METAXALONE

78/100 · Elevated

Manufactured by Actavis Pharma, Inc.

Metaxalone Adverse Events: High Seriousness and Diverse Reactions

6,668 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About METAXALONE

METAXALONE is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Actavis Pharma, Inc.. Based on analysis of 6,668 FDA adverse event reports, METAXALONE has a safety score of 78 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for METAXALONE include COMPLETED SUICIDE, DRUG INEFFECTIVE, FATIGUE, PAIN, NAUSEA. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for METAXALONE.

AI Safety Analysis

Metaxalone has a safety concern score of 78 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 6,668 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Actavis Pharma, Inc..

The most commonly reported adverse events include Completed Suicide, Drug Ineffective, Fatigue. Of classified reports, 62.4% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Metaxalone reports include a high percentage of serious adverse events, particularly related to suicide and death.

The drug is associated with a wide range of reactions, including neurological, gastrointestinal, and respiratory issues. Fatigue, pain, and nausea are among the most frequently reported side effects.

Patients taking Metaxalone should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Metaxalone can cause drug interactions, and patients should be cautious when using it with other medications. Warnings include potential serotonin syndrome and drug abuse. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 78/100

Metaxalone received a safety concern score of 78/100 (high concern). This is based on a 62.4% serious event ratio across 3,263 classified reports. The score accounts for 6,668 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

COMPLETED SUICIDE261 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE202 reports
FATIGUE195 reports
PAIN195 reports
NAUSEA190 reports
HEADACHE166 reports
TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS163 reports
FALL161 reports
DIARRHOEA131 reports
DIZZINESS120 reports
DEATH114 reports
DYSPNOEA113 reports
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE111 reports
RENAL FAILURE107 reports
VOMITING105 reports
BACK PAIN99 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS96 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY96 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY95 reports
DEPRESSION93 reports
RASH91 reports
ARTHRALGIA88 reports
ASTHENIA87 reports
INSOMNIA87 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL86 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY84 reports
MALAISE84 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED83 reports
OFF LABEL USE81 reports
ANXIETY80 reports
PNEUMONIA79 reports
HYPERTENSION77 reports
CONSTIPATION75 reports
PRURITUS74 reports
SOMNOLENCE72 reports
SINUSITIS66 reports
OVERDOSE65 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED62 reports
MEMORY IMPAIRMENT62 reports
COUGH59 reports
DRUG ABUSE58 reports
DRUG INTERACTION58 reports
SEROTONIN SYNDROME58 reports
MIGRAINE57 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE56 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION53 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT52 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED52 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE51 reports
BRONCHITIS50 reports
GASTROOESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE48 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING48 reports
HYPOTENSION47 reports
NEUROPATHY PERIPHERAL47 reports
ALOPECIA46 reports
CARDIO RESPIRATORY ARREST46 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY43 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN42 reports
PYREXIA42 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER40 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED40 reports
CARDIAC ARREST40 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS40 reports
CONTUSION39 reports
MYALGIA39 reports
INFLUENZA38 reports
DECREASED APPETITE37 reports
HYPERHIDROSIS37 reports
INJECTION SITE PAIN37 reports
TREMOR37 reports
ARTHRITIS36 reports
CHEST PAIN36 reports
END STAGE RENAL DISEASE36 reports
DEHYDRATION35 reports
RESPIRATORY ARREST35 reports
PRE EXISTING CONDITION IMPROVED34 reports
OSTEOARTHRITIS33 reports
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS33 reports
THERAPEUTIC RESPONSE UNEXPECTED33 reports
UNEVALUABLE EVENT33 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE32 reports
COVID 1932 reports
OSTEOPOROSIS32 reports
BALANCE DISORDER31 reports
FIBROMYALGIA31 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA31 reports
INCORRECT DOSE ADMINISTERED31 reports
STRESS31 reports
SURGERY31 reports
URTICARIA30 reports
COMA29 reports
DRUG DOSE OMISSION29 reports
ANAEMIA28 reports
DYSPEPSIA28 reports
FLUSHING28 reports
LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS28 reports
THROMBOSIS28 reports
DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS27 reports
INFECTION27 reports
MUSCULAR WEAKNESS27 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • Completed suicide and death are among the most serious adverse events.
  • Neurological issues such as depression, confusion, and gait disturbance are frequently reported.
  • Gastrointestinal issues like nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting are common.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 2,233, Male: 811, Unknown: 6. The most frequently reported age groups are age 56 (83 reports), age 60 (72 reports), age 38 (65 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 3,263 classified reports for METAXALONE:

