methocarbamol
Methocarbamol (Robaxin) is a muscle relaxer. It's used to treat muscle pain and discomfort, like back pain, in people ages 16 years and older. It works best when used along with non-medication treatments, such as rest and physical therapy. Methocarbamol is taken by mouth, typically 3 or 4 times daily. It's also available as an injection that's given into the muscles or through the veins, typically in a hospital setting. Side effects of methocarbamol include dizziness, drowsiness, and blurry vision.
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What is Methocarbamol?
What is Methocarbamol used for?
Muscle pain and discomfort caused by acute (short-term) conditions
Muscle problems due to tetanus - injection form only
How Methocarbamol works
Methocarbamol is a muscle relaxant. The way it works isn't well-understood. Some research suggests it works by relaxing the nerves that make your muscles tighten or cramp up. But other research suggests it relaxes the muscles directly.
Drug Facts
More on Methocarbamol essentials
What are the side effects of Methocarbamol?
Common Side Effects
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Drowsiness
- Blurry vision
- Headache
- Nausea
- Upset stomach
Other Side Effects
- Metallic taste in mouth
- Vomiting
- Rash
- Confusion
- Short-term memory loss
- Poor coordination
Source: DailyMed
More on Methocarbamol side effects
The following side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence not known
Black, tarry stools
changes in skin color
chest pain or discomfort
chills
clay-colored stools
dark urine
difficulty in swallowing
dizziness
fast heartbeat
feeling of warmth
headache
joint or muscle pain
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
loss of appetite
loss of bladder control
loss or problems with memory
numbness or tingling of face, hands, or feet
pain, tenderness, or swelling of foot or leg
painful or difficult urination
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
redness and soreness of the eyes
redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
skin rash
sleepiness
slow or irregular heartbeat
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
stomach pain
sweating
swollen glands
tightness in the chest
total body jerking
unpleasant breath odor
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting of blood
yellow eyes or skin
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of Overdose
Loss of consciousness
shaking or jerking of one area or side of the body
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of Methocarbamol
Pros
Starts to work within 30 minutes to relieve muscle pain and discomfort
Less likely to cause drowsiness compared to some other muscle relaxers
Tablets can be cut in half
Cons
Taken 3 to 4 times daily
Older adults at higher risk for side effects
Not safe to take either some other pain medications, such as opioid medications
Pharmacist tips for Methocarbamol
You can take methocarbamol with or without food. If it's upsetting your stomach, try taking it with food to help.
If you have a hard time swallowing methocarbamol tablets, you can cut the tablets in half with a pill splitter if the tablets are scored (line down the middle).
Methocarbamol can cause dizziness and affect your ability to focus and concentrate. Avoid driving or performing any activity that requires a lot of attention until you know how this medication affects you.
Don't drink alcohol or take other medications that can cause drowsiness while you're taking methocarbamol. These combinations can worsen side effects like drowsiness and dizziness. Rarely, these combinations can lead to more serious side effects, such as trouble breathing.
Let your prescriber know if you're taking pyridostigmine (Mestinone), a medication for myasthenia gravis. Methocarbamol can affect how well pyridostigmine (Mestinone) works.
Discuss with your healthcare team about the risks and benefits of taking methocarbamol while pregnant or breastfeeding. There haven't been enough studies to know for sure how safe the medication is for your baby.
Store methocarbamol up and away from children, pets, and visitors. If someone you know accidentally takes methocarbamol, call a Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 or get medical help right away.
More on Methocarbamol tips
Frequently asked questions about Methocarbamol
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What are the risks and warnings for Methocarbamol?
Methocarbamol can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Effect on driving and concentration
Risk factors: Taking with alcohol or illicit substances | Taking other medications that cause drowsiness | 65 years or older
Taking methocarbamol can make you feel sleepy and affect your concentration and focus. This effect is more likely to happen if you're over 65 years old or take other medications that cause drowsiness. Don't drink alcohol while taking methocarbamol. Avoid activities that require you to be alert, like driving or operating machinery, until you know how the medication affects you.
Interactions with other medications
Let your prescriber know if you take other medications that cause dizziness or drowsiness, such as opioids, benzodiazepines, or sleep aids. Methocarbamol can cause life-threatening drowsiness or trouble breathing when combined with these other medications.
Methocarbamol dosage forms
Typical dosing for Methocarbamol
People ages 16 years and older: The typical starting dose is 1,500 mg by mouth four times a day for 2 to 3 days. After that, your healthcare team might adjust your dose of methocarbamol to a lower maintenance dose. The typical maintenance dose is 4,000 mg daily total, split into smaller doses and taken by mouth three to four times a day.
