Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking dantrolene as follows:
- Dantrolene can also induce hepatic dysfunction and liver toxicity, leading to fatal liver failure. Individuals can present with symptoms of liver failure, such as, jaundice with yellowing of skin and eyes, itching of skin, upper right abdominal pain, abdominal distension, nausea and vomiting, confusion and disorientation, fluid retention in the body with swelling, and compromised appetite. Dantrolene could best be avoided for a safer alternative or used with extra caution with close watch for signs and symptoms of liver failure in individuals with history of compromised liver function.
- It is not clear if dantrolene could cross the placenta in pregnant women. It is also unclear if dantrolene could pass through the breast milk into a nursing baby, thereby harming the baby. Women in the child-bearing age group taking dantrolene must seek her physician consult, if she plans on getting pregnant. Mothers breastfeeding their infants and taking dantrolene regularly must double check with their physician regarding safety of the infant with dantrolene.
- Dantrolene could take some time to fairly adjust to your body, before any optimal relief with muscle spasms and easing of side-effects is experienced. So, do not discontinue taking the medication without your physician’s consult, as you failed to see the desired result immediately after taking the medication.
- Dantrolene only helps with relieving muscle spasms, by reducing the availability of calcium ions much needed for muscle contraction. Dantrolene only temporarily relieves the spasms but does not fix the actual condition causing the muscle spasms and so, could not a permanent cure. Continue taking dantrolene as ordered, even if you experience relief from muscle pain and spasms, until your physician orders for the discontinuation on the medication.
- If you miss a dose, try taking it at the earliest notice of noncompliance. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the dose scheduled. Do not take an extra dose to try making up for the missed dose, which can result in toxicity. Notify your doctor and other health care personnel regarding your dose noncompliance.
