Pediatric Movement Disorders - Treatments

Dantrolene

Dantrolene (Dantrium®) is a direct muscle relaxant that blocks calcium from signaling muscles to contract. It is occasionally used in children with severe spasticity, usually in combination with baclofen or other medications. In some cases, dantrolene has been reported to be useful for hospitalized children who experience brief episodes of very severe dystonic spasms. Dantrolene is also used to treat malignant hyperthermia, a rare but dangerous side effect of anesthesia, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a rare but dangerous complication of neuroleptic medications. Over a long period of time, dantrolene may cause a change in the muscle fiber type to more rapidly fatiguing fibers. It may also cause gastrointestinal or liver disease, in addition to mild drowsiness and nausea.