Dantrolene

Administration

• Type: Skeletal muscle relaxant
• Dosage Forms:
• Routes of Administration: IV, oral
• Common Trade Names: Dantrium

Adult Dosing

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

• 0.25-2mg/kg IV q6-12hr
• Max dose 10mg/kg/day

Pediatric Dosing

• Same as above

Special Populations

• Pregnancy Rating: C
• Lactation risk: Infant risk cannot be ruled out
• Renal dosing: no adjustment
• Hepatic dosing: contraindicated in acute hepatitis or active cirrhosis

Contraindications

• Allergy to class/drug
• Acute hepatitis or active cirrhosis

Adverse Reactions

Serious

• Hepatotoxicity
• GI bleed
• Aplastic anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, small lymphocytic lymphoma
• Muscle weakness, dysphagia, reduced vital capacity, dyspnea

Common

• Flushing
• Somnolence, fatigue, malaise
• Nausea, diarrhea

Pharmacology

• Half-life: 10.8h
• Metabolism: Hepatic
• Excretion:

Mechanism of Action

• Interferes with release of calcium ions from sarcoplasmic reticulum in skeletal muscle, which results in dissociation of the excitation-contraction coupling

See Also

• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome