Patient/caregiver was educated on the contraindications for using Dantrolene as follows:
- Chronic use of dantrolene can induce inflammation of the pleura, a membrane surrounding the lungs, resulting in swelling of the pleura and episodes of chest pain. Secondary to inflammation of the membranes, fluid gets built up around the lungs. Progressively worsening fluid accumulation around the lungs can exert pressure on the lungs from all sides and thus limit lung expansion, contributing to poor exchange of gases. Compromised lung expansion in due course of time can result in decreased lung capacity, shortness of breath, and fatigue. So, dantrolene use could be avoided for a safer alternative in individuals with history of compromised lung capacity and poor lung expansion or used with extra caution with close watch for signs and symptoms of worsening lung function and increasing breathing difficulty.
- Chronic use of dantrolene can induce inflammation of the pericardium, a membrane surrounding the heart, resulting in swelling of the pericardium, palpitations of heart, and episodes of chest pain. Secondary to inflammation of the pericardium, fluid gets built up around the heart. In severe cases of pericarditis, the fluid accumulation around the heart can exert pressure on the heart from all sides and prevent the heart from filling with blood to capacity when the heart relaxes. Low filling volume inside the heart during relaxation results in less volume of blood pumped out of the heart when the heart contracts. This contributes to less blood supply to vital organs, such as, brain, liver, and lungs, eventually compromising their function. So, dantrolene use could be avoided for a safer alternative in individuals with history of compromised cardiac function or used with extra caution with close watch for signs and symptoms of worsening heart failure, such as, progressively falling blood pressure numbers, worsening confusion & dizziness, deteriorating shortness of breath, and increasing fatigue & weakness.
- Calcium channel blockers, such as, nifedipine, verapamil, and amlodipine, are drugs used to treat conditions like HTN, arrhythmias, and heart failure. Concurrent administration of these drugs with dantrolene can result in life-threatening arrhythmias and cardiac arrest, and so, must be avoided. Dantrolene could interact with a number of other medications and can precipitate serious reactions. If you are being newly started on dantrolene, discuss with your physician regarding all other medications you are currently taking and their safety with dantrolene. Also, if you have been taking dantrolene for long, discuss with your physician regarding your history of dantrolene intake, when you are being started on any new medication.
