skelaxin

How long does Metaxalone stay in your body?

The elimination half-life of metaxalone is about 9 hours (terminal half-life 9.0 ± 4.8 hours after a 400 mg oral dose, fasted; ~8 hours at 800 mg) — the time it takes the body to clear about half of it. As a rule of thumb, a medicine is mostly gone after roughly 4 to 5 half-lives, though this varies from person to person with age and kidney or liver function. This is the terminal (elimination) half-life the label reports; the label describes single log-linear (terminal) decline, not a separate distribution phase. Metaxalone is NOT a prodrug and the label names no active metabolite — it is hepatically metabolized to "unidentified metabolites" excreted in urine, so no metabolite outlasting the parent is described. Half-life is markedly shortened by food: with a high-fat meal it fell to ~2.4 h (vs 9.0 h) at 400 mg and ~4.2 h (vs 8.0 h) at 800 mg, alongside more complete absorption and higher exposure. Sex difference: mean half-life ~11.1 h in females vs ~7.6 h in males, with higher exposure in females. Age: the label does not give a separate elderly half-life but says metaxalone PK is significantly more affected by age under fasted conditions, with bioavailability/exposure rising with age (AUC∞ ~15,000 in ~26-yr-olds vs ~24,000 ng·h/mL in ~72-yr-olds at 800 mg fasted). Hepatic/renal impairment: the label states the impact of hepatic and renal disease on metaxalone PK has NOT been determined and advises using it with caution in these patients — so no adjusted half-life is available.

This is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t tell you when a drug test would read negative (tests detect substances for different, often longer, windows) or when it’s safe to take another dose — ask your pharmacist or prescriber. Source: Metaxalone tablet — DailyMed label, Clinical Pharmacology / Pharmacokinetics.

Frequently asked questions

What does Skelaxin treat?

Skelaxin (Metaxalone) may be used to treat muscle cramp, muscle rigidity, muscle spasticity, myositis, pain, spasm, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.

How does Skelaxin work?

Skelaxin is a muscle relaxant. Most muscle relaxants work in the brain and spinal cord rather than on the muscle itself: they damp down the overactive nerve signals and reflexes that keep muscles tense, easing spasms and tightness. Some specialized agents instead act directly on muscle calcium release.

How much does Skelaxin cost?

Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $11.97 for 30, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins. Pharmacies pay less for a same-class option, Amrix — about $0.63 on the same basis.

Is there a coupon or discount for Skelaxin?

pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Skelaxin. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.

Who makes Skelaxin?

Skelaxin is marketed by King Pharms LLC. You can see King Pharms LLC's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.

Is Skelaxin a brand-name or generic drug?

Skelaxin is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Metaxalone. Lower-cost generic equivalents containing Metaxalone are available — ask your pharmacist.

Is Skelaxin available over the counter?

No. Skelaxin is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.

What forms does Skelaxin come in?

Skelaxin is currently marketed as tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.

What class of drug is Skelaxin?

Skelaxin is classified as muscle relaxant, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.

Is Skelaxin FDA-registered?

Skelaxin is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA013217. You can verify this on its official FDA label.