What is Dantrium IV?

Dantrium IV is a type of an injected muscle relaxant that is used to lower body temperature, particularly in the instance of a life-threatening condition called malignant hyperthermia, which arises when surgery or general anesthetics cause a rapid rise in body temperature. Dantrium IV can be administered before or after a surgery if someone seems to be at risk for malignant hyperthermia and it is also administered as soon as someone displays signs of the condition. Characteristic signs of malignant hyperthermia include elevated heart rate, quick breathing, hypercarbia (excessive amounts of carbon dioxide in the blood), fever, mottling of the skin, or tightening of skeletal muscles. Dantrium IV helps maintain a healthy level of calcium in the muscles, which helps lower body temperature.