Description
Dantrium (Dantrolene) is an oral prescription muscle relaxant that reduces chronic muscle spasticity in adults and children with certain neurological conditions affecting the brain and spinal cord. This may include spinal cord injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis when symptoms negatively impact daily activities. This medication helps reduce stiffness, improve mobility, and make patients more comfortable overall. In contrast to other muscle relaxants, Dantrium uses a mechanism that directly affects skeletal muscles and blocks calcium release inside muscle cells. This reduces excessive muscle contraction.
Moreover, Dantrium may be given before anesthesia if a patient is known or suspected to be at risk of a rare, life-threatening reaction to certain anesthesia drugs, called malignant hyperthermia (MH). In this case, Dantrium helps prevent or lessen this dangerous reaction. Additionally, it may also be used after MH to prevent symptoms from recurring.
Keep in mind that Dantrium is not meant for ordinary muscle spasms or muscle pain from injuries, overuse, or rheumatic conditions. In addition, oral Dantrium is not an emergency treatment for an active malignant hyperthermia crisis, which requires IV dantrolene or a similar medication.
Directions
You can buy Dantrium as 25 mg oral capsules at Canada Pharmacy (also manufactured in 50 mg and 100 mg strengths). Always take this drug exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Your dosing schedule will depend on the cause of treatment, your response to the medication, as well as your age and body weight.
Chronic Spasticity (Adults)
Adult patients typically receive an initial low dose of Dantrium, which is slowly increased until muscle function improves sufficiently. Your doctor will normally start with 25 mg once daily for 7 days, usually followed by the same dose 3 times daily for another 7 days. Afterward, your dose will likely increase to 50 mg 3 times daily for 7 days. Finally, many patients will remain at 100 mg 3 times daily.
While some patients may require 4 daily doses, a maximum dose of 100 mg four times daily should not be exceeded. You should see symptom improvement within 45 days. If this isn’t the case, this medication may not be suitable, and your healthcare provider may stop this treatment and find another medication that better fits your needs.
Chronic Spasticity (Children)
Chronic spasticity in children is treated similarly, and the dose is increased in similar increments. However, children receive a significantly lower dose. Doctors often start by prescribing 0.5 mg/kg once daily for 7 days, before increasing the dose to 0.5 mg/kg 3 times daily. After 7 days, many pediatric patients receive 1 mg/kg 3 times daily for 7 days, then 2 mg/kg 3 times daily. Some children may require 4 daily doses for symptom improvement. Never exceed 100 mg 4 times daily.
Malignant Hyperthermia (Pre-Surgery)
When given for the prevention of malignant hyperthermia before surgery, patients usually receive 4–8 mg/kg 1-2 times daily, divided into 3 or 4 daily doses. The last dose is typically given 3-4 hours before anesthesia with a small amount of water. Treatment is usually started 1-2 days before the procedure.
Malignant Hyperthermia (Post-MH episode)
When given after a malignant hyperthermia episode and after treatment with IV dantrolene, patients typically receive 4-8 mg per kg daily. This amount is usually split into 4 daily doses and given over 1-3 days to help prevent MH symptoms from returning.
Ingredients
The active ingredient in Dantrium is dantrolene sodium.
Contraindications
Do not take Dantrium if you live with active liver disease, such as hepatitis and cirrhosis, as taking this drug increases your risk of liver damage (hepatotoxicity).
Do not take this medication if you rely on spasticity for safe, everyday movements, such as maintaining balance and posture. For example, some patients may rely on muscle stiffness to stand or walk.
Cautions
- Inform your doctor of all your medical conditions, drugs you’re taking, allergies, and pregnancy and breastfeeding status, if applicable.
- Dantrium requires ongoing medical supervision, especially when used long-term. Never start, stop, or restart this medication without your doctor’s approval and never adjust your dose on your own.
- Dantrium can affect the liver, and long-term use requires regular liver function tests, especially in female patients, people taking estrogen-containing medications, and those over 35.
- Patients with lung disease, asthma, COPD, or heart problems need extra caution when taking Dantrium, since it may impact lung or heart function. Drug interactions with calcium channel blockers, like verapamil, may cause heart-related complications, especially during treatment of malignant hyperthermia.
- Dantrium can cause drowsiness, dizziness, or muscle weakness, especially when taken in combination with sedatives, sleep aids, anxiety medications, or other central nervous system depressants. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
- Ensure regular sunscreen use and avoid excessive sun exposure while taking Dantrium, as this medication can increase sensitivity to sunlight.
- Long-term treatment in children requires close medical supervision and careful benefit-risk evaluation, as long-term safety in young patients has not been fully established.
- Your doctor will use extra caution if you take Dantrium during pregnancy and only continue treatment during this time if the benefit clearly outweighs the risk.
- Do not breastfeed while taking Dantrium, as this medication may pass into breast milk.
Side Effects
The most common & generally mild and temporary side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, generalized muscle weakness, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, and headache.
More serious but less common side effects that may require medical attention include liver problems (e.g., hepatitis), seizures, heart issues (e.g., heart failure), severe diarrhea, blood disorders (e.g., anemia, thrombocytopenia, or leukopenia), breathing problems, and severe allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis).
This is not a complete list of Dantrium side effects. Reach out to your healthcare provider if you notice any persistent or worrisome side effects of Dantrium.
Buy Dantrium medication here at Canada Pharmacy at a low cost!
IMPORTANT NOTE:
The above information is intended to increase awareness of health information and does not suggest treatment or diagnosis. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Product Code : 1976
Prescription Required
