Norgesic (Orphenadrine Citrate And Paracetamol)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Norgesic Used For?
Norgesic is a combination medication that contains two active ingredients: orphenadrine citrate (a muscle relaxant) and paracetamol (a pain reliever). It’s specifically designed to treat muscle-related pain and headaches.
Primary Uses
Norgesic is used to treat tension headaches and headaches caused by muscle spasms in the back of your head and neck. It also helps relax certain muscles in your body and relieves pain and discomfort caused by sprains, strains, or other muscle injuries.
How It Works
Orphenadrine citrate is a skeletal muscle relaxant that acts in the central nervous system to produce muscle relaxant effects. Paracetamol is used to treat or prevent pain and reduce fever.
How to Take Norgesic
Always follow your doctor’s instructions and the directions on the package when taking Norgesic. The medication should be taken regularly as prescribed.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose for adults is two tablets three times a day. Do not take more than the recommended dose unless your doctor tells you to. Follow the instructions provided and use Norgesic until your doctor tells you to stop.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Norgesic should be used regularly at the same time each day. If you miss your dose at the usual time and remember within an hour or so, take it straight away. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you’re meant to.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you 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:
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Drowsiness
- Rash
- Trouble urinating
- Stomach cramps or pain
- Constipation
- Fainting
- Drop in blood pressure
- Fast or pounding heartbeat
- Sweating
- Trouble breathing
- Hallucinations
- Confusion
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Signs of an allergic reaction including tightness in the chest and/or wheezing, shortness of breath and skin rash
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Sores, ulcers or white spots on lips or in the mouth
- Skin pain, red rashes, blisters and sores on the skin, peeling skin, cough and fever
- Abdominal pain, muscle or joint pain, yellowing of the skin, dark urine or clay-coloured stools
- Chest pain
- Rapid heartbeat, rapid shallow breathing, confusion, loss of appetite, feeling very tired, sleepiness
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Norgesic should not be used or should be used with caution.
Who Should Not Take Norgesic
Do not use Norgesic if you are allergic to orphenadrine citrate, paracetamol, or any other ingredients. Also avoid if you have glaucoma, intestinal blockage or oesophageal disease, an enlarged prostate or bladder obstruction, myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness), or if the packaging shows signs of tampering or is past the expiry date.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor if you have heart, liver, or kidney problems, Gilbert’s syndrome, Glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase deficiency, alcohol abuse problems, sensitivity to aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medicines, malnutrition, asthma, or any other medical conditions. Also inform your doctor if you’re taking other medicines containing paracetamol.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. Contact your doctor if you become pregnant while using Norgesic.
Children: Do not give Norgesic to children under the age of 12 years.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with Norgesic and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you’re taking.
- Phenothiazine medicines used to treat serious emotional and mental disorders
- Medicines used to relieve stomach cramps or spasms
- Medicines which have a sedating effect
- Alcohol
- Medicines to prevent blood clots
- Medicines that affect how quickly food leaves the stomach (metoclopramide, domperidone, propantheline, some antidepressants and narcotic painkillers)
- Antibiotics such as chloramphenicol, rifampicin or flucloxacillin
- Probenecid used for gout
- Zidovudine used for HIV/AIDS
- Cholestyramine
- Anti-epileptic medicines
Alcohol & Driving
Norgesic can affect your ability to drive safely and may interact dangerously with alcohol.
Alcohol
Avoid drinking alcohol while using Norgesic. Drinking alcohol whilst using Norgesic may increase the occurrence or severity of side effects such as drowsiness. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Norgesic affects you. Norgesic may cause blurred vision, drowsiness, dizziness, or make you feel less alert than normal.
Storage
Store Norgesic below 30°C in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store it in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on windowsills. Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
Overdose Information
If you think that you have used too much Norgesic, you may need urgent medical attention. Overdose with paracetamol-containing medicines can lead to liver damage. You should immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (by calling 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source material doesn’t specify how long Norgesic takes to work. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for information about when you can expect to feel relief from your symptoms.
The source material doesn’t specify whether Norgesic should be taken with or without food. Follow your doctor’s instructions and ask your pharmacist if you have questions about taking it with meals.
If you miss your dose at the usual time and remember within an hour or so, take it straight away. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you’re meant to. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
No, you should avoid drinking alcohol while using Norgesic. Alcohol may increase the occurrence or severity of side effects such as drowsiness. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Norgesic may cause dryness of the mouth. For temporary relief, use sugarless gum or sweets, melt some ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. If dry mouth persists, talk to your dentist.
No, do not give Norgesic to children under the age of 12 years. Also, do not give Norgesic to anyone else even if they have the same condition as you.
If you experience less serious side effects like nausea, dry mouth, or drowsiness that worry you, speak to your doctor. For serious side effects like allergic reactions, unusual bleeding, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, call your doctor straight away or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
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.