Metaxalone
About
Metaxalone belongs to a class of medications called muscle relaxants. It is primarily used to treat painful spasms of the skeletal muscles. Muscle spasm is the sudden uncontrolled contractions of the muscle, which can be painful and uncomfortable. When the nerve impulses that control the movement of muscles are damaged or interrupted, it could lead to muscle spasms.
Metaxalone contains metaxalone which is a muscle relaxant. Metaxalone works by blocking the nerve impulses and pain sensations in the brain, thereby help in maintaining muscle strength and relieving muscle spasms or stiffness. Metaxalone helps in relieving pain and movement due to muscle spasms.
Take Metaxalone as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Metaxalone for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical conditions. You may experience dizziness, sleepiness, upset stomach, and dryness in the mouth. Most of these side effects of Metaxalone do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Metaxalone should not be taken in the conditions like liver disease and kidney disease. Before taking Metaxalone inform your doctor if you are allergic to Metaxalone and any other ingredients present in this. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Metaxalone may cause drowsiness and dizziness, so drive with caution. Metaxalone should not be given to children under 12 years as safety and efficacy have not been established. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Metaxalone as it could lead to an increased risk of side effects.
Uses of Metaxalone
Medicinal Benefits
Metaxalone contains metaxalone which is a muscle relaxant, is used with physical therapy, rest, and other actions to relax muscles and relieve pain and discomfort produced by sprains, strains, and other muscle injuries. It is used to treat painful spasms of the skeletal muscles. Metaxalone works on the centers in the spinal cord and brain to relieve spasm or muscle stiffness without a decrease in strength. Therefore, help in maintaining muscle strength and relieves muscle spasms or stiffness. This improves movement and pain of muscles.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Metaxalone
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Dryness in mouth
- Stomach upset
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Metaxalone if you are allergic to Metaxalone and any part of Metaxalone. Before taking Metaxalone inform your doctor if you ever had liver disease, kidney disease, and fits. Metaxalone should not be taken if you have a blood disorder (anemia). Inform your doctor about which glucose tests are best to use if you have high blood sugar (diabetes). Metaxalone should not be taken more than what your doctor expressed you to take. Taking more than you are told may increase your chance of very bad side effects. Metaxalone causes drowsiness and dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Metaxalone as it could lead to increased drowsiness. Metaxalone should not be given to children as safety has not been established. Metaxalone should be taken with care in more than 65 years of patients as it can lead to more side effects. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Metaxalone may have interaction with pain killers (aspirin, ibuprofen, tramadol, pentazocine, paracetamol), antidepressants (duloxetine, escitalopram, sertraline), medicines for cough (dextromethorphan), antiallergic (chlorpheniramine).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking Metaxalone as it might cause increased dizziness.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Metaxalone may have interactions with anemia (blood disorder), kidney and liver disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Metaxalone as it may increase drowsiness and other side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionAvoid taking Metaxalone if you are pregnant unless prescribed by a doctor. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this, your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known if Metaxalone passes into the breastmilk, so it is not safe to breastfeed while taking Metaxalone. Consult your doctor before taking Metaxalone; your doctor will decide whether Metaxalone can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Driving
cautionMetaxalone may cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are alert.
Liver
unsafeMetaxalone should not be used in liver patients as it is contraindicated in liver patients. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
unsafeMetaxalone should not be used in kidney patients as it is contraindicated in kidney patients. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeMetaxalone should not be given to children below 12 years as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Exercising regularly helps in muscle stretching so that they are less likely to spasm, tear and sprain. Mild exercises such as jogging and walking are helpful for muscle stretching.
- Massages can also be helpful.
- Avoid freezing and hot temperatures.
- Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes, instead, wear loose garments.
- Rest well, and get plenty of sleep.
- To avoid developing pressure sores, change your position at least every two hours.
- Hot or cold therapy can help treat muscle spasms. Apply an ice pack or hot pack on the muscle for 15-20minutes.
- Stay hydrated, drink plenty of water.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Muscle spasm is the sudden involuntary contractions of the muscle, which can be painful and uncomfortable. When the nerve impulses that control the movement of muscles are damaged or interrupted, it could lead to muscle spasms. Symptoms include muscle tightness, joint stiffness, unusual posture, difficulty in moving, pain in affected muscles and joints. Fatigue (weakness), stress, extreme heat or cold, infection and tight clothing can trigger muscle spasms. Muscle relaxants and exercise can treat muscle spasms. Muscle relaxants sedate the muscle and help in inhibiting painful contractions. Whereas exercise helps in muscle stretching so that they are less likely to spasm, tear and sprain.
FAQs
Metaxalone interacts with ibuprofen and may enhance side effects such as drowsiness. Always inform your doctor for the change of dose or an alternative drug of choice that may strictly be needed.
Metaxalone may impair mental and/or physical abilities required for the performance of heavy tasks like operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle, especially when used with alcohol or other CNS depressants (sleeping pills or antianxiety pills).
The most common side effects related to Metaxalone include upset stomach, dizziness, sleepiness and dryness in the mouth. However, these effects are not seen in all patients. If you are concerned about them or they do not go away, inform your doctor know.
