Skelaxin
Metaxalone
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Skelaxin
Skelaxin is a skeletal muscle relaxant drug. It acts by blocking nerve impulses that carry pain sensations to the brain.
Therapeutic Uses of Skelaxin
Skelaxin is a muscle relaxant used for treatment of skeletal muscle conditions such as pain or injury.
Direction of use of Skelaxin
Skelaxin should be taken as per direction of your doctor. Read the label on the medicine carefully for exact dosing instructions. Skelaxin is taken orally with food or on empty stomach. Taking it with food may increase the risk of drowsiness or dizziness, so it is better to take it on empty stomach.
If You Miss a Dose of Skelaxin
If you miss a dose of Skelaxin, you should skip the missed dose and keep taking Skelaxin as usual schedule. Do not take 2 doses to compensate for the missed dose.
How to Store Skelaxin
Skelaxin should be stored at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). But it can be stored in between 59 to 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C), for a brief period. Store it away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Skelaxin out of the reach of children.
More Information About Skelaxin
If you have any questions about Skelaxin, ask your doctor or other health care provider. Skelaxin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed and should not be shared with other people. If you are not getting any result after using it, you should consult your doctor.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Skelaxin
Do not take Skelaxin if you have any medical conditions listed below and consult your doctor immediately:
- If you are allergic to any of the ingredients used in Skelaxin.
- If you have a known tendency to drug induced, hemolytic anemia or other anemia.
- If you are taking sodium oxybate (GHB).
Important notes about Skelaxin:
- Skelaxin may cause drowsiness or dizziness (especially if taken with food). These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Skelaxin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks like operating heavy machinery that require constant attention or monitoring, until you know how you react to it.
- Talk with your doctor before you alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (like sleep aids, muscle relaxants etc.) while you are using Skelaxin, it may add to their effects (dowsiness and dizziness). Ask your doctor if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
- Pregnancy and breast feeding: If you are pregnant you should not take Skelaxin. If you become pregnant while on Skelaxin, consult your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Skelaxin while you are pregnant. It is not known if Skelaxin is found in breast milk, but do not breast-feed while taking Skelaxin.
- Use Skelaxin with caution in the elderly as they may be more sensitive to its side effects, especially drowsiness or dizziness.
- Skelaxin should not be used in children younger than 12 years old; safety and effectiveness of Skelaxin in these children have not been established.
- In diabetes patients, Skelaxin may cause the results of some tests for urine glucose to be wrong and need to be careful about it.
- Lab tests, like liver function test, may be performed while you use Skelaxin. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
Possible Adverse Effects of Skelaxin
- Common and less serious side effects of Skelaxin are vomiting, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, irritability, nervousness, upset stomach etc. If any of these side effects of Skelaxin become bothersome or persistent you should consult your doctor.
- If you experience any serious side effects of Skelaxin, you should get immediate medical attention. Serious and uncommon side effects of Skelaxin are severe allergic reaction (manifested as skin rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); fever, chills, or sore throat (signs of infection); unusual tiredness or weakness; yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice) etc.