Metassalone Uses, Dosage, Side Effects and more

Metassalone is a moderate to strong muscle relaxant used in the symptomatic treatment of musculoskeletal pain caused by strains, sprains, and other musculoskeletal conditions. It is marketed by King Pharmaceuticals under the brand name Skelaxin®. Its main mechanism of action is thought to involve general central nervous system depression. Metassalone is associated with few side effects and is available as a 800 mg scored tablet.

Metassalone is a skeletal muscle relaxant indicated as an adjunct to rest, physical therapy, and other measures for the relief of discomforts associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions. The mode of action of this drug has not been clearly identified, but may be related to its sedative properties. Metassalone does not directly relax tense skeletal muscles in man.

Trade Name	Metassalone
Availability	Prescription only
Generic	Metaxalone
Metaxalone Other Names	Metassalone, Metaxalon, Metaxalona, Metaxalone, Metaxalonum
Related Drugs	cyclobenzaprine, tizanidine, diazepam, methocarbamol, Flexeril, Soma
Type
Formula	C₁₂H₁₅NO₃
Weight	Average: 221.2524 Monoisotopic: 221.105193351
Groups	Approved
Therapeutic Class
Manufacturer
Available Country
Last Updated:	January 7, 2025 at 1:49 am

Uses

Metassalone is a muscle relaxant used to treat muscle pain or spasm.

For the treatment of painful peripheral musculoskeletal conditions and spasticity from upper motor neuron syndromes.

Metassalone is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Pain

How Metassalone works

The mechanism of action of metaxalone in humans has not been established, but may be due to general central nervous system depression.

Toxicity

LD₅₀=775mg/kg (Rat, oral); LD₅₀=1690 mg/kg (Mouse, oral). When determining the LD₅₀ in rats and mice, progressive sedation, hypnosis and finally respiratoryfailure were noted as the dosage increased. In dogs, no LD₅₀ could be determined as the higher doses produced an emetic action in 15 to 30 minutes. Some adverse events associated with the drug include nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and CNS side effects such as dizziness, headache, and irritability.

Food Interaction

Avoid excessive or chronic alcohol consumption. Alcohol may increase the CNS depressant effects of metaxalone.
Take with or without food. The absorption of metaxalone is increased when taken with food, which may increase CNS depression, especially in the elderly.

[Moderate] GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of CNS-active agents.

Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and
MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving CNS-active agents should be warned of this interaction and advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol.

Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.