Norflex

Common Name: orphenadrine

How does Norflex work?

Orphenadrine is a muscle relaxant. Muscle tightening or spasms results largely from signals in the nervous system telling the muscles to tighten or contract. Orphenadrine helps to relieve muscle tightening and stiffness by reducing the strength of those signals in the nervous system. Along with appropriate rest, exercise, or physical therapy, muscle relaxants such as orphenadrine are used to help relieve the stiffness, pain, and uncomfortable feelings caused by sprains and strains of the muscles in the neck, back, or other areas of the body. Your doctor may prescribe additional treatments to help your stiff muscles. This medication may be used to treat other conditions not listed here. If you have any questions about why you are taking this medicine, please check with your doctor.

How should I use Norflex?

The recommended oral dose of orphenadrine for adults and teenagers is 100 mg twice daily, in the morning and evening, with or without food. The recommended injectable dose is 60 mg. It is very important to follow the directions exactly as prescribed. Do not take more medication than the doctor has ordered. This medicine should not be taken at the same time as alcohol. If you miss a dose of this medicine and remember within an hour or so, take the medicine as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to you regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses. Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as age, weight or medical conditions. If the dose of medication that your doctor has prescribed is different than the ones listed here, do not change your dose without checking with your doctor. Keep this and other medications out of the reach of children.

What form(s) does Norflex come in?

Norflex® is available as an injection or tablets. Injection: Each 2 mL ampule contains orphenadrine 60 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: sodium bisulfite, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, and water for injection. Tablets: Each white, unscored tablet, imprinted with "3M" on one side and "221" on the other, contains orphenadrine 100 mg in an extended release formulation. Nonmedicinal ingredients: calcium stearate, ethylcellulose, and lactose. This medication does not contain tartrazine.

What should I NOT take with Norflex?

Orphenadrine should not be used by anyone who: is allergic to any of the ingredients of the tablet has stenosing peptic ulcer has enlarged prostate has pyloric or duodenal obstruction has bladder neck obstruction is experiencing cardiospasm has myasthenia gravis has glaucoma

Are there any other precautions or warnings for Norflex?

Occupational hazards: This medication may cause temporary dizziness and lightheadedness. Caution should be exercised if engaging in potentially hazardous activities such as driving or operating machinery. Heart disease: People with conditions such as coronary insufficiency, arrhythmias, and fast heart rate should be cautious while taking orphenadrine, as it may worsen these conditions. Liver disease and kidney disease: Orphenadrine is cleared from the body via the liver and kidneys; therefore, people with liver disease or kidney disease should be cautious while taking orphenadrine, as they may experience increased side effects and toxicity. Contact lenses: Orphenadrine may make the eyes dry, resulting in increased lens awareness or blurred vision for wearers of contact lenses. Pregnancy: Orphenadrine has not been found to cause problems beyond normal side effects in pregnancy. Nonetheless, it should be used during pregnancy only if potential benefits outweigh risks. Breast-feeding: It is not known whether orphenadrine passes into breast milk. It should not be used while breast-feeding unless potential benefits outweigh risks to the infant. Children: There have been no studies done to look at the effects of orphenadrine on children. Therefore, it should be used by children only on the specific advice of a doctor.