Function

• Some doctors have prescribed Skelaxin as a means of alleviating the pain associated with fibromyalgia. It is not clear how Skelaxin provides relief for fibromyalgia sufferers. The drug has no direct effect on tense skeletal muscles, so it is believed that it is Skelaxin's sedative effect that provides relief.
  
  

Considerations

• As of 2007 there were no drugs that had received FDA approval for the treatment of fibromyalgia. However, numerous studies have shown certain prescription drugs, including muscle relaxants like Skelaxin, to be beneficial to fibromyalgia patients. As a result of these studies, doctors are permitted to prescribe these drugs off-label for their fibromyalgia patients.
  
  

Time Frame

• Skelaxin should only be taken for the treatment of fibromyalgia on the recommendation of a physician. It is not intended as a long-term-maintenance drug. If relief is not obtained with three weeks, the patient should consult with his or her physician.
  
  

Side Effects

• Some patients taking Skelaxin have reported serious cases of allergic reaction including facial swelling, difficulty breathing and hives. These conditions may require medical attention and should be reported to the patient's doctor as soon as possible. Less serious side effects have been reported as well, including nausea, fever, discolored urine or stools, jaundice, rash, headache, irritability and dizziness.
  
  

Warning

• Taking Skelaxin can impair both the thought processes and physical reactions of patients. A common side effect of Skelaxin is drowsiness, so patients should not drive, operate machinery or be involved in any activity that requires alertness. Taking Skelaxin along with alcohol, cold medications, depression medications and certain other medicines can increase the patient's drowsiness.