Does Skelaxin (metaxalone) cause side effects?
Skelaxin (metaxalone) is a skeletal muscle relaxer used as an adjunct to physical therapy to treat short-term painful muscle and skeletal conditions.
Skelaxin does not act directly on skeletal muscle, and the exact mechanism of action of Skelaxin is unknown. Skelaxin relaxes muscles possibly by affecting the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and by causing sedation.
Common side effects of Skelaxin include
- drowsiness,
- dizziness,
- headache,
- nervousness,
- irritability,
- nausea,
- vomiting, and
- upset stomach.
Serious side effects of Skelaxin include
No important drug interactions have been described with Skelaxin. Skelaxin may increase the sedative effects of alcohol and drugs that cause sedation, for example, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and opioids.
Skelaxin has not been adequately studied in pregnant women.
It is unknown if Skelaxin is excreted in breast milk. Safety for use in nursing mothers has not been established. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
What are the important side effects of Skelaxin (metaxalone)?
The most common side effects with metaxalone are:
- drowsiness,
- dizziness,
- headache,
- nervousness,
- irritability,
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- and upset stomach.
Other important, but less common, side effects include:
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
Skelaxin (metaxalone) side effects list for healthcare professionals
The most frequent reactions to metaxalone include:
CNS: drowsiness, dizziness, headache, and nervousness or “irritability”;
Digestive: nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal upset.
Other adverse reactions are:
Immune System: hypersensitivity reaction, rash with or without pruritus;
Hematologic: leukopenia; hemolytic anemia;
Hepatobiliary: jaundice.
Though rare, anaphylactoid reactions have been reported with metaxalone.
Summary
Skelaxin (metaxalone) is a skeletal muscle relaxer used as an adjunct to physical therapy to treat short-term painful muscle and skeletal conditions. Common side effects of Skelaxin include drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nervousness, irritability, nausea, vomiting, and upset stomach. Skelaxin has not been adequately studied in pregnant women. It is unknown if Skelaxin is excreted in breast milk.
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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.
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Medications & Supplements
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.
Professional side effects and drug interactions sections courtesy of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.