  • Serious: 2,036 reports (62.4%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 1,227 reports (37.6%)
Serious 62.4%Non-Serious 37.6%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female2,233 (73.2%)
Male811 (26.6%)
Unknown6 (0.2%)

Reports by Age

Age 5683 reports
Age 6072 reports
Age 3865 reports
Age 5565 reports
Age 5864 reports
Age 6563 reports
Age 5462 reports
Age 5762 reports
Age 5258 reports
Age 5349 reports
Age 6149 reports
Age 6348 reports
Age 6448 reports
Age 5147 reports
Age 5947 reports
Age 4445 reports
Age 6244 reports
Age 4741 reports
Age 6641 reports
Age 4339 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Metaxalone can cause drug interactions, and patients should be cautious when using it with other medications. Warnings include potential serotonin syndrome and drug abuse.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Metaxalone, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include completed suicide, drug ineffective, fatigue, pain, nausea. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Inform your healthcare provider about any pre-existing conditions, especially mental health issues, before starting Metaxalone. Do not stop taking the medication abruptly without consulting your doctor, as this can lead to withdrawal symptoms. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA closely monitors Metaxalone due to its high rate of serious adverse events. Healthcare providers should be vigilant in monitoring patients for signs of adverse reactions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Metaxalone?

The FDA has received approximately 6,668 adverse event reports associated with Metaxalone. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Metaxalone?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Metaxalone include Completed Suicide, Drug Ineffective, Fatigue, Pain, Nausea. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Completed Suicide (261 reports), Drug Ineffective (202 reports), Fatigue (195 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Metaxalone.

What percentage of Metaxalone adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 3,263 classified reports, 2,036 (62.4%) were classified as serious and 1,227 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Metaxalone (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Metaxalone break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 2,233, Male: 811, Unknown: 6. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Metaxalone?

The most frequently reported age groups for Metaxalone adverse events are: age 56: 83 reports, age 60: 72 reports, age 38: 65 reports, age 55: 65 reports, age 58: 64 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Metaxalone?

The primary manufacturer associated with Metaxalone adverse event reports is Actavis Pharma, Inc.. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Metaxalone?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Metaxalone include: Headache, Toxicity To Various Agents, Fall, Diarrhoea, Dizziness. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Metaxalone?

You can report adverse events from Metaxalone to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Metaxalone's safety score and what does it mean?

Metaxalone has a safety concern score of 78 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Metaxalone reports include a high percentage of serious adverse events, particularly related to suicide and death.

What are the key safety signals for Metaxalone?

Key safety signals identified in Metaxalone's adverse event data include: Completed suicide and death are among the most serious adverse events.. Neurological issues such as depression, confusion, and gait disturbance are frequently reported.. Gastrointestinal issues like nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting are common.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Metaxalone interact with other drugs?

Metaxalone can cause drug interactions, and patients should be cautious when using it with other medications. Warnings include potential serotonin syndrome and drug abuse. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Metaxalone.

What should patients know before taking Metaxalone?

Inform your healthcare provider about any pre-existing conditions, especially mental health issues, before starting Metaxalone. Do not stop taking the medication abruptly without consulting your doctor, as this can lead to withdrawal symptoms.

Are Metaxalone side effects well-documented?

Metaxalone has 6,668 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. The drug is associated with a wide range of reactions, including neurological, gastrointestinal, and respiratory issues. The volume of reports for Metaxalone reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Metaxalone?

The FDA closely monitors Metaxalone due to its high rate of serious adverse events. Healthcare providers should be vigilant in monitoring patients for signs of adverse reactions. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to METAXALONE based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

SertralineFluoxetineParoxetine
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.