What is the most important information I should know about Skelaxin?Do not use this medication if you are allergic to metaxalone, or if you have anemia (a lack of red blood cells), or severe kidney or liver disease. Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Skelaxin can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of Skelaxin. What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Skelaxin?Do not use this medication if you are allergic to metaxalone, or if you have: Before using Skelaxin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have liver or kidney disease. If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Skelaxin, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Skelaxin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 12 years old. How should I take Skelaxin?Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Take Skelaxin on an empty stomach, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Skelaxin. Skelaxin is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include rest, physical therapy, or other pain relief measures. Follow your doctor's instructions. Store Skelaxin at room temperature away from moisture and heat. What happens if I miss a dose?Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose. What happens if I overdose?Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of this medication can be fatal. Symptoms of a Skelaxin overdose may include extreme drowsiness, slow or shallow breathing, feeling light-headed, or fainting. What should I avoid while taking Skelaxin?Skelaxin can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of Skelaxin. Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine to treat depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by Skelaxin. Skelaxin side effectsGet emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Skelaxin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite; low fever; dark urine, clay-colored stools; or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Keep taking Skelaxin and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects: drowsiness, dizziness; feeling nervous or irritable; headache; mild nausea, vomiting, upset stomach; or skin rash.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. What other drugs will affect Skelaxin?Before taking Skelaxin, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs: a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), mesoridazine (Serentil), pimozide (Orap), or thioridazine (Mellaril).
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use Skelaxin, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment. There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Skelaxin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Where can I get more information?- Your pharmacist has information about Skelaxin written for health professionals that you may read.
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