Methocarbamol is a muscle relaxant. It works by blocking nerve impulses (or pain sensations) that are sent to your brain.
Methocarbamol is used together with rest and physical therapy to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain or injury.
Methocarbamol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to methocarbamol.
Before using methocarbamol, tell your doctor if you have myasthenia gravis.
You may need to reduce your methocarbamol dose after the first 2 or 3 days of treatment. Follow your doctor"s instructions regarding the number of tablets you take each day.
Methocarbamol may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of this medicine.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to methocarbamol.
Before using methocarbamol, tell your doctor if you have myasthenia gravis.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether methocarbamol will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. It is not known whether methocarbamol passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
How should I take methocarbamol?
Take methocarbamol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
You may need to reduce your methocarbamol dose after the first 2 or 3 days of treatment. Follow your doctor"s instructions regarding the number of tablets you take each day.
Methocarbamol can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using this medicine.
Methocarbamol is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include rest, physical therapy, or other pain relief measures. Follow your doctor"s instructions.
Store at methocarbamol room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).
What should I avoid?
Methocarbamol may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of methocarbamol.
Methocarbamol side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to methocarbamol: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using methocarbamol and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
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fever, chills, flu symptoms;
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slow heart rate;
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feeling like you might pass out;
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seizure (convulsions); or
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jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).
Less serious methocarbamol side effects may include:
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dizziness, spinning sensation, drowsiness;
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headache, confusion, memory problems, loss of balance or coordination;
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nausea, vomiting, upset stomach;
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flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
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blurred vision, double vision, eye redness;
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sleep problems (insomnia);
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stuffy nose; or
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mild itching or rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
Methocarbamol dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Muscle Spasm:
Oral:
Initial dose: 1500 mg four times a day for the first 48 to 72 hours, up to a maximum dosage of 8 g/day for severe symptoms.
Maintenance dose: 4000 to 4500 mg/day in divided doses.
IV or IM:
1000 mg up to every 8 hours if necessary, not to exceed 3 g/day for more than 3 consecutive days except in the treatment of tetanus. A like course may be repeated after a lapse of 48 hours if the condition persists. Oral therapy should be instituted as soon as possible. For symptoms of moderate severity, oral doses may be adequate after one injection if patient can tolerate oral medications.
Usual Adult Dose for Tetanus:
1 to 2 g directly into IV tubing, followed by an additional 1 to 2 g by IV infusion for a total dose of up to 3 g initially. This procedure may be repeated every 6 hours until nasogastric tube can be inserted. Then, crushed tablets suspended in water or saline solution can be given through the nasogastric tube. Total daily oral doses up to 24 g may be required.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Tetanus:
A minimum initial dose of 15 mg/kg, may repeat every 6 hours if needed. The maintenance dose may be given by injection into tubing or by IV infusion with an appropriate quantity of fluid.
What other drugs will affect methocarbamol?
Before using methocarbamol, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by methocarbamol.
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially pyridostigmine (Mestinon).
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with methocarbamol. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
