution for injection: 30 mg/ml
How should I keep orphenadrine-oral stored?
Tablets should be stored at room temperature, between 15 C and 30 C (59 F and 86 F).
Summary
Orphenadrine (The brand Norflex has been discontinued in the US) is a prescription drug used to treat acute muscle aches, pains, or spasms. Side effects, drug interactions, warnings, precautions, dosing, storage, pregnancy, and breastfeeding safety information is included.
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
-
Pain Quiz: Test Your IQ of Pain
Is pain all in the brain? Take the Pain Quiz to learn everything you've ever wanted to know about the unpleasant sensation we...
-
Chronic Pain Syndrome: Treatment and Management for CPS
What is chronic pain syndrome (CPS)? See causes, symptoms and treatment options including medications. Learn about pain...
-
How Does Acupuncture Work? Benefits, Needles, Definition
What is acupuncture? How does acupuncture work? Does acupuncture hurt? Learn various acupuncture points, the definition of...
Related Disease Conditions
-
Lower Back Pain
There are many causes of back pain. Pain in the low back can relate to the bony lumbar spine, discs between the vertebrae,...
-
Muscle Cramps
Muscle cramps are involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscles that do not relax. Extremely common, any muscles that have...
-
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is pain (an unpleasant sense of discomfort) that persists or progresses over a long period of time. In contrast to...
-
Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Myofascial pain syndrome is muscle pain in the body's soft tissues due to injury or strain. Symptoms include muscle pain with...
-
Pain Management
Pain management and treatment can be simple or complex, according to its cause. There are two basic types of pain, nociceptive...
-
Muscle Spasms
Muscle spasms are involuntary muscle contractions that come on suddenly and are usually quite painful. Dehydration, doing...
Treatment & Diagnosis
Medications & Supplements
Daily Health News
More Health News »Trending on MedicineNet
From 
Pain Management Resources
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Subscribe to MedicineNet's General Health Newsletter
By clicking Submit, I agree to the MedicineNet's Terms & Conditions & Privacy Policy and understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet's subscriptions at any time.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Top orphenadrine-oral Related Articles
Analgesics, Antipyretics
Over-the-counter pain medication and fever reducers include aspirin, acetaminophen and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Side effects, drug interactions, warnings and precautions, pregnancy and breastfeeding safety, and patient information should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.anticholinergics-antispasmodics-oral
Anticholinergic or antispasmodic (generic name) drugs include prescription medications used to treat a variety of medical conditions like:
- muscle spasms,
- breathing problems,
- movement disorders,
- nausea,
- diarrhea,
- motion sickness,
- and gastrointestinal cramps.
Examples of anticholinergic (antispasmodic) drugs include:
- Parkinson's disease medications,
- Benadryl, antipsychotics,
- Thorazine,
- Seroquel,
- belladona,
- Bentyl,
- and Levsin.
Examples of anticholinergic drugs for overactive bladder include:
- Ditropan,
- Enablex,
- Vesicare,
- Toviaz,
- Detrol,
- and Sanctura.
Examples of anticholinergic antidepressant medications include:
- Endep,
- Pamelor,
- Anafranil,
- and Norpranmin.
Examples of anticholinergic muscle relaxants include:
- Flexeril,
- Soma,
- Robaxin,
- and Norflex.
Anticholinergic motion sickness medications include:
- atropine,
- belladonna,
- Bentyl,
- Phenergan,
- Imodium,
- and respiratory medications.
Anticholinergic drug side effects, drug interactions, storage, dosing, and pregnancy and safety information should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is pain (an unpleasant sense of discomfort) that persists or progresses over a long period of time. In contrast to acute pain that arises suddenly in response to a specific injury and is usually treatable, chronic pain persists over time and is often resistant to medical treatments.Chronic Pain Syndrome
What is chronic pain syndrome (CPS)? See causes, symptoms and treatment options including medications. Learn about pain management tips such as strength training, biofeedback, and yoga, as well as forms of chronic pain such as lower back pain, arthritis, migraines, and more.Low Back Pain
There are many causes of back pain. Pain in the low back can relate to the bony lumbar spine, discs between the vertebrae, ligaments around the spine and discs, spinal cord and nerves, muscles of the low back, internal organs of the pelvis and abdomen, and the skin covering the lumbar area.Muscle Cramps
Muscle cramps are involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscles that do not relax. Extremely common, any muscles that have voluntary control, including some organs, are subject to cramp. Since there is such variety in the types of muscle cramps that can occur, many causes and preventative medications are known. Stretching is the most common way to stop or prevent most muscle cramps.Muscle Pain
Myofascial pain syndrome is muscle pain in the body's soft tissues due to injury or strain. Symptoms include muscle pain with tender points and fatigue. Treatment usually involves physical therapy, massage therapy, or trigger point injection.Muscle Spasms
Muscle spasms are involuntary muscle contractions that come on suddenly and are usually quite painful. Dehydration, doing strenuous exercise in a hot environment, prolonged muscle use, and certain diseases of the nervous system may cause muscle spasms. Symptoms and signs of a muscle spasm include an acute onset of pain and a possible bulge seen or felt beneath the skin where the muscle is located. Gently stretching the muscle usually resolves a muscle spasm.Pain Management
Pain management and treatment can be simple or complex, according to its cause. There are two basic types of pain, nociceptive pain and neuropathic pain. Some causes of neuropathic pain include:- complex regional pain syndrome,
- interstitial cystitis,
- and irritable bowel syndrome.
Take the Pain Quiz
Is pain all in the brain? Take the Pain Quiz to learn everything you've ever wanted to know about the unpleasant sensation we call pain.How Does Acupuncture Work?
What is acupuncture? How does acupuncture work? Does acupuncture hurt? Learn various acupuncture points, the definition of acupuncture, the benefits of acupuncture and its drawbacks. Discover whether acupuncture can effectively treat fertility, back pain, nausea, smoking problems and more.
