Dantrolene Sodium
Also known as: Dantrium, Danlene, Dantamacrin, Dantralen, Dantrolen
* **Expected Effects:** Dantrolene can cause mild gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, lack of appetite), increased urinary frequency, and sedation (drowsiness or weakness). * **Liver Warning:** Rarely, dantrolene can cause liver toxicity. **Contact your veterinarian immediately** if your pet develops persistent vomiting, loss of appetite, unexplained profound lethargy, or yellowish discoloration of the whites of the eyes or gums (jaundice). * **Administration:** Intravenous use of this drug should only be performed by veterinary professionals familiar with its use and monitoring requirements.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Treatment of functional urethral obstruction due to increased external urethral tone
- Treatment of functional urethral obstruction due to increased external urethral tone
- Treatment of functional urethral obstruction due to increased external urethral tone
- Treatment of functional urethral obstruction due to increased external urethral tone
- Treatment of acute rhabdomyolysis
- Treatment of acute rhabdomyolysis
- Prevention of recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis in Thoroughbreds
- Prevention of rhabdomyolysis
- Prevention of rhabdomyolysis
- Prevention of rhabdomyolysis
- Prevention of rhabdomyolysis
- Prevention of post-anesthetic myositis (PAM)
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Weakness
- Sedation
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Increased urinary frequency
- Hypotension
- Hepatotoxicity (especially with chronic use)
Cautions & contraindications
- Preexisting liver disease (use with extreme caution)
- Severe cardiac dysfunction (use with caution)
- Pulmonary disease (use with caution)
- > **Hepatotoxicity Warning:** Dantrolene can cause hepatotoxicity. It should be used with extreme caution in patients with preexisting liver disease. Monitor liver enzymes closely during chronic therapy. * Use with caution in patients with severe cardiac dysfunction or pulmonary disease. * **Pregnancy:** FDA Category C (human); Papich Class C (veterinary). Use cautiously as a last resort when benefits clearly outweigh risks. * **Nursing:** Distributed into milk; safe use cannot be assured during nursing.
Drug interactions
- Benzodiazepines & other CNS depressants: Increased sedation may be seen if tranquilizing agents are used concomitantly.
- Calcium-Channel Blockers: Rare reports of cardiovascular collapse in humans; concomitant use during malignant hyperthermia crises is not recommended.
- Estrogens: Increased risks of hepatotoxicity have been seen in women >35 years of age; veterinary significance is unknown.
- Warfarin: Dantrolene may be displaced from plasma proteins by warfarin, resulting in increased effects or adverse reactions.
Frequently asked questions
What is Dantrolene Sodium used for in pets?
* **Expected Effects:** Dantrolene can cause mild gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, lack of appetite), increased urinary frequency, and sedation (drowsiness or weakness). * **Liver Warning:** Rarely, dantrolene can cause liver toxicity. **Contact your veterinarian immediately** if your pet develops persistent vomiting, loss of appetite, unexplained profound lethargy, or yellowish discoloration of the whites of the eyes or gums (jaundice). * **Administration:** Intravenous use of this drug should only be performed by veterinary professionals familiar with its use and monitoring requirements.
Is Dantrolene Sodium safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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