About dantrolene
Direct-acting skeletal muscle relaxant
Used for
- Treats chronic spasticity from conditions such as spinal cord injury, stroke, or cerebral palsy.
- Prevents or treats malignant hyperthermia in specific medical settings.
Usual adult dose
Chronic spasticity: usually starts at 25 mg once daily, increased gradually; maintenance is individualized, up to 100 mg four times daily.
Usual dose in children
For chronic spasticity, children may start at 0.5 mg/kg once daily; increase gradually, up to 3 mg/kg four times daily.
Common side effects
- Drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, and fatigue
- Diarrhea or nausea
- Liver injury, rarely severe
- Muscle weakness that may impair walking or breathing
Important warnings
- Can cause serious liver damage; risk rises with higher doses and prolonged use.
- Avoid use for spasticity when muscle tone is needed for posture or function.
- May worsen muscle weakness or breathing problems.
- Malignant hyperthermia treatment requires urgent hospital care; capsules are not used for emergency treatment.
Pregnancy
Use only when clearly needed; human pregnancy safety information is limited.
Breastfeeding
Information is limited; dantrolene may enter breast milk, so infant effects are uncertain.
Interactions
- Alcohol and sedatives can increase drowsiness.
- Estrogen therapy may increase the risk of liver injury.
- Other muscle relaxants may worsen muscle weakness.
- Calcium-channel blockers, especially verapamil, can cause serious heart problems with intravenous dantrolene.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.