Dantrium (Dantrolene Sodium)

You should not use DANTRIUM if you have liver disease such as hepatitis or cirrhosis.  Do not use DANTRIUM at a time when muscle tone is needed to assure safe balance and movement for certain activities.

DANTRIUM can cause life-threatening liver damage, especially if you take high doses or take the medicine long-term. You may be more likely to develop liver problems while taking DANTRIUM  if you are a woman, if you are older than 35, or if you also take other medications. Ask your doctor about your individual risk.

Call your doctor at once if you have signs of liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). These side effects may be most likely to occur between 3 and 12 months of your treatment with DANTRIUM.

While using DANTRIUM, you may need frequent blood tests to check your liver function.

You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to DANTRIUM, or if you have liver disease such as hepatitis or cirrhosis. Do not use DANTRIUM  at a time when muscle tone is needed to assure safe balance and movement for certain activities. In some situations, it may endanger your physical safety to be in a state of reduced muscle tone.

DANTRIUM can cause life-threatening liver damage, especially if you take high doses or take the medicine long-term. You may be more likely to develop liver problems while taking DANTRIUM if you are a woman, if you are older than 35, or if you also take other medications.  Ask your doctor about your individual risk.

To make sure DANTRIUM is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• a history of liver disease;
• a breathing disorder such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease); or
• heart disease, or a history of heart attack.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether DANTRIUM will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

DANTRIUM can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Dantrolene should not be given to a child younger than 5 years old.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have signs of liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). These side effects may be most likely to occur between 3 and 12 months of your treatment with DANTRIUM.

DANTRIUM can cause muscle weakness, which can affect your ability to swallow. Use caution to prevent choking while you are eating meals. Talk with your doctor if you are unable to eat because of this side effect.

Also call your doctor right away if you have:

• muscle weakness;
• severe drowsiness; or
• vomiting, severe diarrhea.

Common side effects may include:

• mild diarrhea;
• weakness, drowsiness;
• dizziness; or
• tired feeling.

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of dantrolene.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Dantrolene can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can worsen these effects. Ask your doctor before taking dantrolene with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Other drugs may interact with dantrolene, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Your doctor will perform blood tests to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from safely using .

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Take this medicine with a full glass of water. If you take DANTRUIM within 3 or 4 hours before surgery, use only enough water needed to swallow the pill.

While using DANTRIUM, you may need frequent blood tests to check your liver function.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.