How Long Does Methocarbamol Stay in Your System? 5 Methocarbamol FAQs Answered

Methocarbamol is one of several muscle relaxers on the market today. It’s been around for a long time: It was initially discovered in the early 1950s and approved by the FDA in 1957. 

But what muscle-related conditions does methocarbamol treat? And how long does methocarbamol stay in your system? Here, pharmacists answer five frequently asked questions about the medication.

1. How long does methocarbamol stay in your system?

After you take a dose of methocarbamol, the medication typically stays in your system for 5 to 10 hours. 

How long a medication stays in your system is determined by the medication’s half-life. Half-life refers to the amount of time it takes your body to remove half of the medication from your system. A medication is considered to be cleared from your system after five half-lives. Methocarbamol’s half-life is usually 1 to 2 hours, which is why it usually clears from the body in 5 to 10 hours. Because methocarbamol doesn’t stick around long in the body, it’s typically taken 3 or 4 times a day.

It’s important to note that it may take longer than 10 hours for some people to clear methocarbamol from their system. This is more likely for people with kidney or liver problems, since methocarbamol is processed in the liver and removed by the kidneys, and older adults. If methocarbamol stays in your system longer, you may be more likely to experience side effects.

2. What is methocarbamol used for?

Methocarbamol is FDA approved to help relieve short-term muscle pain. It’s recommended to be used in combination with rest, physical therapy, and other nonmedication pain relief methods.

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Muscle relaxers are commonly taken for neck and back pain. However, they’re not as effective as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve). So if methocarbamol is prescribed to treat neck and back pain, it's typically combined with an NSAID.

Methocarbamol can be taken any time of day, with or without food. It comes as 500 mg and 750 mg oral tablets. It also comes in an injectable form that can be used in healthcare settings, such as a hospital.

3. Is methocarbamol an effective muscle relaxer?

Most of the research that’s been done on muscle relaxers has looked at their effectiveness for lower back pain. And overall, the results have been mixed. 

Much of the research has shown that muscle relaxers, including methocarbamol, aren’t very effective at relieving lower back pain. And their benefits may not outweigh their risks.

Still, some research has found methocarbamol to be effective at treating lower back pain. And  in addition to being generally inexpensive and well-tolerated, methocarbamol is known for causing less drowsiness than other muscle relaxers.

The bottom line is that we can’t definitively say if methocarbamol is an effective muscle relaxer for any type of muscle pain.

4. What methocarbamol side effects should you watch out for?

Mild methocarbamol side effects may include:

• Sleepiness

• Dizziness

• Headaches

• Itching

• Upset stomach or nausea

• Flushing

• Blurred vision

Keep in mind, methocarbamol is usually only taken short term. So if you experience any of these side effects, they should be short-lived. To be safe, though, it’s a good idea to avoid driving or doing other activities that require alertness when you first start taking methocarbamol. Methocarbamol side effects like tiredness and dizziness could make certain activities dangerous.

Serious methocarbamol side effects can include very low blood pressure and heart rate, confusion, and seizures. However, these side effects are rare. Still, if you experience any symptoms that feel severe or life-threatening, get immediate medical care by calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency room.

5. Is methocarbamol safe?

Methocarbamol is considered to be safe when taken as directed. And, as mentioned, its side effects are generally mild. Though, certain people, including older adults, may be more likely to experience side effects from methocarbamol.

If you take other medications or substances that can cause drowsiness and dizziness, you may also face greater risks with methocarbamol. This includes opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol. Combining these medications and substances with methocarbamol increases your risk of excessive drowsiness, trouble balancing, and falls. So it’s best to avoid these combinations when possible.

Make sure to give your prescriber and pharmacist a list of all the medications you take, including over-the-counter products. This will help them check for potential interactions.

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Written by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

Edited by:

Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS

Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. Amy currently holds her pharmacist license in Georgia and California.

Reviewed by:

Daphne Berryhill, RPh

Daphne Berryhill, RPh, has two decades of experience as a clinical pharmacist. She spent most of her career in the Chicago area practicing in-home infusion.

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