Clinical Drug Experience Knowledgebase

Metaxalone (marketed by King Pharmaceuticals under the brand name Skelaxin) is a muscle relaxant used to relax muscles and relieve pain caused by strains, sprains, and other musculoskeletal conditions. The mechanism of action of metaxalone in humans has not been established, but may be due to general central nervous system depression. Metaxalone has no direct action on the contractile mechanism of striated muscle, the motor end plate, or the nerve fiber. Skelaxin is available in an 800 mg scored tablet. Metaxalone relatively low incidence of side effects. The most common adverse reactions to Metaxalone tablets include drowsiness, dizziness, headache, and nervousness or “irritability”, nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal upset.   ^NCATS