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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Mexiletine Be Replaced With Flexeril For The Treatment Of Myotonia Congenita?

My son, age 43, has myotonia congenita. He is taking a drug, mexiletine 150 mg 3 times a day.used for heart The drug has gotten too expensive. Could something like flexeril help. He goes to the MD clinic in Salt Lake about once a year. Looking for suggestions. thank you
Wed, 3 May 2017
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Diabetologist,  's  Response
Hi,
Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is a muscle relaxant but is not studied for muscle stiffness associated with myotonia congenita. The effectiveness may not be guaranteed because of that. Your MD may not prefer even to use Flexeril for an off-label use.
If mexiletine is becoming expensive for you, you can discuss with your MD about other alternatives. Some anticonvulsants like carbamazepine and phenytoin is helpful in this condition. You can probably switch over to one of those alternatives. But if the response to mexiletine is good, I would have try persuading my patient to be on that drug.
I hope the above information helps you. Thanks for writing into healthcaremagic. All the best for your son. Have a nice day.
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Can Mexiletine Be Replaced With Flexeril For The Treatment Of Myotonia Congenita?

Hi, Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is a muscle relaxant but is not studied for muscle stiffness associated with myotonia congenita. The effectiveness may not be guaranteed because of that. Your MD may not prefer even to use Flexeril for an off-label use. If mexiletine is becoming expensive for you, you can discuss with your MD about other alternatives. Some anticonvulsants like carbamazepine and phenytoin is helpful in this condition. You can probably switch over to one of those alternatives. But if the response to mexiletine is good, I would have try persuading my patient to be on that drug. I hope the above information helps you. Thanks for writing into healthcaremagic. All the best for your son. Have a nice day.