Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

  1. Robaxin
  2. Robaxin-750

Descriptions


Methocarbamol is used to relieve the discomfort caused by acute (short-term), painful muscle or bone conditions. However, this medicine does not take the place of rest, exercise, physical therapy, or other treatment that your doctor may recommend for your medical problem.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

  • Tablet

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of methocarbamol in children below 16 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of methocarbamol in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more sensitive to the effects of this medicine than younger adults.

Breastfeeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

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
  • Cannabis
  • Carisoprodol
  • Cetirizine
  • Chloral Hydrate
  • Chlordiazepoxide
  • Chlorzoxazone
  • Clobazam
  • Clonazepam
  • Clorazepate
  • Codeine
  • Dantrolene
  • Daridorexant
  • Dexmedetomidine
  • Diazepam
  • Dihydrocodeine
  • Doxylamine
  • Esketamine
  • Estazolam
  • Ethchlorvynol
  • Fentanyl
  • Flibanserin
  • Flunitrazepam
  • Flurazepam
  • Gabapentin
  • Gabapentin Enacarbil
  • Halazepam
  • Hydrocodone
  • Hydromorphone
  • Ketamine
  • Ketazolam
  • Lacosamide
  • Lemborexant
  • LetibotulinumtoxinA-wlbg
  • Levocetirizine
  • Levorphanol
  • Lofexidine
  • Lorazepam
  • Lormetazepam
  • Loxapine
  • Magnesium Oxybate
  • Medazepam
  • Meperidine
  • Mephenesin
  • Mephobarbital
  • Meprobamate
  • Metaxalone
  • Methadone
  • Methohexital
  • Metoclopramide
  • Midazolam
  • Morphine
  • Morphine Sulfate Liposome
  • Nalbuphine
  • Nitrazepam
  • Olanzapine
  • Oliceridine
  • Oxazepam
  • Oxycodone
  • Oxymorphone
  • Pentazocine
  • Pentobarbital
  • Periciazine
  • Phenobarbital
  • Potassium Oxybate
  • Prazepam
  • Pregabalin
  • Primidone
  • Quazepam
  • Remifentanil
  • Remimazolam
  • Ropeginterferon Alfa-2b-njft
  • Scopolamine
  • Secobarbital
  • Sodium Oxybate
  • Sufentanil
  • Tapentadol
  • Temazepam
  • Thiopental
  • Topiramate
  • Tramadol
  • Trazodone
  • Triazolam
  • Zolpidem
  • Zuranolone

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Kidney disease or
  • Liver disease—Use with caution. The effects of this medicine may be increased because of slower removal from the body.
  • Myasthenia gravis—Use with caution. May make this condition worse.

Proper Use

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    • For relaxing stiff muscles:
      • Adults—At first, three tablets of 500 milligrams (mg) or two tablets of 750 mg (total dose of 1500 mg) four times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

Check with your doctor before using this medicine with alcohol or other medicines that affect the central nervous system (CNS). The use of alcohol or other medicines that affect the CNS with risperidone may worsen the side effects of this medicine, such as dizziness, poor concentration, drowsiness, unusual dreams, and trouble with sleeping. Some examples of medicines that affect the CNS are antihistamines or medicine for allergies or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicines, medicine for depression, medicine for anxiety, prescription pain medicine or narcotics, medicine for attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, medicine for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics.

This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy or drowsy. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests. .

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines) and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects

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

  1. Black, tarry stools
  2. changes in skin color
  3. chest pain or discomfort
  4. chills
  5. clay-colored stools
  6. cough
  7. dark urine
  8. diarrhea
  9. difficulty in swallowing
  10. dizziness
  11. fast heartbeat
  12. feeling of warmth
  13. fever
  14. headache
  15. joint or muscle pain
  16. large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
  17. lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
  18. loss of appetite
  19. loss of bladder control
  20. loss or problems with memory
  21. nausea
  22. numbness or tingling of face, hands, or feet
  23. pain, tenderness, or swelling of foot or leg
  24. painful or difficult urination
  25. puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  26. redness and soreness of the eyes
  27. redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
  28. skin rash
  29. sleepiness
  30. slow or irregular heartbeat
  31. sore throat
  32. sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
  33. stomach pain
  34. sweating
  35. swollen glands
  36. tightness in the chest
  37. total body jerking
  38. unpleasant breath odor
  39. unusual bleeding or bruising
  40. unusual tiredness or weakness
  41. vomiting of blood
  42. yellow eyes or skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of Overdose

  1. Loss of consciousness
  2. 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:

Incidence not known

  1. Belching
  2. double vision
  3. drowsiness
  4. feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
  5. heartburn
  6. indigestion
  7. mood or mental changes
  8. sensation of spinning
  9. stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
  10. trouble sleeping
  11. uncontrolled eye movements

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.

Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/methocarbamol-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20071962