orphenadrine
Brand names: Norflex
Orphenadrine (Norflex) is a muscle relaxant that can help relieve discomfort from painful muscle problems. It should be used with rest and physical therapy.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$5.74/unit
Generic Available
Yes (6 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
This medicine treats discomfort caused by painful muscle and bone problems.
Common side effects
Dry mouth, Drowsiness, Dizziness
Key warnings
You should not take this medicine if you have glaucoma, a blockage in your stomach or small intestine, peptic ulcers that are getting smaller, an enlarged prostate, problems with your bladder, mega-esophagus, or myasthenia gravis.
How It Works
Orphenadrine works by relaxing your muscles. It also has some pain-relieving effects. It mainly works by blocking certain nerve signals in the body.
How to Take It
Take two tablets each day. Take one tablet in the morning and one in the evening. You can take it with or without food. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
It is not known if this medicine will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F in a tightly closed, light-resistant container.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 430 FDA adverse event reports.
Serious Warnings
You should not take this medicine if you have glaucoma, a blockage in your stomach or small intestine, peptic ulcers that are getting smaller, an enlarged prostate, problems with your bladder, mega-esophagus, or myasthenia gravis. Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to it.
Common Questions
Can I drive while taking this medicine?
Can I drink alcohol while taking this medicine?
What should I do if I have side effects?
Can I take this medicine with other medicines?
How long does it take for this medicine to work?
Can I stop taking this medicine suddenly?
What if I have trouble swallowing the tablet?
Is this medicine addictive?
Can this medicine affect my heart?
What do I do if I think I took too much?
What are the common side effects of orphenadrine?
What drug class is orphenadrine?
Is orphenadrine safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Muscle Relaxant / Analgesic
Other drugs grouped near orphenadrine — same-class peers and common alternatives.
baclofen
Lioresal, Gablofen
Baclofen is a muscle relaxant.
Compare with orphenadrine →
botulinum toxin A
Botox
Botox is a drug that blocks nerve signals to muscles.
Compare with orphenadrine →
carisoprodol
Soma
Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant.
Compare with orphenadrine →
chlorzoxazone
Parafon Forte
Chlorzoxazone is a muscle relaxant.
Compare with orphenadrine →
cyclobenzaprine
Flexeril, Amrix
Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant.
Compare with orphenadrine →
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What the FDA Data Shows for orphenadrine
The FDA label for orphenadrine (sold under brand names such as Norflex) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Muscle Relaxant / Analgesic class. This medicine treats discomfort caused by painful muscle and bone problems. Official labeling lists 8 commonly reported side effects, including Dry mouth, Drowsiness, Dizziness.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 430 voluntary reports. Interaction data is drawn directly from FDA-approved prescribing information. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $5.74.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: January 1, 2026
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages