Metaxalone Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Metaxalone Tablet (metaxalone) is a prescription skeletal muscle relaxant used along with rest and physical therapy to relieve pain from muscle, bone, and joint injuries. It is approved for use in adults and children 13 years and older with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions. Common side effects include nausea, drowsiness, and dizziness, while serious risks include allergic reaction, serotonin syndrome, and central nervous system depression.

What is Metaxalone Tablet

Metaxalone is a prescription skeletal muscle relaxant tablet used along with rest and physical therapy to relieve pain from muscle, bone, and joint injuries.

Metaxalone Tablet uses

• Relief of discomfort from acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions, used along with rest, physical therapy, and other measures
• Used in adults and children 13 years and older to treat muscle conditions that cause pain or injury

Benefits of Metaxalone Tablet

• Helps relieve muscle spasms
• Reduces muscle pain and stiffness
• Can improve mobility
• Used as an adjunct to rest and physical therapy
• Commonly used for short-term musculoskeletal conditions

How Metaxalone Tablet works

Metaxalone may work by slowing down activity in the brain and spinal cord, which helps relax muscles and ease pain. Its exact mechanism in humans is not fully known.

Metaxalone Tablet dosage

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor; never take more than prescribed or for longer than prescribed. It can be taken with or without food, but take it the same way each time since food can increase drowsiness or dizziness. Continue rest, physical therapy, or other pain relief measures as directed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it's almost time for your next dose; do not double up doses. Safety and effectiveness have not been established in children 12 years of age and younger.

Available forms and strengths

• Oral tablet (400 mg, 640 mg, 800 mg)

Side effects of Metaxalone Tablet

Common

• Nausea and vomiting
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nervousness or irritability
• Upset stomach

Serious

• Signs of a severe allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, mouth, or throat, racing heart, fever, swollen lymph nodes, throat tightness
• Serotonin syndrome symptoms: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures
• Central nervous system depression: confusion, excessive sleepiness, memory problems, slow or shallow breathing, slurred speech, slowed reaction time
• Low blood cell counts: fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath
• Liver problems: pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion, weakness, jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)
• Feeling like you might pass out

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine can increase the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down the central nervous system.
• Taking this medicine with certain other drugs that affect serotonin can cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.
• This medicine can slow or stop breathing, especially if combined with opioid medicines or certain medicines for anxiety or mood disorders.
• Deaths have occurred from overdose of this medicine, particularly when combined with antidepressants or alcohol.
• Do not take this medicine if you have a known tendency toward certain types of anemia.
• It is not known if metaxalone can harm an unborn baby. The tablets should generally not be used during pregnancy, especially early pregnancy, unless your doctor decides the benefits outweigh the risks.
• It is not known whether metaxalone passes into breast milk. As a general rule, breastfeeding should not be done while taking this drug since many drugs pass into breast milk. Ask your doctor if it is safe for you.
• This medicine should not be used by people with severe kidney disease, and should be used cautiously in anyone with kidney impairment.
• This medicine should not be used by people with severe liver disease. It should be given carefully to people with existing liver damage, and liver function should be checked regularly.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine, as it can increase drowsiness and dizziness and cause dangerous side effects.
• This medicine can affect your alertness and coordination. Do not drive or do activities that require alertness until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store at room temperature, between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C)
• Can be exposed to temperatures between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C) for shorter periods, such as when transporting it
• Store in a cool, dry place
• Keep out of the reach of children

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you notice signs of a severe allergic reaction such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Seek medical help immediately if you notice signs of serotonin syndrome such as agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• A caregiver should seek emergency help if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue-colored lips, or are difficult to wake up.
• Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you feel like you might pass out, show signs of low blood cell counts, or develop yellowing of the skin or eyes.
• If you or someone else has taken too much of this medicine, get medical help right away or contact a poison control center, as an overdose can be fatal.

Alternatives

• Cyclobenzaprine
• Methocarbamol
• Tizanidine
• Baclofen