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

Quick overview

Norgesic Tablet is a combination medicine containing orphenadrine citrate, aspirin (or paracetamol in some regional versions), and caffeine. It belongs to the skeletal muscle relaxant combination drug class and is used, along with rest and physical therapy, for short-term relief of mild-to-moderate muscle pain, spasms, strains, and sprains. It is an opioid-free pain reliever available as a tablet.

What is Norgesic Tablet

Norgesic is a combination medicine that pairs a muscle relaxant (orphenadrine citrate) with a pain and fever reliever (aspirin or, in some regional versions, paracetamol) plus caffeine. It is an opioid-free pain reliever used along with rest and physical therapy for muscle pain.

Norgesic Tablet uses

• Short-term relief of mild-to-moderate acute muscle pain, spasms, strains, and sprains, used along with rest and physical therapy
• Tension headaches and headaches caused by muscle spasms in the neck and back of the head
• Discomfort from acute disorders of the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, or tendons

Benefits of Norgesic Tablet

• Combines a muscle relaxant with a pain reliever and caffeine in one tablet for multi-action relief
• Caffeine boosts the pain-relieving effect of the other ingredients
• Can be used alongside rest and physical therapy to help you recover from muscle injuries

How Norgesic Tablet works

Orphenadrine relaxes muscles by acting on the brain and nervous system to block pain signals and reduce muscle tension. Aspirin reduces pain, swelling, and fever by lowering certain substances in the body that cause these symptoms. Caffeine is added because it boosts the pain-relieving effect of the other ingredients.

Norgesic Tablet dosage

Take each dose with a full glass of water. Take the medicine exactly as your doctor directs, and do not take more than prescribed even if your pain isn't fully relieved. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one — do not double up. This medicine is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet

Side effects of Norgesic Tablet

Common

• Drowsiness or dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Blurred vision or dilated pupils
• Nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset
• Constipation
• Fast or pounding heartbeat (palpitations)
• Difficulty or hesitancy urinating
• Headache
• Tremor
• Weakness
• Faint ringing in the ears
• Sweating
• Hiccups

Serious

• Signs of an allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, or hives
• Irregular or very fast heartbeat
• Confusion, hallucinations, or unusual behavior
• Red, black, or bloody stools, or blood in vomit (signs of stomach bleeding)
• Unusual bruising or bleeding
• Severe skin reactions with rash, fever, blistering, or peeling skin
• Signs of liver problems such as yellowing skin, dark urine, or abdominal pain
• Fainting or significant drop in blood pressure
• Trouble breathing

Warnings and precautions

• Do not take this medicine if you have glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, an enlarged prostate, a blockage in the bladder or intestines, or a known allergy to its ingredients.
• Because this medicine contains aspirin, do not give it to children or teenagers with a fever, flu symptoms, or chickenpox, due to the risk of a rare but serious condition called Reye's syndrome.
• Use with extra caution if you have peptic ulcers or a bleeding or clotting disorder, as the aspirin in this medicine can cause stomach bleeding.
• This medicine can cause serious, sometimes life-threatening skin or allergic reactions. Stop taking it right away and get medical help if you develop a rash, fever, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Do not take other products containing aspirin at the same time, as too much aspirin can be dangerous.
• Avoid this medicine in the later stages of pregnancy. It's not known for certain whether it's safe for an unborn baby, so talk to your doctor before use if you are or might become pregnant.
• It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor before use if you are breastfeeding.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease before taking this medicine, since it may require special monitoring or a dosage change.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver disease before taking this medicine, since it may require special monitoring or a dosage change.
• Avoid alcohol while taking this medicine, as it can increase drowsiness and dizziness, and combined with aspirin it can also harm your stomach.
• Be careful when driving, operating machinery, or doing other activities that need full alertness, since this medicine can cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision.

Storage

• Store Norgesic at room temperature away from moisture and heat
• Store below 30°C (86°F) in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight
• Keep out of the reach of children
• If you no longer need the medicine or it is out of date, take it to a pharmacy for safe disposal

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or hives.
• Seek emergency care for an irregular or very fast heartbeat.
• Get medical help right away if you notice confusion, hallucinations, or abnormal behavior.
• Seek emergency medical attention if you notice red, black, or bloody stools, or blood in vomit, as this could mean stomach bleeding.
• If you think you've taken too much of this medicine, seek emergency medical attention right away.
• Call your doctor right away if you develop a rash, itching, fever, or nasal congestion while on this medicine.

Alternatives

• Methocarbamol
• Naproxen
• Ibuprofen