Generic Name: Metaxalone
Typical Brand Name(s): Skelaxin
What Is It Used For?
Skelaxin is a muscle relaxant. Skelaxin is used, in conjunction
with rest and physical therapy, to treat injuries and other painful
muscular conditions.
How Is It Used?
Take Skelaxin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not
understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor
to explain them to you.
Are There Possible Side Effects?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop
taking Skelaxin and seek emergency medical attention: an allergic
reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling
of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or yellow skin or eyes.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Continue to take Skelaxin and talk to your doctor if you experience
drowsiness or dizziness; headache, nervousness, or irritability;
or nausea, upset stomach, or vomiting. Side effects other than
those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any
side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Is It Safe?
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness
while you are taking Skelaxin. Use caution when driving, operating
machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Skelaxin
may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness
or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
What About Interactions With Other Drugs?
Many drugs can increase the effects of Skelaxin, which can lead
to heavy sedation. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor
if you are taking any of the following medicines: antihistamines
such as brompheniramine (Dimetane, Bromfed, others), chlorpheniramine
(Chlor-Trimeton, Teldrin, others), azatadine (Optimine), clemastine
(Tavist), and many others; narcotics (pain killers) such as meperidine
(Demerol), morphine (MS Contin, MSIR, others), propoxyphene (Darvon,
Darvocet), hydrocodone (Lorcet, Vicodin), oxycodone (Percocet,
Percodan), fentanyl (Duragesic), and codeine (Fiorinal, Fioricet,
Tylenol #3, others); sedatives such as phenobarbital (Solfoton,
Luminal), amobarbital (Amytal), and secobarbital (Seconal); phenothiazines
such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine
(Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine),
thioridazine (Mellaril), and trifluoperazine (Stelazine); or antidepressants
such as doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline
(Pamelor), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline
(Zoloft), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Skelaxin.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any prescription
or over-the-counter medicines.
What If I Miss A Dose?
If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered within 1 hour.
Otherwise skip that dose and resume usual dosing schedule. Do
not "double-up" the dose to catch up.
How Should It Be Stored?
Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between
15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store
in the bathroom.
Anything Else I Should Know?
Skelaxin is a muscle relaxant. It works by blocking nerve impulses
(or pain sensations) that are sent to your brain. Skelaxin is
used, along with rest and physical therapy, to treat injuries
and other painful muscular conditions.
NOTE: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute
for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist,
or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to
indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or
effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before
taking the product.
