Compare Dantrium vs. Oxybutynin
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Relaxes your muscles.
Dantrium (dantrolene) effectively treats malignant hyperthermia (increased temperature and muscle contractions when receiving anesthesia) and is the only medicine used to treat the condition. Dantrium (dantrolene) is not a first-choice treatment for general muscle spasms because it can damage your liver.
Treats an overactive bladder.
Oxytrol (Oxybutynin) is a good treatment for overactive bladder, but watch out for side effects such as dry mouth and constipation.
Upsides
- Dantrium (dantrolene) effectively treats malignant hyperthermia.
- Can be used for muscle spasticity if other medications haven't worked.
- Available as generic.
- Oxytrol (Oxybutynin) is effective at treating overactive bladder by lowering the urge to urinate, and helping to better control urination.
- Available in multiple forms: a patch, gel, extended-release tablet, and tablet.
- The gel form of Oxytrol (Oxybutynin) is available over the counter without a prescription.
- Oxytrol (Oxybutynin) patch and gel have fewer side effects than taking the tablet.
- The tablet is available as a generic.
Downsides
- Not a first-choice treatment for muscle spasms because it can cause liver damage.
- Can cause dizziness, sleepiness, and sometimes severe diarrhea.
- Needs routine blood tests since it can injure your liver.
- Dose needs to be increased slowly to minimize side effects.
- Generally not recommended to use in people ages 65 and older since it can cause drowsiness and increase the risk of falls.
- Can’t be used if you have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma.
- Not recommended if you have ulcerative colitis or certain other stomach problems since Oxytrol (Oxybutynin) can slow stomach emptying.
- Not the best choice if you have GERD (acid reflux), since Oxytrol (Oxybutynin) can irritate your throat and make the acid reflux worse.
- Has more side effects than newer medicines that treat overactive bladder.
Used for
- Malignant hyperthermia
- Chronic spasticity
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Injection
- Pill
- Extended release
- Liquid
- Cream, gel, or ointment
- Patch
Price
Lowest price
$34.44
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$23.37
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Side effects
The Dantrium (dantrolene) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
The Oxytrol (Oxybutynin) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Liver injury
- Taking 800 mg or more Dantrium (dantrolene) per day
- Women
- Over 35 years old
- Elderly
- History of liver disease or dysfunction
- Drowsiness and dizziness
- Alcohol or recreational drug use
- Sun sensitivity
- Lung disease
- COPD
- Heart failure
- Unusual tongue swelling
- Driving impairment
- Taking with alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- Heat exhaustion
- Outside in hot weather
- Dehydrated
- Exercising