Skelaxin (Metaxalone)

Description

Skelaxin is a trade name for the muscle relaxant metaxalone.

 

 

 

Drug Information

 

Skelaxin is a drug that uses metaxalone as the main ingredient in its chemical makeup. It is a muscle relaxant type of medication that blocks off impulses transmitted by nerves to the brain.

 

It is used in conjunction with physical therapy and a rest schedule to treat the symptoms of muscle conditions caused by pain and injury during exercise.

 

Precautions

 

Do not use Skelaxin if you have a history of anemia and other blood disorders. Anemia is a condition in which you have lower amounts of red blood cells in your blood.

 

Do not use this drug if you have a personal or family history of liver disease and renal conditions. In order to take this drug, you may need to run a number of tests.

 

Some side effects of taking Skelaxin include the impairment of thought processes and your reaction time. Do not drive if you are currently taking the medication.

 

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine. It can cause the risk of some of the side effects to increase to a major level and put you in danger.

 

Do not take Skelaxin if you are allergic to any of the ingredients contained in it, or if you have severe hepatic, renal or blood diseases like anemia.

 

The effects that this drug may have on unborn children is currently unknown, so make sure you tell your doctor if you are or plan on becoming pregnant while taking this medication.

 

The tendency of the metaxalone to pass into breast milk is unknown, nor is it known whether babies are harmed by it through nursing. Talk to a doctor before taking it if you are a nursing mother.

 

Dosage

 

Always take this medication in the exact same way that you were prescribed it. Remember to follow all of the directives your doctor has given you in your prescription.

 

Never take Skelaxin in larger doses than you have been told to, or in smaller ones. Do not take it for a longer period of time than has been recommended for you.

 

Certain lab tests of your blood and other fluids may return abnormal results due to Skelaxin. Make sure you tell the lab staff and doctors that you are currently taking this medication.

 

This is considered as only one part of a complete pain relief and recovery regimen that also involves rest and physical therapy as well as other measures.

 

If you remember that you have missed a dose of Skelaxin, take it as soon as you remember. If you are about to take the next dose of the drug, ignore the one you missed.

 

Never take extra doses to make up for a missed dose. An overdose of this drug can be fatal. Call your local emergency services immediately if you overdose.

 

Side Effects

 

Common side effects include:

 

 Dizziness
 Drowsiness
 Nausea and vomiting
 Headaches
 Irritability
 More severe side effects include:
 Weakness
 Shallow breath
 Lightheadedness
 Jaundice
 Abdominal pain

 

Call your doctor as soon as possible if you experience these side effects.

 

Interactions

 

 Do not drink alcohol while you are on Skelaxin. This could react and cause death or severe side effects.

 

 Do not take Skelaxin with sleeping pills, pain meds, other muscle relaxants and antidepressants.