Brand Name
Dantrium Capsules
Common Name
dantrolene
In this drug factsheet:
DIN (Drug Identification Number)| 01997653 | DANTRIUM CAP 100MG |
| 01997602 | DANTRIUM CAP 25MG |
How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Dantrolene belongs to a group of medicines known as muscle relaxants. Dantrolene capsules are used to treat people with chronic muscle spasms caused by conditions such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, or spinal cord injury. Dantrolene helps these symptoms by preventing contractions or spasms of the muscles.
Dantrolene may also be used before surgery for people at risk of malignant hyperthermia and for follow-up treatment of this condition. Malignant hyperthermia is a syndrome of muscle rigidity and greatly increased body temperature that can be caused by a reaction to certain anaesthetics. If left untreated, malignant hyperthermia can lead to death.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than the ones listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
How should I use this medication?
The usual starting dose for adults is 25 mg once daily. The dose is then increased gradually until the best dose is found, based on individual response and needs. The best dose is the lowest dose that will control the muscle spasms. Most people respond to doses of 400 mg daily (given in divided doses, usually as 100 mg 4 times daily) or less. Children's dosing is based on body weight. Children should not be given doses higher than 100 mg 4 times daily.
Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important that this medication be taken on a regular schedule and exactly as prescribed by the doctor. If you miss a dose of this medication, check with your health care professional. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
25 mg
Each opaque orange and brown capsule (opaque orange cap and opaque light tan to brown body), coded with 1 black bar and "DANTRIUM 25 mg 0149 0030", contains dantrolene sodium 25 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: carnauba wax, edible black ink, FD&C Yellow No. 6, gelatin, iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, lactose, magnesium stearate, starch, talc, titanium dioxide, and may contain one or more of the following: FD&C Blue No. 2, D&C Red No. 33.
100 mg
Each opaque orange and brown capsule (opaque orange cap and opaque light tan to brown body), coded with 3 black bars and "DANTRIUM 100 mg 0149 0033", contains dantrolene sodium 100 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: carnauba wax, edible black ink, FD&C Yellow No. 6, gelatin, iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, lactose, magnesium stearate, starch, talc, titanium dioxide, and may contain one or more of the following: FD&C Blue No. 2, D&C Red No. 33.
Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Dantrolene should not be taken by anyone who:
- is allergic to dantrolene or any of the ingredients of the medication
- has active liver disease (such as hepatitis or cirrhosis)
- has a particular type of muscle spasm (one that, in the doctor's opinion, may actually help increase or maintain the person's ability to function)
- has poor lung function
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