Dantrolene

Patients who have muscle spasms, especially patients with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy, sometimes take Dantrolene to control this problem. Dantrolene relaxes the muscles so they are less prone to spasms.

Warnings/Side Effects

Dantrolene can cause serious liver damage. Patients who already suffer from liver disease should not take this drug. All patients on this drug need to have regular blood tests to ensure their livers are healthy. Symptoms of liver disease include:

• Brown urine
• Jaundice
• Black, tarry stools
• Severe nausea
• Vomiting

Women, especially those over the age of 35, are more likely to suffer from liver disease while on this drug.

Some patients develop hepatitis after being on this drug three to twelve months.