Sometimes you suddenly sprain your leg or arm, or you pull a muscle while lifting something while playing sports? The pain and discomfort of tight muscles can be unbearable. In times like these, your doctor may prescribe a muscle relaxer. Metaxalone is one such medication that can help relieve these discomforts.
What is Metaxalone?
Simply put, Metaxalone is a muscle relaxer. It is mainly used to reduce muscle pain and stiffness caused by strains, sprains, or other similar injuries. It works as a pain reliever and relaxes the muscles, giving you relief.
In Sri Lanka, this medicine may come under different brand names like `(Skelaxin)`. But all of them contain the same active ingredient called Metaxalone. But there are a few important things we need to know before using this.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
Before prescribing Metaxalone to you, it is very important that your doctor is fully aware of your health condition. This medicine may not be compatible with some medical conditions. Therefore, if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
| Your situation | Why should you inform? |
|---|---|
| Anemia or other blood-related diseases | Some medications can affect the blood, so it's important to be aware of this. |
| Kidney disease | Medications are filtered out of the body by the kidneys. If the kidneys are not functioning properly, medications can build up in the body. |
| Liver disease | Medicines are broken down (metabolized) in the body by the liver. If there is a problem with the liver, the effects of the medicine may change. |
| Allergies to metaxalone or other medications, foods, or dyes | If you have had an allergy before, talking about it can help prevent a serious allergic reaction. |
| Being pregnant or trying to get pregnant | Some medications can affect the baby during pregnancy, so it's important to talk about this. |
| Breastfeeding the baby | Medications can pass to the baby through breast milk, so it's important to seek your doctor's advice. |
How should I use the medicine?
This medicine is a tablet that you take by mouth. Swallow the tablet with a glass of water. The most important thing is to take this medicine exactly as your doctor has prescribed it, and only in the amount prescribed. Follow the instructions on the medicine label exactly. Do not take more than the amount you are told to take.
Doctors recommend this medicine to children over the age of 13 in some special cases. But they do so with special care. Therefore , never give your children this medicine without a doctor's advice.
Attention: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine (Overdose), do not panic. Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital. Also, this medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never share it with anyone else.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Other things that may interact with Metaxalone
Metaxalone can interact with other medications, such as alcohol, which can increase side effects or change the way the medication works.
| Potential interaction material | Particular care should be taken. |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Definitely avoid it. Taking this medication with alcohol can cause severe side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness. |
| Other medications that cause drowsiness | Examples: antihistamines, anxiety/sleep medicine, some antidepressants |
| Some painkillers | Narcotic medicines for pain, especially morphine |
| Anesthetic drugs used for surgery | If you are scheduled to undergo surgery, it is essential to inform the doctor and anesthesiologist that you are taking Metaxalone. |
This list is not complete. So, when you see your doctor, give him or her a complete list of all the medications, vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements you are taking. Be sure to tell him or her if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Things to keep in mind when taking this medicine
- If your symptoms don't improve, or even get worse, tell your doctor.
- This medicine may make you feel drowsy or dizzy. Therefore, avoid driving, operating machinery, or doing anything that requires concentration until you know how this medicine affects you.
- When you suddenly sit down from standing, or when you suddenly stand up from sitting, you may feel dizzy. Be especially careful if you are an elderly person. This can reduce the risk of dizziness and falls.
- Avoid drinking alcohol completely. Alcohol can alter the effects of the medication and make side effects worse.
- If you are taking other medications that make you sleepy, you may have more side effects. So tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, Metaxalone can cause side effects in some people. Some of these are serious, while others are common.
| Type of side effect | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Difficulty breathing | Shortness of breath, decreased breathing rate. |
| Unusual weakness or fatigue | Extreme fatigue for no reason. |
| Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (but tell your doctor if they persist) | |
| Anxious | Unreasonable anxiety, restlessness. |
| Headache | Mild to moderate headache. |
| Irritability | Quick to anger, a troubled mind. |
| Upset stomach | Nausea, stomach ache, etc. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience any unusual symptoms, talk to your doctor for advice.
How to store the medicine?
- Keep it out of the reach of children.
- Store at room temperature (between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius).
- Keep the medicine bottle/box tightly closed.
- Discard expired medication without using it.
Take-Home Message
- Metaxalone is a muscle relaxant that is used to reduce pain and stiffness caused by injuries such as muscle strains and sprains.
- Always take the dose your doctor prescribes, exactly as prescribed. Never take more.
- Tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have (especially liver and kidney-related) and all other medications you are taking.
- Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medicine.
- Avoid driving and performing hazardous activities as the medication may cause drowsiness and dizziness.
- If you experience any serious side effects, such as skin rashes or difficulty breathing, seek medical advice immediately.
- Always keep this medicine in a safe place out of the reach of children.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න