Dantrium Capsules (Dantrolene Sodium Hemiheptahydrate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Dantrium Capsules Used For?
Dantrium capsules contain dantrolene sodium hemiheptahydrate, a muscle relaxant that helps reduce muscle spasms caused by various neurological conditions.
Primary Uses
Dantrium is used to relax muscles that are in spasm as a result of spinal cord injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, or multiple sclerosis. It is particularly helpful for patients whose rehabilitation is being slowed down by muscle spasm.
How It Works
Dantrium works as a muscle relaxant to reduce muscle spasms and help improve physical function and rehabilitation progress.
Good to know: This medication is particularly helpful for patients whose rehabilitation progress is being hindered by muscle spasms.
How to Take Dantrium Capsules
Always follow your doctor’s instructions exactly when taking Dantrium capsules. Your doctor will determine the right dose and treatment duration for your specific condition.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will decide how much Dantrium you should take each day and how long your treatment should continue. Take the capsules exactly as instructed by your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the pharmacist’s label to check the exact dose and how often to take it.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking it as you would normally. If you are not sure whether to skip the dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you have missed.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- drowsiness, fatigue, weakness
- dizziness, light-headedness
- diarrhoea or constipation
- generally feeling unwell
- loss of appetite
- difficulty swallowing, indigestion
- dry mouth, excessive saliva, alteration of taste
- nausea, vomiting
- speech problems
- headache
- visual problems, including double vision
- trouble sleeping
- depression, confusion
- frequent urination, abnormal colouration of the urine
- difficulties in obtaining an erection
- abnormal hair growth
- rashes
- sweating
- backache, muscle pain
- excessive tears
- chill
- fever
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
- shortness of breath, trouble breathing, wheezing
- chest pain
- fast heart rate
- swelling of the liver which can result in yellowing of the skin and eyes, lower back pain, dark urine, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, itching and feeling unwell
- stomach pain/cramps or bleeding from the rectum
- fits or convulsions
- bleeding or bruising more easily
- swelling of the feet or legs
- crystals or blood in the urine
- loss of control of the bladder
- difficulty passing or inability to pass urine
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Dantrium should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Dantrium Capsules
Do not take Dantrium if you have ever had an allergic reaction to dantrolene sodium hemiheptahydrate or any ingredients; are lactose intolerant; have liver disease such as hepatitis and cirrhosis; or if your muscle spasms allow you to keep an upright position, balance during movement, or provide better physical function.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Talk to your doctor if you have liver, heart, or kidney problems; breathing difficulties; or if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. It is essential to have your liver checked by your doctor before taking Dantrium to determine if you have any existing liver problems.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Dantrium should not be used while breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while being treated with Dantrium, tell your doctor immediately.
Liver Monitoring Required: Dantrium can cause damage to your liver, so your liver function needs to be checked regularly by your doctor to detect any abnormalities.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Dantrium and affect how it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines.
- Medicines containing oestrogen, including oral contraceptives and menopause treatments
- Calcium channel blockers such as verapamil (used for high blood pressure)
- Other muscle relaxant medicines that work differently to Dantrium
- CNS depressants (medicines to reduce anxiety or help you sleep)
Alcohol & Driving
Dantrium can affect your ability to drive and may interact dangerously with alcohol. Special precautions are needed to ensure your safety.
Alcohol
Avoid drinking alcohol or taking medicines to reduce anxiety or help you sleep. These may increase the drowsiness and dizziness effects of Dantrium and should be avoided.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Do not drive or operate machinery while you are taking Dantrium capsules. Dantrium causes drowsiness, dizziness and weakness in some people and therefore may affect alertness.
Sun Sensitivity
Be careful of exposure to sunlight while being treated with Dantrium. Dantrium may increase sensitivity of the skin to sun. Symptoms of sunburn (such as redness, itching, swelling or blistering) may occur more quickly than normal.
Storage
Keep Dantrium in its original packaging until it is time to use it. Store in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Do not store in the bathroom or near a sink, and do not leave it in the car or on a window sill, as heat and dampness can destroy the medicine. Keep it where young children cannot reach it – a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else may have taken too much Dantrium, immediately telephone your doctor, or the Australian Poisons Information Centre (telephone 131 126), or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source doesn’t specify exact timing, but your doctor will monitor your progress and adjust treatment as needed. Keep all doctor’s appointments so your progress can be monitored.
The source doesn’t specify food restrictions. Follow your doctor’s instructions and ask your pharmacist if you have questions about taking it with meals.
The source doesn’t indicate that Dantrium is addictive, but you should only take it as prescribed and not give it to others, even if they have the same condition.
Always speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines. Don’t stop without medical guidance.
No, you should avoid drinking alcohol while taking Dantrium as it may intensify drowsiness, dizziness and weakness effects.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Dantrium can cause damage to your liver, so your liver function needs to be checked regularly by your doctor to detect any abnormalities. It’s essential to have liver tests before starting and during treatment.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.