What medication is commonly used to treat malignant hyperthermia?

Dantrolene is the medication specifically indicated for the treatment of malignant hyperthermia, a life-threatening condition that can occur in response to certain anesthetic agents. This disorder is characterized by a rapid increase in body temperature and severe muscle contractions. Dantrolene works by directly interfering with calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum of skeletal muscle, thereby reducing muscle rigidity and preventing further increases in metabolism and temperature associated with malignant hyperthermia.

In the context of managing this condition, administering dantrolene quickly can stabilize the patient's condition, allowing other supportive measures to be taken—such as cooling the body and managing metabolic abnormalities. Its mechanism of action is crucial for effectively counteracting the hypermetabolic state caused by the condition, which distinguishes it from other medications.