Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking skelaxin as follows:
- Skelaxin intake can sometimes result in breakdown of red blood cells in the circulation. Patients can present with symptoms of anemia, such as pale skin and mucous membranes, exacerbation of shortness of breath, dizziness due to reduced oxygen supply to the brain, and weakness. Damaged red blood cells also contribute to elevated bilirubin pigment in the blood, thus contributing to findings of jaundice, such as, itching, dark urine, yellowing of skin and white of the eyes, nausea and vomiting, poor metabolism, and fatigue. Closely observe for any symptoms of worsening anemia and jaundice, to report them to your physician immediately, for appropriate changes in the plan of care to be considered.
- Skelaxin can take some time, about a week or two, 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.
- Skelaxin only helps with relieving muscle spasms, but does not fix the actual condition causing the muscle spasms and so, is not a permanent cure. Continue taking skelaxin as ordered, even if you experience relief from muscle pain and spasms, until your physician orders for the discontinuation on the medication. Abrupt discontinuation on skelaxin intake can result in more severe side-effects and worsening muscle spasms again. Discontinuation on skelaxin use must only be on your physician recommendation.
- Your physician could change the dose of skelaxin, based on the response you show, relief obtained, and side-effects presented with. So, maintain compliance with follow-up physician appointments and be accommodative to the plan of dose changes, until you show an optimum response.
