What is Methocarbamol? Uses, warnings & side effects
Methocarbamol is a generic muscle relaxant used to relieve pain and discomfort due to muscle or bone problems such as sprains or muscle injury. It is an older drug, so it isn’t always a first choice. As with other muscle relaxants, methocarbamol does have risks, but health professionals haven’t thoroughly studied these risks and determined their likelihood.
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Methocarbamol overview
BRAND NAMES:
Robaxin
Generic Names:
Methocarbamol
Uses:
Treats muscle pain and spasms
Therapeutic Classes:
Centrally-acting muscle relaxant, anti-spasmodic agent
Forms:
Tablet, injection
How it’s taken:
By mouth or intravenous/intramuscular injection
What is Methocarbamol used for?
Methocarbamol relieves pain due to muscle spasms, muscle injuries, and bone problems such as sprains. Methocarbamol is also FDA-approved to relieve muscle rigidity due to tetanus, but it’s usually not a first choice.
What form(s) does Methocarbamol come in?
Tablet
500 mg
750 mg
Injection
100 mg/mL
What are common Methocarbamol dosages?
For muscle pain and muscle spasms in adults: 1,500 mg by mouth every 6 hours for 2–3 days and then 1,000 mg by mouth every 6 hours
For tetanus in adults: 1,000–3,000 mg IV given once and then 1,000–2,000 mg IV, oral dose, or through a nasogastric tube
In children: 15 mg/kg IV or tablets given every six hours for 2–3 days
Methocarbamol images - What does Methocarbamol look like?
Methocarbamol
1000mg tabletMethocarbamol
500mg tabletMethocarbamol
750mg tabletMethocarbamol
10ml of 1000mg/10ml vial
How to take Methocarbamol
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed over the course of treatment.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
What to do if you miss a dose of Methocarbamol
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember within one hour of its scheduled time. If more than an hour has passed, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at its scheduled time.
You should not use two doses at the same time.
Methocarbamol contraindications - Who shouldn't take Methocarbamol?
This medicine is not right for everyone.
Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to methocarbamol.
Methocarbamol warnings
Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine. Methocarbamol may affect the results of some medical tests.
Your doctor may need to check your progress and monitor for side effects. Keep all appointments.
Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have:
Kidney disease
Liver disease
A history of seizures
A muscle weakness disorder called myasthenia gravis.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
Keep this medicine out of the reach of children.
Methocarbamol interactions & what to avoid when taking Methocarbamol
To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements you are using before taking diazepam.
Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.
Tell your doctor if you’re taking pyridostigmine, a drug used to treat myasthenia gravis. Methocarbamol can reduce its effectiveness in treating that disorder.
Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sedatives, antidepressants, anxiety medications, and alcohol.
Avoid drinking alcohol while you are using this medicine.
Methocarbamol side effects - How does Methocarbamol make you feel?
Serious side effects
Talk to a doctor if you notice any signs or symptoms of a possible serious side effect including:
Seizures
Blurred vision, redness, pain, or swelling of the eyes
Slow heartbeat
Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting
Infections
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Less serious side effects
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Stomach upset
Metallic taste
Sources:
Methocarbamol, StatPearls
Methocarbamol tablet prescribing information, NIH National Library of Medicine
Pharmacological management of tetanus: an evidence-based review, Critical Care
Robaxin methocarbamol injection prescribing information, NIH National Library of Medicine
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