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Orphenadrine ER Coupon - Orphenadrine ER 100mg tablet

orphenadrine ER

Generic Norflex
Used for Musculoskeletal Conditions
Used for Musculoskeletal Conditions

Orphenadrine citrate is a muscle relaxer that's used to relieve muscle pain and discomfort. It's often used together with other pain-relieving methods, such as resting and physical therapy. Orphenadrine is available as a tablet that's taken by mouth as well as an injection that's administered by a healthcare provider for certain situations. Side effects can include dry mouth, headache, and drowsiness. Orphenadrine is a generic medication; its brand-name version, Norflex, is no longer available.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Cydnee Ng, PharmD
reviewer
Allison Gourley, PharmD
Last reviewed on September 11, 2023
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostContraindicationsAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Orphenadrine?

What is Orphenadrine used for?

  • Relief of muscle discomfort from short-term muscle conditions

How Orphenadrine works

Orphenadrine is a muscle relaxant. It's unclear how the medication works, but we know that it doesn't work directly on your muscles. Orphenadrine is thought to relieve muscle pain by working in the nervous system to block nerve signals between your spinal cord and muscles.

Are you looking for information on Orphengesic Forte (orphenadrine / aspirin / caffeine) instead?
When does Orphenadrine start working?
Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Initial effect
Full effect

Drug Facts

Common BrandsNorflex (brand name no longer available)
Drug ClassMuscle relaxant
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the side effects of Orphenadrine?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Dry mouth
  • Sleepiness
  • Headache
  • Dizziness

Other Side Effects

  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Trouble urinating
  • Blurred vision
  • Faster heart rate
  • Weakness

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Accidentally taking too much: fast heartbeat, flushing, extreme sleepiness, hallucinations, changes in vision, distress, confusion
When do Orphenadrine possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Dry mouth
Dizziness
Fast heart rate

Source: DailyMed

More on Orphenadrine side effects

white pills white bottle blue background-1326477993

Common and Serious Side Effects of Orphenadrine You Should Know About

Written by Sandy P. Bonfin, PharmD, BCPS

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

Chest pain

chills

cough

fever

hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)

headache

shortness of breath, troubled breathing, tightness in chest, and/or wheezing

skin rash, hives, itching, or redness

sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth

swollen and/or painful glands

unusual bruising or bleeding

unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach pain

diarrhea

fainting

fast, pounding irregular heartbeat or pulse

glaucoma

joint or muscle pain

nausea

numbness or tingling of face, hands, or feet

redness and soreness of eyes

swelling of feet or lower legs

vomiting

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of Overdose

Blurred vision

confusion, delirium, or hallucinations

constipation

difficult urination

drowsiness

dry eyes, mouth, nose, or throat

eye pain

flushing or redness of face

troubled breathing

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common or rare

Dizziness or lightheadedness

excitement, irritability, nervousness, or restlessness

headache

muscle weakness

unusually large pupils of eyes

Incidence not known

Anxiety

deep or fast breathing with dizziness

itching skin

mental confusion

numbness of feet, hands and around mouth

trembling or shaking of hands or feet shakiness in legs, arms, hands, or feet

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Orphenadrine

thumbs-up

Pros

Taken only twice a day

Can start to work within 1 hour

Available as a lower-cost generic

thumbs-down

Cons

Not a first choice option for short- or long-term pain relief

Not recommended for older adults because of higher risk for side effects

Can't use if you have glaucoma, certain stomach or gut problems, urination or swallowing problems, or nerve problems that affect the muscles

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Orphenadrine

pharmacist

  • Swallow the orphenadrine tablet whole with water; don't crush or cut the tablet. Crushing or cutting the tablet can cause the medication to be released into your body too quickly, which can be harmful.

    • Orphenadrine can make you sleepy or tired. It's important to know how you react to the medication before driving a car or doing anything that requires concentration. For example, you can take orphenadrine at night the first time you take it to see how you react to the medication.

      • It's recommended to avoid drinking alcohol while you're taking orphenadrine. Also avoid taking other medications that can make you tired with orphenadrine. Mixing orphenadrine with these medications or with alcohol can make side effects like sleepiness and tiredness worse and affect your ability to think clearly.

