DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: methocarbamol (meth oh KAR ba mall)
Brand Names: Robaxin, Robaxin-750

What is methocarbamol?

Methocarbamol is a muscle relaxant. It works by blocking nerve impulses (or pain sensations) that are sent to your brain.

Methocarbamol is used, along with rest and physical therapy, to treat injuries and other painful muscular conditions.

Methocarbamol is also used in the treatment of tetanus.

Methocarbamol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about methocarbamol?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Methocarbamol may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking methocarbamol.

Call your doctor immediately if you experience a rash, itching, a fever, or nasal congestion during treatment with methocarbamol.

Who should not take methocarbamol?

Before taking methocarbamol, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or a seizure disorder. You may need a lower dose or special monitoring during your therapy. It is not known whether methocarbamol will harm an unborn baby. Do not take methocarbamol without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. It is also not known whether methocarbamol passes into breast milk. Do not take methocarbamol without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Methocarbamol is not approved for use in children younger than 12 years of age.

How should I take methocarbamol?

Take methocarbamol exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Methocarbamol is usually taken three or four times a day. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Store methocarbamol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a methocarbamol overdose include drowsiness, confusion, and unconsciousness.

What should I avoid while taking methocarbamol?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Methocarbamol may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking methocarbamol.

Methocarbamol side effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking methocarbamol and seek emergency medical attention:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• a rash or itching;

• a fever; or

• nasal congestion.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take methocarbamol and talk to your doctor if you experience

• drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting;

• headache or blurred vision;

• nausea or a metallic taste in your mouth; or

• brown, black, or green urine (this is not harmful).

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect methocarbamol?

Many drugs can increase the effects of methocarbamol, which can lead to heavy sedation. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• antihistamines such as brompheniramine (Dimetane, Bromfed, others), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, Teldrin, others), azatadine (Optimine), clemastine (Tavist), and many others;

• narcotics (pain killers) such as meperidine (Demerol), morphine (MS Contin, MSIR, others), propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet), hydrocodone (Lorcet, Vicodin), oxycodone (Percocet, Percodan), fentanyl (Duragesic), and codeine (Fiorinal, Fioricet, Tylenol #3, others);

• sedatives such as phenobarbital (Solfoton, Luminal), amobarbital (Amytal), and secobarbital (Seconal);

• phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), and trifluoperazine (Stelazine); or

• antidepressants such as doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with methocarbamol. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has more information about methocarbamol written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Methocarbamol is available with a prescription under the brand name Robaxin. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Robaxin 500 mg--light-orange, round, film-coated tablets

• Robaxin-750 750 mg--orange, capsule-shaped, film-coated tablets

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.03. Revision Date: 2/13/04 4:01:56 PM.