Indications
Orphenadrine Citrate is a muscle relaxant. It is used, together with rest and physiotherapy, for short-term relief of pain and stiffness from muscle spasm, such as acute back pain, neck pain, sprains and strains. It is sometimes combined with Paracetamol for added pain relief.
How It Works
Orphenadrine acts on the brain and spinal cord to reduce the nerve signals that keep muscles tight. It also has anticholinergic action (it blocks a nerve chemical called acetylcholine) and a mild pain-relieving effect. Together these help relax the muscle and ease pain.
Dosage and Administration
The usual adult dose of the 100 mg modified-release tablet is 1 tablet twice daily, morning and evening, or as prescribed. Swallow the tablet whole; do not crush or chew it. For combination tablets with Paracetamol, follow the doctor’s directions and the label, and do not take other Paracetamol products at the same time. It is meant for short-term use. Not recommended for children.
Interactions
- Alcohol, sleeping tablets, sedating antihistamines, opioid painkillers and other medicines that cause drowsiness: drowsiness may increase.
- Other anticholinergic medicines (e.g. Amitriptyline, Chlorpromazine, some antihistamines, medicines for bladder or Parkinson’s disease): dry mouth, constipation, confusion and urine retention may increase.
- Propoxyphene: confusion, anxiety and tremor have been reported.
Contraindications
Do not use if you have glaucoma (raised eye pressure, especially narrow-angle), an enlarged prostate or difficulty passing urine, blockage of the stomach or bowel, myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakness disease), a stomach ulcer causing narrowing, or allergy to Orphenadrine.
Side Effects
Common side effects include dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, constipation and difficulty passing urine. Less often there may be fast heartbeat, headache, confusion (especially in older people), restlessness or skin rash.
Get urgent medical help if you cannot pass urine, have severe eye pain with blurred vision, a very fast or irregular heartbeat, hallucinations or severe confusion, or signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling of the face or difficulty breathing.
Pregnancy and Lactation
Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been well established. Use only if your doctor decides the benefit outweighs the risk.
Precautions and Warnings
- It may cause drowsiness and blurred vision; do not drive or operate machinery if affected.
- Use with caution in older people and in those with heart disease, fast heart rate or kidney or liver problems.
- Avoid alcohol while taking it.
- Use for the shortest time needed.
Overdose
Overdose can be serious and may cause severe dry mouth, dilated pupils, hot dry skin, fast or irregular heartbeat, confusion, agitation, fits and coma. Get emergency medical help straight away.
Therapeutic Class
Centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant.
Storage
Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from light and out of the reach of children.
Prepared by the Oshud Alo team from standard drug references. For information only; always follow your doctor's advice.