dantrolene sodium at a glance
Medicine class
Direct-acting skeletal muscle relaxant
Main oral use
Chronic severe spasticity caused by neurological disorders
Emergency use
Intravenous treatment of malignant hyperthermia alongside supportive care
Key monitoring
Regular liver-function blood tests are required during oral treatment
What is dantrolene sodium used for?
The oral and intravenous products are licensed for different clinical settings.
Oral capsules: chronic severe skeletal-muscle spasticity associated with conditions including stroke, spinal-cord injury, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis, in eligible adults and children.
Intravenous formulation: treatment of malignant hyperthermia in adults and children, together with appropriate supportive measures.
How does dantrolene sodium work?
Dantrolene reduces calcium release from storage sites inside skeletal-muscle cells. This weakens the link between nerve stimulation and muscle contraction, reducing excessive muscle tension and the uncontrolled muscle metabolism seen in malignant hyperthermia.
dantrolene sodium preparations and strengths
Capsule
Route: Oral
Strengths: 25 mg, 100 mg
How to take dantrolene sodium
Use dantrolene exactly as directed by the prescriber. Intravenous dantrolene is prepared and administered by trained healthcare professionals.
Swallow capsules whole with plenty of water.
Do not change or stop oral treatment without discussing it with the prescriber.
The intravenous powder must be reconstituted and drawn through the supplied single-use filter; it must not be mixed with other intravenous infusions.
dantrolene sodium side effects
Common or expected effects
- Drowsiness or dizziness
- Fatigue, weakness or reduced muscle strength
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea, vomiting or abdominal cramps
- Headache
- Reduced appetite
- Rash or increased sensitivity to sunlight
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction
- Liver inflammation or failure, which may cause jaundice, itching or pale stools
- Respiratory depression or marked breathing difficulty
- Fluid around the lungs or heart, sometimes causing breathlessness or chest symptoms
- Severe or persistent diarrhoea
- Severe injection-site inflammation, thrombophlebitis or tissue injury
dantrolene sodium in pregnancy
Oral dantrolene is contraindicated during pregnancy. Intravenous dantrolene crosses the placenta and should be used only after weighing potential benefit against possible maternal and fetal risks; malignant hyperthermia requires emergency specialist management.
dantrolene sodium while breastfeeding
Oral dantrolene is contraindicated while breastfeeding because it enters breast milk and effects on the infant cannot be excluded. Breastfeeding should be interrupted during intravenous treatment; specialist advice is needed about restarting.
dantrolene sodium interactions
Check all prescribed, over-the-counter and herbal products because dantrolene can increase weakness, sedation or organ toxicity.
Alcohol, benzodiazepines, sedating antihistamines and other CNS depressants
May increase drowsiness, impaired responsiveness and muscle weakness; alcohol should be avoided during oral treatment.
Oestrogens and other potentially hepatotoxic medicines
May increase the risk of liver injury during oral treatment.
Non-depolarising neuromuscular blockers, such as vecuronium
Their muscle-relaxing effect may be enhanced.
Common questions about dantrolene sodium
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Does dantrolene sodium make you sleepy?
It can cause drowsiness, dizziness, confusion and fatigue, particularly when treatment changes or it is combined with other sedating substances.
Can I drink alcohol while taking dantrolene sodium?
Alcohol should be avoided during oral treatment because it can increase sedation and muscle weakness.
Can I drive while taking dantrolene sodium?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.