Dantrium Intravenous Side Effects

Generic name: dantrolene

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 19, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Dantrium Intravenous Side Effects associated with dantrolene. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Dantrium Intravenous.

Applies to dantrolene: intravenous powder for solution, intravenous powder for suspension.

Other dosage forms:

• oral capsule

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, dantrolene (the active ingredient contained in Dantrium Intravenous) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking dantrolene:

Rare

• blue lips and fingernails
• chest pain
• coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
• difficult, fast, noisy breathing, sometimes with wheezing
• difficulty swallowing
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• hives
• increased sweating
• itching
• pale skin
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• shortness of breath
• skin rash
• swelling in legs and ankles
• tightness in chest
• tissue necrosis
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• wheezing

Incidence not known

• changes in skin color, pain, tenderness, or swelling of foot or leg

Other side effects

Some side effects of dantrolene may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Rare

• flushing or redness of skin
• unusually warm skin

Incidence not known

• drowsiness
• muscle weakness

For healthcare professionals

Applies to dantrolene: intravenous powder for injection, oral capsule.

General

The more commonly reported adverse reactions have included loss of grip strength, leg weakness, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, thrombophlebitis, and injection site reactions.^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): Hepatotoxicity, liver function test abnormalities
• Frequency not reported: Jaundice, hepatitis, hepatic dysfunction including fatal hepatic failure^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Dysphagia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Constipation
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Intestinal obstruction
• Frequency not reported: Abdominal cramps, anorexia, alteration of taste, gastrointestinal bleeding, gastric irritation, diarrhea^[Ref]

Several reports of severe constipation and abdominal distention leading to functional obstruction have been reported. Diarrhea may be severe and may necessitate temporary withdrawal of therapy. If diarrhea recurs, therapy should probably be permanently discontinued.^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Postmarketing reports: Anaphylaxis

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Infusion site pain
• Postmarketing reports: Thrombophlebitis and tissue necrosis^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Abnormal hair growth, acne-like rash, eczematoid eruption, sweating, urticaria, rash, erythema^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Somnolence (up to 17%), dysphonia (13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness, seizure, lightheadedness, drooling^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Mental depression, mental confusion, insomnia, nervousness

Genitourinary

• Frequency not reported: Incontinence, increased urinary frequency, urinary retention, hematuria, crystalluria, nocturia, difficult urination and/or urinary retention, difficult erection

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Flushing
• Common (1% to 10%): Pericarditis, atrioventricular block, tachycardia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Exacerbation of preexisting cardiac insufficiency
• Frequency not reported: Bradycardia, labile blood pressure, erratic blood pressure, heart failure, phlebitis^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Pleural effusion with associated eosinophilia

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): -or- Rare (less than 0.1%):

• Frequency not reported: Feeling of suffocation, respiratory depression, respiratory failure, dyspnea
• Postmarketing reports: Pulmonary edema^[Ref]

Pulmonary edema has developed during treatment of malignant hyperthermia; the contributory effect of the diluent volume and mannitol in these cases is not known.^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Muscular weakness, extremity pain
• Frequency not reported: Myalgia, backache^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Frequency not reported: Aplastic anemia, leukopenia, lymphocytic lymphoma, thrombocytopenia^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Blurred vision
• Frequency not reported: Visual disturbances, diplopia, excessive tearing^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Feeling abnormal
• Frequency not reported: Chills, fever, general malaise^[Ref]

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Transient lowering of GFR and renal plasma flow following 8 weeks of oral therapy

Further information

Dantrium Intravenous side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer