Norflex

Generic Name: orphenadrine
Other Brand Names: orphenadrine

What is orphenadrine?

Orphenadrine is a muscle relaxant. It works by blocking nerve impulses (or pain sensations) that are sent to your brain.

Orphenadrine is used, along with rest and physical therapy, to treat injuries and other painful muscular conditions.

Although it has not been approved by the FDA for this purpose, orphenadrine has also been used to treat nighttime leg cramps that have not responded to other medicines.

Orphenadrine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking orphenadrine?

Do not take orphenadrine if you have

  • glaucoma,

  • an obstruction or an ulcer in your stomach,

  • an enlarged prostate or a blockage in your urinary tract (difficulty urinating), or

  • myasthenia gravis.

Before taking orphenadrine, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or heart disease. You may need a lower dose or special monitoring during your therapy.

It is not known whether orphenadrine will harm an unborn baby. Do not take orphenadrine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is also not known whether orphenadrine passes into breast milk. Do not take orphenadrine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Orphenadrine is not approved for use in children.

How should I take orphenadrine?

Take orphenadrine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Orphenadrine is usually taken two tablets per day; one in the morning and one in the evening. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

Do not crush or chew the extended-release tablets. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release slowly in your body.

Store orphenadrine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose of orphenadrine?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

Where can I get more information about orphenadrine?
Your pharmacist has information about orphenadrine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of orphenadrine?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking orphenadrine and seek emergency medical attention:

  • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

  • an irregular or a very fast heartbeat; or

  • confusion, hallucinations, or abnormal behavior.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take orphenadrine and talk to your doctor if you experience

  • dry mouth;

  • drowsiness or dizziness;

  • headache;

  • tremor;

  • blurred vision or large pupils;

  • difficulty urinating;

  • dry mouth; or

  • nausea, stomach upset, or constipation.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What is the most important information I should know about orphenadrine?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Orphenadrine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking orphenadrine.

Do not crush or chew the extended-release tablets. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release slowly in your body.

What should I avoid while taking orphenadrine?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Orphenadrine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking orphenadrine.

What other drugs will affect orphenadrine?

Tell your doctor if you are taking amantadine (Symmetrel) before starting orphenadrine therapy. Orphenadrine and amantadine (Symmetrel) can both cause side effects such as dry mouth, difficulty urinating, constipation, blurred vision, and others. Together, these side effects may be more pronounced.

Many drugs can increase the effects of orphenadrine, which can lead to heavy sedation. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

  • antihistamines such as brompheniramine (Dimetane, Bromfed, others), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, Teldrin, others), azatadine (Optimine), clemastine (Tavist), and many others;

  • narcotics (pain killers) such as meperidine (Demerol), morphine (MS Contin, MSIR, others), propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet), hydrocodone (Lorcet, Vicodin), oxycodone (Percocet, Percodan), fentanyl (Duragesic), and codeine (Fiorinal, Fioricet, Tylenol #3, others);

  • sedatives such as phenobarbital (Solfoton, Luminal), amobarbital (Amytal), and secobarbital (Seconal);

  • phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), and trifluoperazine (Stelazine); or

  • antidepressants such as doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with orphenadrine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

What happens if I have an overdose of orphenadrine?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a orphenadrine overdose include seizures, an irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure (dizziness, fainting), cold, clammy skin, confusion, and coma. Death can occur in 3 to 5 hours.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008