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What is the most important information I should know about dantrolene?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Dantrolene may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking dantrolene.

Weakness in grip, leg muscles, and swallowing may occur. Use caution, especially when climbing stairs and eating meals.

What is dantrolene?

Dantrolene is a muscle relaxant. It works by directly affecting the ability of your muscles to contract (stiffen).

Dantrolene is used to treat muscle spasticity (stiffness and spasms) caused by conditions such as a spinal cord injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, or multiple sclerosis.

Dantrolene is also used to prevent the development of malignant hyperthermia (a rapid rise in body temperature) and stiff muscles caused by anesthesia during or after surgery.

Although not approved by the FDA for these uses, dantrolene has also been used to treat exercise-induced muscle pain, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and heat stroke.

Dantrolene may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with ny healthcare provider before taking dantrolene?

Do not take dantrolene if you have a liver disease such as hepatitis or cirrhosis.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you

• have a breathing or lung disease,

• have heart disease, or

• have had liver disease in the past.

You may need special monitoring during your therapy with dantrolene if you have any of these conditions.

Dantrolene is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether dantrolene will harm an unborn baby. Do not take dantrolene without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. It is also not known whether dantrolene passes into breast milk. Do not take dantrolene without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Dantrolene is not approved for use by children younger than 5 years of age.

How should I take dantrolene?

Take dantrolene exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water. Store dantrolene at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a dantrolene overdose include muscle weakness, drowsiness, unconsciousness, vomiting, and diarrhea.

What should I avoid while taking dantrolene?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Dantrolene may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking dantrolene.

Weakness in grip, leg muscles, and swallowing may occur. Use caution, especially when climbing stairs and eating meals, to prevent falls and choking.

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Dantrolene may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.