Skip to content

Orphenadrine

    Brands

    DEA Class; Rx

    Common Brand Names; Albenza

    • Skeletal Muscle Relaxants

    Oral/parenteral centrally acting muscle relaxant; analog of diphenhydramine used primarily as adjunct therapy for acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions.

    Indicated for muscle spasm and relief of discomfort associated with acute painful musculoskeletal conditions

    Other Indications & Uses

    Off-label: Leg cramps resistant to quinine, Parkinson’s disease

    Hypersensitivity

    Narrow-angle glaucoma

    Pyloric/duodenal obstruction, BPH, stenosing peptic ulcers, cardiospasm (mega-esophagus), myasthenia gravis, obstructive uropathy, paralytic ileus, ulcerative colitis, toxic megacolon, achalasia

    • Dry mouth
    • Urinary retention
    • Blurred vision, mydriasis
    • Drowsiness
    • Headache
    • Weakness
    • Increased IOP
    • Palpitation
    • Tachycardia
    • GI disturbances
    • CNS stimulation (restlessness, agitation, insomnia, mental confusion)
    • Lightheadedness
    • Dizziness
    • Syncope
    • Pruritus
    • Urticarial rash
    • Tremor
    • Anaphylactic reactions
    • Aplastic anemia

    Use caution in patients with diarrhea, partial obstructive uropathy, open-angle glaucoma, cardiovascular disease, hepatic/renal impairment, thyrotoxicosis, history of drug abuse or acute alcoholism

    Some patients may experience transient episodes of light-headedness, dizziness or syncope; drug may impair ability of patient to engage in potentially hazardous activities such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle; ambulatory patients should be cautioned

    May take with food to avoid stomach upset

    Use with caution in patients with tachycardia, cardiac decompensation, coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias

    Injectable form contains sulfites, & precipitates anaphylactic-type reactions in sensitive or asthmatic individuals

    Safety of continuous long-term therapy not established; if orphenadrine is prescribed for prolonged use, periodic monitoring of blood, urine and liver function values is recommended

    Pregnancy Category: C

    Lactation: no data

    Adults

    200 mg/day PO; 120 mg/day IV/IM.

    Elderly

    200 mg/day PO; 120 mg/day IV/IM.

    Adolescents

    Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Children

    Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Orphenadrine citrate

    injectable solution

    • 30mg/mL

    tablet, extended release

    • 100mg