Class
- Skeletal muscle relaxant, centrally acting
Metaxalone
Commonly Prescribed for
(FDA approved in bold)
- Musculoskeletal conditions. (Adjunct to rest and physical therapy for relief of acute pain.)
- Spasticity
Metaxalone
How the Drug Works
- Unclear but might be related to general CNS depression effect
Metaxalone
How Long Until It Works
- Pain – hours
Metaxalone
If It Works
- Slowly titrate to most effective tolerated dose
Metaxalone
If It Doesn’t Work
- Increase to highest tolerated dose and consider alternative treatments
Metaxalone
Best Augmenting Combos for Partial Response or Treatment-Resistance
- Use other centrally acting muscle relaxants with caution due to potential CNS depressant effect
- Can combine with NSAIDs for acute pain
Metaxalone
Tests
- None
Adverse Effects (AEs)
Metaxalone
How Drug Causes AEs
- CNS depression
Metaxalone
Notable AEs
- Nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, irritability, rash
Metaxalone
Life-Threatening or Dangerous AEs
- Hemolytic anemia or leukopenia have been reported
Metaxalone
Weight Gain
- Unusual
Metaxalone
Sedation
- Common
Metaxalone
What to Do About AEs
- Lower the dose or discontinue drug
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