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Metaxalone (By mouth)

Metaxalone (me-TAX-a-lone)

Relaxes muscles and relieves pain caused by muscle injuries, sprains, and strains. This medicine is a muscle relaxant.

Brand Name(s):

Metaxall, Skelaxin

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how metaxalone works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Fentanyl, meperidine, methadone, mirtazapine, tramadol, trazodone
  • Benzodiazepine
  • Medicine to treat depression (including MAO inhibitors, SNRIs, SSRIs, TCAs)
  • Medicine to treat mental illness
  • Triptan medicine to treat migraine headaches
• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or a blood disorder (including anemia).
• This medicine may cause serotonin syndrome, which may be life-threatening when used with certain other medicines or if taken for a long time.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Anxiety, restlessness, fast heartbeat, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, twitching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Dizziness, drowsiness
• Headache
• Nervousness, irritability
• Stomach upset

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024