Methocarbamol (Robaxin) is also available as an injection given through the veins or into the muscle by a trained healthcare professional.
More on Methocarbamol dosage forms
Methocarbamol Reviews
GoodRx has partnered with PatientsLikeMe to provide reviews on the different aspects of Methocarbamol.
Effectiveness
Learn more about the effectiveness of Methocarbamol based on real life experiences.
Overall Rating
Based on 68 people taking this medication
3.5
Effectiveness by condition:
fibromyalgia64 reviews
2.7
cervical spondylosis1 reviews
3.8
degenerative disc disease1 reviews
3.8
herniated disc1 reviews
3.8
hypermobility syndrome1 reviews
3.8
Severity of side effects
Based on 229 people taking this medication
0%
50%
100%
Top side effects
Drowsiness
8%
Nausea
4%
Dizziness
3%
Sleepiness
3%
Fatigue
3%
Reasons people stopped taking Methocarbamol
Based on 212 people who have taken this medication
Did not seem to work
39%
Doctor's advice
21%
Other
13%
Course of treatment ended
12%
Side effects too severe
10%
Change in health plan coverage
3%
Personal research
3%
Expense
2%
How long people take Methocarbamol
Based on 475 people taking this medication
0%
50%
100%
Interactions between Methocarbamol and other drugs
More on Methocarbamol interactions
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Alfentanil
- Alprazolam
- Amobarbital
- Aprobarbital
- Benzhydrocodone
- Bromazepam
- Buprenorphine
- Butabarbital
- Butalbital
- Butorphanol
- Calcium Oxybate
- Cannabidiol
- Carisoprodol
- Cetirizine
- Chloral Hydrate
- Chlordiazepoxide
- Chlorzoxazone
- Clobazam
- Clonazepam
- Clorazepate
- Codeine
- Dantrolene
- Diazepam
- Dihydrocodeine
- Doxylamine
- Esketamine
- Estazolam
- Ethchlorvynol
- Fentanyl
- Flibanserin
- Flunitrazepam
- Flurazepam
- Gabapentin
- Gabapentin Enacarbil
- Halazepam
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Ketamine
- Ketazolam
- Lemborexant
- Levocetirizine
- Levorphanol
- Lofexidine
- Lorazepam
- Lormetazepam
- Loxapine
- Magnesium Oxybate
- Medazepam
- Meperidine
- Mephenesin
- Mephobarbital
- Meprobamate
- Metaxalone
- Methadone
- Methohexital
- Metoclopramide
- Midazolam
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Nalbuphine
- Nitrazepam
- Oxazepam
- Oxycodone
- Oxymorphone
- Pentazocine
- Pentobarbital
- Periciazine
- Phenobarbital
- Potassium Oxybate
- Prazepam
- Pregabalin
- Primidone
- Quazepam
- Remifentanil
- Remimazolam
- Scopolamine
- Secobarbital
- Sodium Oxybate
- Sufentanil
- Tapentadol
- Temazepam
- Thiopental
- Tramadol
- Trazodone
- Triazolam
- Zolpidem
How much does Methocarbamol cost?
Methocarbamol contraindications
Kidney problems (injection form only)
What are alternatives to Methocarbamol?
Muscle pain and discomfort caused by acute (short-term) conditions
Muscle problems due to tetanus - injection form only
Muscle discomfort caused by acute (not long-term) conditions
Muscle discomfort caused by acute (not chronic) conditions when rest or physical therapy isn't enough for relief
What is the latest news about Methocarbamol?
Methocarbamol images
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References
Best studies we foundBaxter Healthcare Corporation. (2020). Methocarbamol injection [package insert]. DailyMed.
Burel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2023). Methocarbamol- methocarbamol tablet, coated. Methocarbamol tablet, coated [package insert]. DailyMed.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Tetanus.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Put your medicines up and away out of sight.
Chou, R., et al. (2004). Comparative efficacy and safety of skeletal muscle relaxants for spasticity and musculoskeletal conditions: A systematic review. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management.
Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. (2024). ROBAXIN- methocarbamol injection [package insert]. DailyMed.
Qaseem, A., et al. (2020). Nonpharmacologic and Pharmacologic Management of Acute Pain From Non–Low Back, Musculoskeletal Injuries in Adults: A Clinical Guideline From the American College of Physicians and American Academy of Family Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine.
Qaseem, A., et al. (2017). Noninvasive treatments for acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain: A clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine.
Zhang, Y., et al. (2020). Methocarbamol blocks muscular Nav1.4 channels and decreases isometric force of mouse muscles. Muscle & Nerve.
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