        faqs

        Frequently asked questions about Orphenadrine

        Is orphenadrine a narcotic?
        No, orphenadrine isn't a narcotic. Narcotics typically refer to opioids. Orphenadrine isn't an opioid pain medication. It's considered a muscle relaxer, which is different from an opioid.
        Can I take 200 mg of orphenadrine all at once?
        It's not recommended to take 200 mg (two 100 mg tablets) of orphenadrine all at once. This can be dangerous and lead to serious side effects like vomiting, extreme sleepiness or dizziness, fast heartbeat, changes in vision, distress, and confusion. Make sure to take orphenadrine as instructed by your provider (usually, one 100 mg tablet twice a day). This lowers your risk for these serious side effects.
        Is orphenadrine addictive?
        It's possible. There have been reports of people misusing orphenadrine because of the medication's ability to make people feel good. And misusing orphenadrine (especially for a long time) can lead to addiction. Talk to your provider if you have concerns about this risk.
        Is orphenadrine a painkiller?
        Orphenadrine is a type of painkiller called a muscle relaxant. It helps relieve pain from muscle spasms and other short-term (acute) muscle-related pain.
        How long does orphenadrine take to work?
        Orphenadrine can start to work within 1 hour after you take the medication by mouth. In addition, in a small study, people with muscle cramps related to liver problems who took orphenadrine reported that their muscle cramps didn't last as long and that their pain greatly improved after a month of treatment.
        Can you take orphenadrine and ibuprofen together?
        It's possible to take orphenadrine and ibuprofen (Advil) together because these two medications work differently to relieve pain. In fact, treatment guidelines recommend taking muscle relaxants like orphenadrine in addition to ibuprofen (Advil) if ibuprofen (Advil) alone isn't enough to relieve pain. Keep in mind that ibuprofen (Advil) has its own set of risks. For this reason, it's best to speak with a provider first before taking orphenadrine and ibuprofen (Advil) together to make sure it's safe for you to do so.
        Is orphenadrine safe in pregnancy?
        It isn't known whether orphenadrine can cause harm to your unborn baby when it's taken during pregnancy. Discuss with your provider about the risks and benefits of taking this medication if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant. In general, orphenadrine is typically used during pregnancy only if it's clearly needed. If not, your provider might recommend other muscle relaxants or other pain medications that might be safer for you and your baby.
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        What are the risks and warnings for Orphenadrine?

        Orphenadrine can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

        risk-warning

        Difficulty concentrating

        • Risk factors: Taking other medications that also cause sleepiness or tiredness | Alcohol

          You might briefly feel lightheaded, dizzy, or sleepy while you're taking orphenadrine. These side effects can affect your ability to focus, think, and react. Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other medications that make you tired with orphenadrine because they can make you feel even worse. Also don't do any activities that need your focus, such as driving a car or operating machinery, until you know how this medication affects you. Let your provider know if the lightheadedness, dizziness, or sleepiness from orphenadrine starts to negatively affect your daily life.

          risk-warning

          Use with caution in people with heart problems

          • Risk factors: History of fast or irregular heartbeat | History of heart failure or other heart problems

            Some people taking orphenadrine have had fast or irregular heartbeats. For this reason, tell your provider if you have any heart problems before you start orphenadrine. This medication should be used with caution in people with heart rhythm problems or severe heart failure. Let your provider know if you experience any abnormal heart beats or worsening symptoms of your heart problem while you're taking orphenadrine.

            dosage

            Orphenadrine dosage forms

            The average cost for 20 tablets of 100mg of Orphenadrine is $18.16 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 52.43% off the average retail price of $38.18.
            tablet
            Tablet
            DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
            100mg20 tablets$18.16$0.91

            Typical dosing for Orphenadrine

            The typical dose is 100 mg by mouth in the morning and in the evening.

            Orphenadrine is also available as an injection that's given into your muscle or vein by a provider in a healthcare setting (e.g., clinic, hospital).

            interactions

            Interactions between Orphenadrine and other drugs

            Orphenadrine may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Orphenadrine. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

            Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

            Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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            How much does Orphenadrine cost?

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            contraindications-icon

            Orphenadrine contraindications

            Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Orphenadrine will not be safe for you to take.
            alternatives

            What are alternatives to Orphenadrine?

            There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Orphenadrine. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
            Orphenadrine
            Used for:

            • Relief of muscle discomfort from short-term muscle conditions

            $18.16 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
            Cyclobenzaprine
            Used for:

            • Muscle discomfort caused by acute (not long-term) conditions

            $9.00 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
            Metaxalone
            Used for:

            • Muscle discomfort caused by acute (not chronic) conditions when rest or physical therapy isn't enough for relief

            $50.72 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
            images

            Orphenadrine images

            White Round E 22 - Orphenadrine Citrate 100mg Extended-Release Tablet
            This medicine is White, Round Tablet Imprinted With "E 22".White Round E 22 - Orphenadrine Citrate 100mg Extended-Release Tablet
            White Round Nl 4 And Gg 931 - Orphenadrine Citrate 100mg Extended-Release Tablet
            This medicine is White, Round Tablet Imprinted With "Nl 4" And "Gg 931".White Round Nl 4 And Gg 931 - Orphenadrine Citrate 100mg Extended-Release Tablet

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            References

            Best studies we found

            2023 American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria® Update Expert Panel. (2023). American Geriatrics Society 2023 updated AGS Beers Criteria® for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

            Abd-Elsalam, S., et al. (2018). Pilot study of orphenadrine as a novel treatment for muscle cramps in patients with liver cirrhosis. United European Gastroenterology Journal.

            Akorn. (2022). Orphenadrine citrate injection [package insert]. DailyMed.

            View All References (5)

            Cheah, K. Y., et al. (2020). A randomized single-dose, two-period crossover bioequivalence study of two fixed-dose paracetamol/orphenadrine combination preparations in healthy volunteers under fasted condition. BioMed Central Pharmacology and Toxicology.

            Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration. (2020). Narcotics.

            Sandoz, Inc. (2024). Orphenadrine citrate tablet, extended release [package insert]. DailyMed.

            See, S., et al. (2008). Choosing a skeletal muscle relaxant. American Family Physician.

            Witenko, C., et al. (2014). Considerations for the appropriate use of skeletal muscle relaxants for the management of acute low back pain. Pharmacy and Therapeutics.

            GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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