Dantrolene Sodium

Indications

Dantrolene Sodium is used for: Muscle tightness, muscle cramping (spasms), muscle pain caused by spinal cord injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis.

Adult Dose

Oral Spasticity Adult: Initially, 25 mg daily increased gradually at 7-day intervals over 7 wk. Discontinue if no response after 45 days of treatment. Max: 100 mg 4 times daily.

Child Dose

Oral Spasticity Child: Initially, 0.5 mg/kg once daily, may increase gradually to 2 mg/kg 3-4 times daily. Max: 100 mg 4 times daily.

Renal Dose

Administration

May be taken with or without food.

Contra Indications

Active liver disease; acute muscle spasm; patients who use their spasticity to maintain posture or function. Lactation.

Precautions

Perform LFTs before and during treatment. Increased risk of liver injury in patients >30 yr, female patients especially those on oestrogen therapy, history of liver disease or patients with daily dose >400 mg. Cardiac or pulmonary disorders. Pregnancy. Lactation: enters breast milk/not recommended

Pregnancy-Lactation

Pregnancy Category: C Lactation: enters breast milk/not recommended

Interactions

CNS depressants; oestrogens; calcium-channel blockers. CNS effects enhanced by alcohol or CNS depressants.

Adverse Effects

Side effects of Dantrolene Sodium : Fatigue, muscle weakness/pain. GI disturbances, CNS effects, tachycardia, unstable BP, dyspnoea, drowsiness, rashes, pruritus, chills and fever, visual disturbances, dysphagia, speech disturbances; haematuria, crystalluria, urinary frequency, retention and incontinence. Increased serum AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase, LDH, BUN, and total serum bilirubin concentrations, Difficult erection, Abnormal hair growth, Aplastic anemia, Anemia, Leukopenia, Lymphoma, Thrombocytopenia Potentially Fatal: Hepatotoxicity, pleural effusion with pericarditis.

Mechanism of Action

Dantrolene has a direct action on skeletal muscle. It uncouples muscular contraction from excitation, probably by interfering with calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum.