Adult Dosing
Acute malignant hyperthermia
- 2.5 mg/kg IV PRN up to 10 mg/kg, then 1 mg/kg IV q4-6 hrs x 24-48 hrs
Prevention of malignant hyperthermia
- 2.5 mg/kg IV one and quarter hrs before anesthesia; infusion lasts 1 hr
Pediatric Dosing
Acute malignant hyperthermia
- 2.5 mg/kg IV PRN up to 10 mg/kg, then 1 mg/kg IV q4-6 hrs x 24-48 hrs
Prevention of malignant hyperthermia
- 2.5 mg/kg IV one and quarter hrs before anesthesia; infusion lasts 1 hr
- Re individualize previously known supportive measures to discontinue the suspect triggering agents for malignant hypothermia. Institute adequate oxygen requirements, manage the metabolic acidosis, institute cooling when necessary, monitor urinary output, and monitor for electrolyte imbalance
- Monitor patients for vital signs because the effect of disease state and other drugs on dantrium related skeletal muscle weakness, including possible respiratory depression, cannot be predicted
- Follow a standard malignant hyperthermia susceptible regimen, including the avoidance of known triggering agents when therapy administered intravenously
- Prevent extravasation of dantrium solution into the surrounding tissues due to the high pH of the intravenous formulation and potential for tissue necrosis
Caution: Use cautiously in
- Renal impairment
- Hepatic impairment
- CNS depressant use
- Alcohol use
- Female patients
- Patients >35 yrs
- Pulmonary impairment
- Impaired cardiac functions
Pregnancy Category:C
Breastfeeding: Because no information is available on the long-term use of dantrolene during breastfeeding, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. This information is based upon LactMed database (available at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT last accessed 2 March 2011). Manufacturer advises discontinuation of drug or discontinuation of nursing, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
