Norflex

Generic Name: orphenadrine (or FEN a drin)

Brand Names: Norflex

What is Norflex (orphenadrine)?

Orphenadrine is a muscle relaxant. It works by blocking nerve impulses (or pain sensations) that are sent to your brain.

Orphenadrine is used together with rest and physical therapy to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain or injury.

Orphenadrine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Norflex (orphenadrine)?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to orphenadrine, or if you have problems with urination, an enlarged prostate, glaucoma, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, trouble swallowing, or myasthenia gravis. Do not crush, chew, or break the extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. Breaking or crushing the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time. Orphenadrine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Orphenadrine should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it. Orphenadrine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of orphenadrine.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Norflex (orphenadrine)?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to orphenadrine, or if you have:

• 
  

  problems with urination;

  
  


• 
  

  enlarged prostate;

  
  


• 
  

  glaucoma;

  
  


• 
  

  a blockage in your stomach or intestines;

  
  


• 
  

  trouble swallowing; or

  
  


• 
  

  myasthenia gravis.

  
  

Before taking orphenadrine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• 
  

  heart disease;

  
  


• 
  

  a heart rhythm disorder; or

  
  


• 
  

  coronary artery disease.

  
  

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take orphenadrine.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether orphenadrine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Norflex (orphenadrine)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break the extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. Breaking or crushing the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

Orphenadrine is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include rest, physical therapy, or other pain relief measures. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Orphenadrine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Orphenadrine should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it. Store orphenadrine at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of orphenadrine can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include blurred vision, fast heart rate, confusion, weak or shallow breathing, cold or clammy skin, feeling like you might pass out, or seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking Norflex (orphenadrine)?

Orphenadrine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of orphenadrine. Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by orphenadrine. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines, or any other muscle relaxer.

Norflex (orphenadrine) side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using orphenadrine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• 
  

  fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;

  
  


• 
  

  confusion, anxiety, agitation, tremors, hallucinations;

  
  


• 
  

  seizure (convulsions); or

  
  


• 
  

  urinating less than usual or not at all.

  
  

Less serious side effects may include:

• 
  

  dry mouth or throat;

  
  


• 
  

  blurred vision, dilated pupils;

  
  


• 
  

  headache;

  
  


• 
  

  drowsiness, dizziness;

  
  


• 
  

  nausea, vomiting, constipation; or

  
  


• 
  

  weakness.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Norflex (orphenadrine)?

Before taking orphenadrine, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• 
  

  atropine (Donnatal, and others), benztropine (Cogentin), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), methscopolamine (Pamine), or scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);

  
  


• 
  

  bronchodilators such as ipratroprium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva);

  
  


• 
  

  glycopyrrolate (Robinul);

  
  


• 
  

  mepenzolate (Cantil);

  
  


• 
  

  bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin (Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), tolterodine (Detrol), or solifenacin (Vesicare); or

  
  


• 
  

  irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others), or propantheline (Pro-Banthine).

  
  

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with orphenadrine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Norflex resources

• Norflex Side Effects (in more detail)
• Norflex Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Norflex Drug Interactions
• Norflex Support Group
• 5 Reviews for Norflex - Add your own review/rating

• Norflex Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Norflex Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Norflex Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Norflex MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Antiflex Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Compare Norflex with other medications

• Migraine
• Muscle Spasm

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about orphenadrine.

See also: Norflex side effects (in more detail)