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chlorzoxazone (Parafon Forte DSC, Lorzone)

 

Classes: Skeletal Muscle Relaxants

Dosing and uses of Parafon Forte DSC, Lorzone (chlorzoxazone)

 

Adult dosage forms and strengths

tablet

  • 375mg
  • 500mg
  • 750mg

 

Musculoskeletal Conditions

250-750 mg PO q6-8hr

 

Pediatric dosage forms and strengths

tablet

  • 375mg
  • 500mg
  • 750mg

 

Muscle Spasms

20 mg/kg/day PO divided q6-8hr or 600 mg/m²/day PO divided q6-8hr

 

Geriatric dosage forms and strengths

 

Musculoskeletal Conditions

250 mg PO q6-12hr; increase PRN to 750 mg PO q6-8hr

 

Parafon Forte DSC, Lorzone (chlorzoxazone) adverse (side) effects

1-10%

Lightheadedness

Dizziness

Drowsiness

Excitement, ParadoxicaL

Somnolence

Malaise

Rash

Angioneurotic edema

 

<1%

Gastrointestinal hemorrhage (rare)

Hepatotoxicity (rare)

Anaphylaxis (rare)

 

Warnings

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity

Impaired liver function

 

Cautions

May cause drowsiness/dizziness

May take with food to avoid stomach upset

Poor tolerance by the elderly

 

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy category: C

Lactation: not known if excreted in breast milk

 

Pregnancy categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

 

Pharmacology of Parafon Forte DSC, Lorzone (chlorzoxazone)

Mechanism of action

Blocks interneuronal conduction in spinal cord and subcortical brain areas by depressing polysynaptic reflexes

 

Pharmacokinetics

Half-life: 66 min

Onset: 1 hr

Duration: 6-12 hr

Peak Plasma Time: 1-4 hr

Peak Plasm Concentration: 9-20 mcg/mL

Metabolism: Rapid hepatic glucuronidation

Metabolites: 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone (inactive; rapidly excreted in urine)

Excretion: Urine (primarily)