Metaxalone (Skelaxin)

Metaxalone is a skeletal muscle relaxant prescribed for the short-term treatment of painful muscle spasms.

Metaxalone is available under the following different brand names: Skelaxin.

Dosage Forms and Strengths

Tablet

• 800 mg

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Musculoskeletal Pain

• Indicated for acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions
• Adults: 800 mg orally every 6-8 hours
• Children 12 years and older: 800 mg orally every 6-8 hours
• Children under 12 years: Safety and efficacy not established

Dosing Modifications

Renal impairment

• Mild to moderate impairment: Use caution
• Severe impairment: Contraindicated

Hepatic impairment

• Mild to moderate impairment: Use caution
• Severe impairment: Contraindicated

Side effects of metaxalone include:

• Drug-induced gastrointestinal disturbance
• Upset stomach
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Nervousness
• Irritability
• Skin rash
• Hemolytic anemia (rare)
• Low white blood cell count (leukopenia) (rare)
• Immune hypersensitivity reaction (rare)

Serious side effects of metaxalone include:

• Stomach pain
• Loss of appetite
• Low fever
• Dark urine
• Clay-colored stools
• Yellowing skin and eyes (jaundice) (rare)

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.

• Severe Interactions of metaxalone include:
  • idelalisib
  • ivacaftor
  • sodium oxybate
• Metaxalone has moderate interactions with at least 160 different drugs.
• Mild Interactions of metaxalone include:
  • eucalyptus
  • sage

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns or for more information about this medicine.

Warnings

This medication contains metaxalone. Do not take Skelaxin if you are allergic to metaxalone or any ingredients contained in this drug.

Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity
• History of drug-induced hemolytic anemia
• Significant renal/hepatic impairment

Effects of Drug Abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Metaxalone?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Metaxalone?"

Cautions

• Central nervous system (CNS) depression may occur
• Sedative effects may be potentiated when used with other sedatives
• Medication is poorly tolerated by the elderly
• Bioavailability may increase in female patients
• Use caution in renal and hepatic impairment
• Safety and efficacy not established in children under 12 years

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use metaxalone with caution during pregnancy if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies are not available or neither animal nor human studies were done
• It is unknown if metaxalone is excreted in breast milk; it is not recommended for use while breastfeeding