Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking norflex as follows:
- Norflex use can result in difficulty with the flow of fluid in the eye that helps to maintain the eye pressure. This can contribute to increased pressure in the eye. Poor control of eye pressure can lead to retinal damage and blurred vision. Norflex could be avoided for a safer alternative in individuals with history of glaucoma. Individuals with history of glaucoma (elevated eye pressure) must be aware of this side-effect in case of norflex use. Such individuals must promptly report to the physician regarding any headaches, eye pain, and vision disturbances. Individuals taking norflex must observe compliance with periodical vision exam for early detection of any retinal damage and blurring of vision.
- It is not clear if norflex could cross the placenta in pregnant women. It is also unclear if norflex could pass through the breast milk into a nursing baby, thereby harming the baby. Women in the child-bearing age group taking norflex must seek her physician consult, if she plans on getting pregnant. Mothers breastfeeding their infants and taking norflex regularly must double check with their physician regarding safety of the infant with norflex.
- Norflex 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.
- Norflex only helps with relieving muscle spasms, probably by depressing the brain and inhibiting the conduction of nerve impulses from the brain and spinal cord to the skeletal muscles. Norflex only temporarily relieves the spasms but does not fix the actual condition causing the muscle spasms and so, is not a permanent cure. Continue taking norflex as ordered, even if you experience relief from muscle pain and spasms, until your physician orders for the discontinuation on the medication.
