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

Quick overview

Skelaxin Tablet (generic name: metaxalone) is a prescription skeletal muscle relaxant used for short-term relief of painful muscle spasms, along with rest and physical therapy. It belongs to the skeletal muscle relaxant drug class. It is used alongside rest, physical therapy, and other measures to help manage muscle spasm or injury.

What is Skelaxin Tablet

Skelaxin is a prescription skeletal muscle relaxant used for short-term relief of painful muscle spasms, along with rest and physical therapy.

Skelaxin Tablet uses

• Relief of discomfort from acute, painful muscle and bone conditions
• Used along with rest, physical therapy, and other measures for muscle spasm or injury

Benefits of Skelaxin Tablet

• May cause less drowsiness or dizziness than some other muscle relaxers
• Starts working within about 30 minutes to an hour
• Available as a lower-cost generic
• Not a controlled substance

How Skelaxin Tablet works

Doctors are not exactly sure how this medicine works. It may calm down the central nervous system, which could explain how it eases muscle discomfort, but it does not relax tight muscles directly.

Skelaxin Tablet dosage

Take this medicine exactly as your doctor prescribed and follow the directions on your prescription label. Do not take more or less than recommended, or for longer than recommended. Taking this medicine with food may increase its sedating effects, so be aware this can make you sleepier. This medicine is only part of a full treatment plan that may also include rest and physical therapy. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for your next dose—do not double up. This medicine is not approved for use in children 12 years old or younger.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet

Side effects of Skelaxin Tablet

Common

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nervousness or irritability
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Upset stomach
• Skin rash

Serious

• Stomach pain, loss of appetite, low fever, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)
• Weak or shallow breathing
• A light-headed feeling, like you might pass out
• Pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion, or weakness
• Signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Low red blood cell counts (hemolytic anemia) or low white blood cell counts (leukopenia)

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine can cause a rare but life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome, especially when combined with certain antidepressants or other serotonin-affecting drugs, or when taken at higher than recommended doses. 
• This medicine should not be used by people allergic to it, people with certain blood disorders like hemolytic anemia, or people with significantly impaired kidney or liver function.
•  This medicine can increase the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down the central nervous system, which can be dangerous. 
• Taking this medicine with other sedating drugs such as sleeping pills, opioid pain medicines, or anti-anxiety medicines can cause dangerous or even life-threatening side effects. 
• Deaths have occurred from overdose of this medicine, especially when combined with antidepressants or alcohol.
• It is not known if this medicine is safe for an unborn baby. 
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, since this medicine should generally not be used during pregnancy unless your doctor decides the benefits outweigh the risks.
• It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby, so breastfeeding is not recommended while using it.
• This medicine should not be used by people with severe kidney disease, and should be used carefully in anyone with kidney problems.
• This medicine should be given very carefully to people with existing liver damage, and liver function should be checked regularly in these patients. It should not be used in people with severe liver disease.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine, since it can increase sedation and cause dangerous or even deadly side effects.
• This medicine may affect your thinking or reactions, so be careful driving or doing anything that requires alertness, especially if you also use alcohol or other drugs that cause drowsiness.

Storage

• Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat
• Store at controlled room temperature, between 59°F and 86°F

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you notice signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. 
• Stop taking this medicine and contact your doctor right away if you have weak or shallow breathing, feel like you might pass out, notice pale or yellowed skin, dark urine, fever, confusion, or weakness, or have stomach pain, loss of appetite, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
•  If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, get emergency medical help right away, since an overdose can be fatal.

Alternatives

• Baclofen
• Methocarbamol
• Cyclobenzaprine