Skelaxin
® (
metaxalone) is a prescription muscle relaxant. It is approved for use in combination with rest, physical therapy, and other treatments for relieving the pain associated with short-term "musculoskeletal conditions," such as muscle spasms due to an injury.
Skelaxin is made by Mallinckrodt, Inc., and is marketed and sold by King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
It is not clear exactly how Skelaxin helps relieve muscle spasms. However, it is known to work mostly in the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), not directly on the muscles.
Some general considerations for when and how to take Skelaxin include the following:
- The medication comes in tablet form. It is usually taken three or four times daily.
- You can take Skelaxin with or without food, although taking it with food increases the levels of the medication in the blood, which may increase the risk of side effects.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed.
There is only one standard recommended dose of Skelaxin, regardless of your age, weight, or other medical conditions. As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Just like any medicine, Skelaxin can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Some of the most common side effects include but are not limited to:
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Nervousness or irritability.
(Click Skelaxin Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Skelaxin?
Talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Skelaxin if you have:
- Liver disease, such as liver failure, cirrhosis, or hepatitis
- Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure)
- Anemia
- Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose?
It is not known exactly what to expect from an overdose of Skelaxin, although some deaths have been reported. If you happen to take too much, seek immediate medical attention.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you forget to take your Skelaxin dose, simply skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
Skelaxin tablets come in one strength -- Skelaxin 800 mg. At one point, Skelaxin 400 mg tablets were available, but the manufacturer of the drug has decided to stop making this strength.
Is There a Generic Version of Skelaxin?
Currently, there are no generic versions of Skelaxin licensed for sale
(see Generic Skelaxin for more information).
