What does skelaxin do?

If you’re wondering what skelaxin does, you’re not alone! This muscle relaxer is commonly used to relieve pain and discomfort caused by tension headaches, sprains, strains, and other musculoskeletal conditions. But how exactly does it work? Read on to find out!

The Science Behind Skelaxin

First things first – let’s get nerdy for a moment. Skelaxin’s active ingredient is called metaxalone (say that five times fast), which belongs to a class of drugs known as central nervous system (CNS) depressants. That’s right, skelaxin is basically the life of the party…if the party were your stiff and achy muscles.

Metaxalone works by suppressing certain nerve impulses in your brain and spinal cord that cause muscle spasms and tightness. In other words, it tells your body to chill TF out so you can finally relax those tense muscles.

Why You Might Need Skelaxin

There are several reasons why someone might be prescribed skelaxin:

1. Muscle Sprains/Strains

You know when you go HAM at the gym or decide to lift something heavy without proper form? Your muscles probably hate you afterwards. That kind of overexertion can lead to sprains or strains – injuries where your muscles are stretched or torn beyond their normal limits.

2. Tension Headaches

Do you carry stress in your neck and shoulders like an overpacked backpack? That chronic tension can cause headaches that feel like vultures pecking at your temples all day long.

3. Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread pain throughout the body along with fatigue, sleep disturbances, and mood issues (sad trombone). While there’s no cure for fibromyalgia, medications can help manage symptoms.

4. Other Musculoskeletal Conditions

Skelaxin may also be used to treat conditions like osteoarthritis or herniated discs that cause pain and stiffness in your muscles and joints.

The Dosage Lowdown

If you’ve been prescribed skelaxin, your doctor will give you specific instructions on how much to take and when. However, here are some general dosage guidelines:

  • Adults: 800 mg taken three times a day
  • Children (under 12 years old): not recommended
  • Elderly patients: lower doses may be necessary due to decreased liver/kidney function

Take skelaxin with food if it upsets your stomach, but avoid alcohol while taking this medication as it can increase drowsiness/dizziness. Also, pay attention if you have any side effects and contact your doctor immediately if they persist.

Sigh. Yes, skelaxin – like most drugs – comes with potential side effects. Here are the main ones:

Drowsiness/Dizziness

You know that feeling when you’re trying to concentrate but your brain is basically a bag of mashed potatoes? Yeah…that’s what happens when skelaxin hits its peak between two to four hours after you take it (yawn). Until you know how skelaxin affects YOU personally, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery (beep beep boop) until things clear up.

Nausea/Vomiting

Some people experience upset stomachs while taking skelaxin. Taking it with food helps reduce the chance of this happening. If nausea/vomiting becomes severe or persistent though, contact your doctor!

Allergic Reactions/Hives

In rare cases (crosses fingers) people can develop allergic reactions upon taking skelaxin – including hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling in the face/tongue/throat. If you experience any of these symptoms seek medical attention immediately.

Special Considerations

There are a few other things to keep in mind if you’re taking skelaxin:

1. Get Your Liver Checked

Skelaxin is primarily metabolized by your liver, so make sure it’s functioning normally before taking this medication for an extended period of time. Otherwise, your body might have trouble clearing it properly.

2. Interactions With Other Drugs/Alcohol

Remember how we said to avoid alcohol while taking skelaxin? The same goes for certain prescription and over-the-counter drugs like antihistamines or tranquilizers that can increase drowsiness/dizziness.

3. Pregnancy/Breastfeeding

Bad news bears, folks: there isn’t enough evidence to determine whether or not skelaxin is safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding (the horror). Discuss possible risks with your doctor beforehand.

If you’re dealing with any of the conditions listed earlier (or others that involve muscle pain), consider giving skelaxin a try! But remember – all drugs come with potential side effects, so monitor yourself closely and adjust accordingly under the guidance of your doctor.

Just think…with some help from good ol’ Skelly, those kinks in your neck/body/back may soon be nothing but forgotten memories….and we can all get back to living our best lives #blessed 💪😎🙌

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