Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Chlorzoxazone as follows:
Cardiovascular side-effects
- Chlorzoxazone use can result in fast and pounding heartbeat. Individuals with history of cardiac arrhythmias can be at increased risk for precipitation of arrhythmic episodes with chlorzoxazone use.
- Individuals taking chlorzoxazone must be increasingly watchful to report worsening symptoms of arrhythmias, such as, chest pain, low blood pressure, confusion, dizziness, increasing shortness of breath, and worsening fatigue.
- Hypotension and confusion, secondary to chlorzoxazone intake, can contribute to significantly increased risk for fall and accidents.
Respiratory depression
- Chlorzoxazone, especially when taken in high doses, can lead to depression of respiratory center in the brain and consequently cause exacerbation of SOB, and difficult breathing.
- This risk with chlorzoxazone can be even high when it is taken along with any other products and medications causing central nervous depression, such as, alcohol, antidepressants, antianxiety medications, and sedatives.
- Individuals with history of breathing disorders, such as, asthma, emphysema, and COPD, are at increased risk for presentation with severe debility due to respiratory arrest from chlorzoxazone intake.
Addiction and withdrawal
- Chlorzoxazone has some potential for addiction, especially after prolonged use and/or in individuals with history of substance/drug abuse. Individuals on sudden withdrawal from chlorzoxazone, especially after prolonged use or use in high doses, can present with unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, such as, listlessness, lack of energy, exacerbation of depressive symptoms and anxiety in individuals with history, agitation, sleep disturbances, confusion, appetite changes, delusions, hallucinations, mania, rebound bad muscle spasms, and seizures. Discontinuation on chlorzoxazone use must be slow and gradual, using tapering doses, and only on your physician recommendation.
