Methocarbamol

Methocarbamol is used to relax muscles and relieve pain and discomfort caused by muscle injuries. May cause drowsiness. Do not drive until you know how it affects you.

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Methocarbamol Overview

Reviewed: September 3, 2013
Updated: 

Methocarbamol is a prescription medication used with rest, physical therapy, and other measures to relax muscles and relieve pain and discomfort caused by strains, sprains, and other muscle injuries. Methocarbamol belongs to a group of drugs called muscle relaxants. The exact way it works is unknown, but it seems to exert its effects by acting on the central nervous system, rather than directly relaxing muscle.

This medication comes in tablet form. It is usually taken 3 or 4 times daily. There is also an injectable form of methocarbamol to be given directly into a vein (IV) or muscle (IM) by a healthcare professional.

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and headache. Methocarbamol can also cause dizziness, drowsiness and blurred vision. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.

How was your experience with Methocarbamol?

First, a little about yourself

Tell us about yourself in a few words?

What tips would you provide a friend before taking Methocarbamol?

What are you taking Methocarbamol for?

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  • Other
  • Muscle Cramp
  • Muscle Rigidity
  • Myositis
  • Pain
  • Spasm
  • Tetanus

How long have you been taking it?

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  • Less than a week
  • A couple weeks
  • A month or so
  • A few months
  • A year or so
  • Two years or more

How well did Methocarbamol work for you?

Did you experience many side effects while taking this drug?

How likely would you be to recommend Methocarbamol to a friend?

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Methocarbamol Cautionary Labels

precautionsprecautionsprecautions

Uses of Methocarbamol

Methocarbamol is a prescription medication used with rest, physical therapy, and other measures to relax muscles and relieve pain and discomfort caused by acute (short-term) muscle injuries. 

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Methocarbamol Brand Names

Methocarbamol may be found in some form under the following brand names:

Methocarbamol Drug Class

Methocarbamol is part of the drug class:

Side Effects of Methocarbamol

Common side effects include:

  • drowsiness
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • blurred vision
  • fever
  • changes in urine color

​This is not a complete list of methocarbamol side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Methocarbamol Interactions

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

  • alcohol
  • benzodiazepines (drugs used to treat anxiety, panic attacks and other conditions) such as alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clobazam (Onfi), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), temazepam (Restoril) and others
  • opioids (narcotic pain medicines) such as hydrocodone (in Lortab, in Vicodin), morphine (Avinza, Kadian, MS Contin, others), oxycodone (Oxycontin)
  • tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, amoxapine, desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin, imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil)
  • sleep medicines such as eszopiclone (Lunesta), ramelteon (Rozerem), zaleplon (Sonata), zolpidem (Ambien)
  • other medicines that cause sedation

This is not a complete list of methocarbamol drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Methocarbamol Precautions

  • Methocarbamol may increase your risk for seizures, including grand mal seizures. Tell your doctor if you have epilepsy or have had seizures in the past.
  • This medication may cause dizziness and drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
  • Alcohol should be avoided as it can increase drowsiness when taken with methocarbamol.

Do not take methocarbamol if you are allergic to any ingredient in methocarbamol.

Methocarbamol Food Interactions

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of methocarbamol, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Inform MD

Before taking methocarbamol, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

  • are allergic to any ingredient in methocarbamol
  • have kidney or liver disease
  • are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

 

Methocarbamol and Pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Methocarbamol falls into category C. No studies have been done in animals, and no well-controlled studies have been done in pregnant women. Methocarbamol should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

 

Methocarbamol and Lactation

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if methocarbamol crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using methocarbamol.

 

Methocarbamol Usage

Methocarbamol comes in tablet form amd in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) or muscle (IM).

Take methocarbamol exactly as prescribed.

Oral:

  • Methocarbamol comes in tablet form.
  • It is usually taken 3 or 4 times daily. However, sometimes it is taken just twice daily or up to 6 times a day.
  • Methocarbamol can be taken with or without food.
  • If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of methocarbamol at the same time.

 

Methocarbamol Dosage

Take methocarbamol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends will be based on the severity of your condition as well as other conditions you may have.

Six grams daily is the recommended dosage for the first 48 to 72 hours of treatment. For severe conditions 8 grams daily may be administered. Thereafter, the dosage can usually be reduced to approximately 4 grams daily.

Methocarbamol Overdose

If you take too much methocarbamol, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

Other Requirements

  • Store tablets at room temperature between 20°C and 25°C (68°F and 77°F).
  • Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.