Skelaxin MedFacts

Skelaxin

Skelaxin is used for:

Treating discomfort associated with acute painful muscle conditions along with rest, physical therapy, or other measures.

Skelaxin is a muscle relaxant. It works in the brain to help relax the muscles.

Do NOT use Skelaxin if:

• you are allergic to any of the ingredients contained in Skelaxin
• you have a known tendency to drug-induced, hemolytic, or other anemias
• you have severe liver or kidney problems
• you are taking sodium oxybate (GHB)

Contact your health care provider as soon as possible if any of the above applies to you.

Consider before using Skelaxin

Medical Conditions

There are medical conditions that can influence usage of Skelaxin . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any medicine (either prescription or nonprescription), herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you are allergic to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have an enlarged prostate gland, liver or kidney problems, or the blood disease porphyria

Drugs Interaction

There are medicines that may interact with Skelaxin . Inform your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, in particular any from the list below:

• Sodium oxybate (GHB) because an increase in sleep duration and a decrease in the ability to breath are likely to occur

This is not a full list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Skelaxin may interact with other medicines that you take. Also, consult your health care provider in advance if you are going to start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Skelaxin Usage Guidelines

You should use Skelaxin as recommended by your doctor. Read the medicine's label for precise dosing instructions.

• Take Skelaxin by mouth with or without food. Taking it with food may increase the risk of drowsiness or dizziness.
• If you miss a dose of Skelaxin and you are taking it regularly, take it as soon as you get it remembered. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, ignore the missed one and get back to your normal dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.

Clarify with your health care provider any issues you may have about usage of Skelaxin .

Important safety information on skelaxin

• Skelaxin may cause drowsiness or dizziness. There effects may be worsened when this medicine is taken with aclohol or other medicines. Use Skelaxin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Talk with your doctor before you alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Skelaxin ; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• Diabetes patients - Skelaxin may cause the results of some tests for urine glucose to be wrong. Ask your doctor before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Lab tests, including liver function, may be performed while you use Skelaxin . These tests can be used to monitor your medical condition or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Skelaxin with caution in OLDER PATIENTS, because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially drowsiness or dizziness.
• Skelaxin should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 12 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Skelaxin while you are pregnant. It is not known if Skelaxin is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Skelaxin .

Side effects may be caused by Skelaxin

Any medicine may cause side effects, but the majority of people have either slight side effects, or dont have it at all. Consult your doctor if any of the most COMMON side effects from the list below persist or start bothering you:

Dizziness; drowsiness; headache; irritability; nausea; nervousness; upset stomach; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); fever, chills, or sore throat; unusual or severe tiredness or weakness; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Skelaxin storage instructions:

Store Skelaxin at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Skelaxin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions on Skelaxin , please consult your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
• Skelaxin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or even become worse, inform your doctor.

This article is a summary only, and it does not provide all the information about Skelaxin . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.