Skelaxin

Introduction

Written by Helen Marshall BPharm MRPharmS
Medically reviewed by Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD
Updated on August 9, 2023

Metaxalone (me TAKS a lone) is a generic medication prescribed for treating short-term muscle pain in adults and some children. Metaxalone belongs to a group of drugs called muscle relaxants.

Side effects of metaxalone

Metaxalone may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of metaxalone and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about metaxalone’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for metaxalone listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with metaxalone are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about metaxalone’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for metaxalone listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects bother you, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Metaxalone oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• sleepiness
• dizziness
• headache
• upset stomach
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for metaxalone” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of metaxalone are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about metaxalone’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for metaxalone listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Metaxalone’s serious side effects include:

• serotonin syndrome (a serious condition caused by a buildup of serotonin in the body)
• central nervous system depression (slowed activity in the brain and spinal cord)
• jaundice (yellow coloring of the skin or whites of the eyes)
• blood cell disorders, such as low numbers of red or white blood cells
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for metaxalone” section.

Common questions about metaxalone

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about metaxalone.

What brand names are available for metaxalone?

Metaxalone used to be available as the brand-name medication Skelaxin. However, the manufacturer discontinued the drug. Metaxalone is currently only available as a generic medication.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less than brand-name drugs.

If you have questions about metaxalone treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Is metaxalone a ‘narcotic’?

No, metaxalone isn’t a narcotic. It’s a muscle relaxant.

“Narcotic” is a term used to describe opioid or opiate drugs, such as morphine and hydrocodone. These drugs are strong pain relievers that doctors may prescribe for muscle pain. Narcotics work by blocking pain signals in your brain.

Metaxalone is also prescribed for muscle pain. But it works in a different way from a narcotic. It works by relaxing your muscles. For details, see the question just below.

Narcotics are controlled substances (drugs the government regulates). This is because they have a high risk of misuse and addiction. (With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed.) Metaxalone doesn’t have a high risk of misuse or addiction and isn’t a controlled substance.

To learn more about how metaxalone and narcotics compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How does metaxalone work? And how long does it take to start working?

Doctors don’t fully understand how metaxalone works. However, it’s thought to reduce certain nerve signals between your central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and muscles. This relaxes your muscles, which helps relieve muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain.

Metaxalone usually starts working about 1 hour after taking a dose, but it may take up to 3 hours to have its full effect.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Uses of metaxalone

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as metaxalone for certain conditions. Approved uses for metaxalone are described below.

Use for relaxing muscles

Doctors may prescribe metaxalone oral tablet for relieving pain and discomfort caused by acute (short-term) musculoskeletal conditions. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children ages 13 years and older. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

Acute musculoskeletal conditions may affect your muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, or joints. They’re usually caused by overuse or injury, such as a strain or sprain. With these conditions, you may have sudden pain and discomfort. You may also have muscle spasms, tightness, and stiffness. Your symptoms usually ease over a few weeks as the affected area heals.

Metaxalone is a medication that relaxes your muscles. This helps to relieve muscle pain and related symptoms caused by acute overuse or injury.

Metaxalone is used along with other treatments for managing acute musculoskeletal conditions. These may include RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) and physical therapy.

Interactions and warnings for metaxalone

Below, you’ll find information about metaxalone’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of metaxalone

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol* or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take metaxalone, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for metaxalone” section below.

* It’s recommended that you avoid drinking alcohol while taking metaxalone. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about avoiding alcohol during metaxalone treatment.

Warnings for metaxalone

Some people should not take metaxalone, and others should take it cautiously.

Metaxalone could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether metaxalone is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for metaxalone, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Metaxalone can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to metaxalone or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe metaxalone. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to metaxalone, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of metaxalone

You should not take more metaxalone than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much metaxalone, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and metaxalone

Information about metaxalone and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Metaxalone and pregnancy

It’s not known whether metaxalone should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Metaxalone and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether metaxalone should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know whether you have questions about metaxalone or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Is metaxalone safe for older adults (ages 65 years and older)?
• Can I take metaxalone with other pain relievers such as tramadol?
• For how long should I take metaxalone?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Metaxalone tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/f27ca677-f0cc-4710-bd94-ff1bf0d916cb/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.