Important: This page is general information, not medical advice. It does not recommend or prescribe any treatment. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
Quick facts
- Drug class
- Muscle Relaxant [EPC]
- How it is given
- oral
- Type
- human prescription drug
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Metaxalone is 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. Metaxalone does not directly relax tense skeletal muscles in man.
About this medicine
DESCRIPTION Metaxalone Tablets, USP are available as an 800 mg, capsule shaped, scored pink tablet. Chemically, metaxalone, USP is 5-[(3,5-dimethylphenoxy)methyl]-2-oxazolidinone. The empirical formula is C 12 H 15 NO 3 , which corresponds to a molecular weight of 221.25. The structural formula is: Metaxalone, USP is a white to almost white, crystalline powder freely soluble in dichloromethane, soluble in methanol, sparingly soluble in ethanol and ethyl acetate, slightly soluble in toluene and isopropanol, insoluble in water and n -hexane. Each tablet contains 800 mg metaxalone, USP and the following inactive ingredients: alginic acid, corn starch, ferric oxide red, copovidone, magnesium stearate, povidone, pregelatinized starch, sodium alginate. Metaxalone 800 mg - Chemical Structure
How it works
Mechanism of Action: The mechanism of action of metaxalone in humans has not been established, but may be due to general central nervous system (CNS) depression. Metaxalone has no direct action on the contractile mechanism of striated muscle, the motor end plate, or the nerve fiber.
Who should not take it
CONTRAINDICATIONS Known hypersensitivity to any components of this product. Known tendency to drug induced, hemolytic, or other anemias. Significantly impaired renal or hepatic function.
Warnings
WARNINGS Serotonin Syndrome Cases of serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition, have been reported during concomitant use of serotonergic drugs with metaxalone used within the recommended dosage range (see PRECAUTIONS: Drug Interactions ) and with metaxalone as a single agent taken at doses higher than the recommended dose (see OVERDOSAGE). Serotonergic drugs include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), triptans, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, opioids (particularly fentanyl, meperidine, and methadone), drugs that affect the serotonergic neurotransmitter system (e.g., mirtazapine, trazodone, tramadol), and drugs that impair metabolism of serotonin (including monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, both those intended to treat psychiatric disorders and also others, such as linezolid and intravenous methylene blue) (see PRECAUTIONS: Drug Interactions ). Serotonin syndrome symptoms may include mental status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, hyperthermia), neuromuscular aberrations (e.g., hyperreflexia, incoordination, rigidity), and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). The onset of symptoms generally occurs within several hours to a few days, but may occur later than that. Discontinue metaxalone if serotonin syndrome is suspected. Risks from Concomitant Use with Alcohol or other CNS Depressants The sedative effects of metaxalone and other CNS depressants (e.g., alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)) may be additive. Exercise caution with patients who take more than one of these CNS depressants simultaneously. Follow patients closely for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation (see PRECAUTIONS: Drug Interactions ).
Reported side effects
ADVERSE REACTIONS The most frequent reactions to metaxalone include: CNS: drowsiness, dizziness, headache, and nervousness or “irritability”; Digestive: nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal upset. Other adverse reactions are: Immune System: anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity reaction, rash with or without pruritus; Hematologic: leukopenia; hemolytic anemia; Hepatobiliary: jaundice. CNS: cases of serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition, have been reported during concomitant use of serotonergic drugs with metaxalone used within the recommended dosage range and with metaxalone as a single agent taken at doses higher than the recommended dose (see WARNINGS , PRECAUTIONS: Drug Interactions , and OVERDOSAGE ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact SCIEGEN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., at 1-855-724-3436 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or http://www.fda.gov/medwatch
Interactions with other medicines
Drug Interactions CNS Depressants: The sedative effects of metaxalone and other CNS depressants (e.g., alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)) may be additive. Exercise caution with patients who take more than one of these CNS depressants simultaneously. Follow patients closely for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation (see WARNINGS ). Serotonergic Drugs: Serotonin syndrome has resulted from concomitant use of serotonergic drugs with metaxalone used within the recommended dosage range (see WARNINGS ). If concomitant use is warranted, carefully observe the patient, particularly during treatment initiation and dose adjustment. Discontinue metaxalone if serotonin syndrome is suspected. Examples of serotonergic drugs include: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), triptans, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, opioids (particularly fentanyl, meperidine, and methadone), drugs that affect the serotonin neurotransmitter system (e.g., mirtazapine, trazodone, tramadol), monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (those intended to treat psychiatric disorders and also others, such as linezolid and intravenous methylene blue).
If too much is taken
OVERDOSAGE Deaths by deliberate or accidental overdose have occurred with metaxalone, particularly in combination with antidepressants, and have been reported with this class of drug in combination with alcohol. Serotonin syndrome has been reported when metaxalone was used at doses higher than the recommended dose (see WARNINGS and ADVERSE REACTIONS ). When determining the LD 50 in rats and mice, progressive sedation, hypnosis and finally respiratory failure were noted as the dosage increased. In dogs, no LD 50 could be determined as the higher doses produced an emetic action in 15 to 30 minutes. Treatment - Gastric lavage and supportive therapy. Consultation with a regional poison control center is recommended.
Before you take anything new
Tell your pharmacist or doctor about every medicine you take — including ones bought without a prescription, herbal products and supplements. Interactions are one of the most common avoidable causes of harm from medicines, and a pharmacist can check your full list in a couple of minutes.
This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 24 July 2026. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.