Comprehensive medication guide to Orphenadrine XR including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$10 copay on most commercial plans as a generic Tier 1-2 drug; Medicare Part D coverage varies by plan and orphenadrine may not appear on all formularies.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$35–$50 retail for a 30-day supply (60 tablets of 100 mg); as low as $11 with a GoodRx coupon or $15 with SingleCare at participating pharmacies.
Medfinder Findability Score
78/100
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Orphenadrine XR (orphenadrine citrate extended-release) is a prescription skeletal muscle relaxant used to relieve discomfort associated with acute painful musculoskeletal conditions such as muscle strains, sprains, and acute back or neck pain. It was originally marketed under the brand name Norflex, which has since been discontinued. Only generic versions are available as of 2026, produced by multiple manufacturers including Amneal Pharmaceuticals and American Health Packaging.
Orphenadrine is derived from diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and shares some of its anticholinergic and antihistamine properties. It is classified as a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant and is FDA-approved as an adjunct to rest, physical therapy, and other measures for musculoskeletal pain management.
Each Orphenadrine XR tablet contains 100 mg of orphenadrine citrate in an extended-release matrix. It is taken twice daily — once in the morning and once in the evening — and must be swallowed whole. Do not crush, break, or chew the tablet.
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Orphenadrine XR does not directly relax skeletal muscles. Instead, it acts centrally in the brain and spinal cord through multiple mechanisms that collectively reduce pain and muscle spasm. The FDA-approved labeling states that the mode of therapeutic action has not been clearly identified but notes it may be related to its analgesic properties.
Research has identified at least three pharmacological mechanisms: anticholinergic action (blocking muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, approximately 58% as potent as atropine), NMDA receptor antagonism (blocking pain signaling receptors in the brain), and norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibition (NDRI — preventing reabsorption of neurotransmitters involved in pain modulation). Together, these actions reduce nerve signals that sustain painful muscle spasms.
The extended-release formulation releases the drug gradually over 12 hours, providing consistent therapeutic levels with twice-daily dosing and reducing peak-concentration side effects compared to immediate-release formulations.
100 mg — Extended-release tablet
Standard dose: 100 mg twice daily (morning and evening), every 12 hours. Swallow whole — do not crush, break, or chew.
As of 2026, oral Orphenadrine XR is generally available — it is not listed on the FDA Drug Shortage Database or the ASHP Drug Shortages list. Multiple generic manufacturers produce this formulation, and the oral tablet supply chain is stable. However, many patients report difficulty finding it at their local pharmacy due to low prescription volume, manufacturer fragmentation, and occasional confusion over the Norflex brand discontinuation.
The 2023 shortage that affected injectable orphenadrine citrate (caused by Akorn Pharmaceuticals' closure) did not impact oral ER tablets. Local stock-outs are typically brief — 1 to 5 days — and pharmacies can usually order from their wholesaler within 24-48 hours.
If you are having trouble locating Orphenadrine XR, medfinder can call pharmacies near you to find which ones can fill your prescription and text you the results — saving you the hassle of calling around yourself.
Orphenadrine XR is not a controlled substance and has no special DEA prescribing requirements. Any licensed prescriber with full prescribing authority can write a prescription for it in all 50 states.
Primary care physicians (family medicine, internal medicine, general practice)
Orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians
Physiatrists (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialists)
Rheumatologists and neurologists
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) with prescribing authority
Urgent care providers
Because Orphenadrine XR is not a controlled substance, it can also be prescribed via telehealth platforms (Teladoc, MDLive, Amazon Clinic, and others) in most states without an in-person visit. This makes it accessible for patients who are in too much pain to travel to an appointment or who live in rural areas.
No. Orphenadrine citrate extended-release is not a DEA-scheduled controlled substance. It has no DEA Schedule designation (I through V) and can be prescribed by any licensed prescriber without special DEA registration. Prescriptions can be phoned in, faxed, or sent electronically to the pharmacy.
Despite not being scheduled, the literature notes that orphenadrine has been chronically abused for its euphoric and mood-elevating effects — the same NDRI mechanism that contributes to its analgesic properties also produces dopamine release in the brain's reward pathways. Prescribers should monitor patients for signs of misuse, though there are no mandatory PDMP checks, special prescription forms, or quantity limits imposed by federal law for this drug.
Most side effects are related to its anticholinergic properties and are dose-dependent. Dry mouth is usually the first to appear. Common side effects include:
Dry mouth (most common)
Drowsiness and sedation
Dizziness or lightheadedness; occasional syncope
Constipation
Blurred vision and dilated pupils
Headache and nausea
Urinary hesitancy or retention
Tachycardia and palpitations (especially at higher doses)
Serious side effects requiring immediate medical attention:
Anaphylaxis (hives, swelling of face or throat, difficulty breathing)
Hallucinations or severe confusion (anticholinergic toxicity)
Complete urinary retention (medical emergency — go to ER)
Aplastic anemia (very rare; no causal relationship established)
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Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
Most studied muscle relaxant; available as 5-10 mg IR three times daily or 15-30 mg ER once daily. More sedating than orphenadrine; avoid in cardiac patients and those over 65.
Methocarbamol (Robaxin)
Less sedating, minimal anticholinergic effects, very low cost. Taken four times daily. Preferred for patients who cannot tolerate orphenadrine's anticholinergic burden or elderly patients.
Tizanidine (Zanaflex)
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonist; strong evidence base; approved for spasticity and musculoskeletal pain. Significant sedation and blood pressure effects. Avoid with fluvoxamine and ciprofloxacin.
Metaxalone (Skelaxin)
Least sedating muscle relaxant; no significant anticholinergic effects; taken three to four times daily. Contraindicated in liver or kidney disease. Generally more expensive than alternatives.
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Opioids (hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, fentanyl, tramadol)
majorMajor interaction: combined use significantly increases risk of profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Avoid or use with extreme caution only when alternatives are inadequate.
Alcohol
majorDramatically increases CNS depression and sedation. Avoid all alcohol while taking Orphenadrine XR.
Sodium oxybate (GHB, Xyrem)
majorAdditive CNS depression leading to profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Avoid this combination.
Benzodiazepines and CNS depressants
moderateAdditive sedation and impairment. Use with caution; reduce doses if combination is clinically necessary.
Other anticholinergic drugs (oxybutynin, benztropine, tolterodine, TCAs)
moderateAdditive anticholinergic effects including severe dry mouth, urinary retention, confusion, constipation, and risk of anticholinergic toxidrome.
Orphenadrine XR is a well-established muscle relaxant with a decades-long track record. Its twice-daily extended-release dosing is more convenient than most muscle relaxant alternatives, and as a generic-only medication it is relatively affordable — especially with discount cards like GoodRx, which can reduce the cash price to as low as $11 per fill.
Key limitations include its anticholinergic side effects, which make it generally unsuitable for elderly patients and those with glaucoma, prostate enlargement, or myasthenia gravis. Some patients also encounter occasional difficulty finding it in stock at certain pharmacies due to lower prescription volume relative to other muscle relaxants like cyclobenzaprine.
If you are having trouble finding Orphenadrine XR at your pharmacy, medfinder can help — we call pharmacies near you and text you which ones have your prescription in stock, saving you time and frustration.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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