Description
Dantrolene Sodium Uses
Dantrolene Sodium is a skeletal muscle relaxant drug used for:
- Treatment of malignant hyperthermia in conjunction with appropriate supportive measures.
- Prevention of malignant hyperthermia in patients at high risk.
Dosage: Administer the recommended dosage of dantrolene for treatment of Malignant Hyperthermia by intravenous push at a low or minimum dose of 1 mg/kg. If the physiologic and metabolic abnormalities of MH continue, administer additional intravenous boluses up to the maximum cumulative dosage of 10 mg per kg. In case the physiologic and metabolic abnormalities reappear, repeat dantrolene dosing by intravenous push starting with 1 mg per kg. The recommended prophylactic dosage of dantrolene for prevention of Malignant Hyperthermia is 2.5 mg per kg administered intravenously over a period of at least 1 minute, starting approximately 75 minutes prior to surgery. Avoid agents that trigger MH. If surgery is prolonged, administer additional individualized dantrolene doses during surgery and anesthesia.
Side Effects: The most commonly reported dantrolene side effects include:
- Weakness in the legs
- Drowsiness and dizziness
- Nausea
- Thrombophlebitis
- Tissue necrosis secondary to extravasation, urticaria and erythema
- Injection site reactions (pain, erythema, swelling)
Warnings and Precautions:
- Patients with dantrolene 20 mg inj should not be permitted to ambulate without assistance until they have normal strength and balance.
- Dantrolene has been associated with dyspnea, respiratory muscle weakness, and decreased inspiratory capacity. Monitor patients for the adequacy of ventilation.
- The dantrolene sodium use has been associated with dysphasia. Evaluate patients for difficulty swallowing and choking.
- Somnolence and dizziness can occur following dantrolene uses. Patients must avoid operating an automobile or engaging in other hazardous activities for 48-hours post-dose.
- Care must be imposed in order to prevent extravasation of dantrolene into the surrounding tissues due to the high pH of the reconstituted dantrolene suspension and potential for tissue necrosis.
- The dantrolene sodium should be used during pregnancy only in case the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
