Highlights for methocarbamol
- This drug is only available as a generic drug.
- This drug also comes in an injectable solution that is only given by a healthcare professional.
- Methocarbamol is used to treat muscle pain and stiffness.
- Alcohol: Drinking alcohol can increase the sedating effect of this drug. If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor.
- Coordination and concentration: Methocarbamol can impair your coordination and concentration. Do not take methocarbamol while operating heavy machinery or driving a motor vehicle until you know how it affects you.
Methocarbamol oral tablet is a prescription drug that’s available only as a generic. Generic drugs usually cost less.
Methocarbamol is available as an injectable solution. However, that form is only given by a healthcare professional.
Why it’s used
Methocarbamol is used with rest and physical therapy for the treatment of muscle pain and stiffness.
How it works
Methocarbamol belongs to a class of drugs called muscle relaxers. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.
It’s thought that this drug decreases your body’s messages of pain and slows down your nervous system. This relaxes your muscles and provides pain relief.
Methocarbamol oral tablet may cause drowsiness. It may also cause other side effects.
More common side effects
The more common side effects of methocarbamol can include:
- headaches
- dizziness
- lightheadedness
- drowsiness
- sedation
If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
- Allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:
- rash
- itching
- hives
- swelling of your face, eyes, throat, and tongue
- chest tightness
- difficulty breathing
- Angioneurotic edema. Symptoms can include:
- swollen tissues
- pain in your abdomen
- swelling of your voice box
- Slowed heart rate
- Flushing
- Low blood pressure
- Injection site reactions. Symptoms can include:
- swelling of the vein at the injection site
- pain at the injection site
- peeling of skin at the injection site
- redness at the injection site
- Jaundice. Symptoms can include:
- yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes
- Low white blood cell counts
- Loss of memory
- Confusion
- Side effects that affect vision, including:
- double vision
- blurred vision
- uncontrolled eye movement
- Pink eye. Symptoms can include:
- red eyes
- watery eyes
- itchy eyes
- Lack of coordination
- Sleeplessness
- Seizures
- Vertigo
Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare professional who knows your medical history.
Methocarbamol oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.
To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Interactions that can make drugs less effective
Taking methocarbamol while you take pyridostigmine bromide can reduce the levels of pyridostigmine bromide in your body. This may reduce the effectiveness of pyridostigmine bromide.
Interactions that increase the risk of side effects
Taking methocarbamol with certain drugs that also cause drowsiness raises your risk of this side effect. Examples of these drugs include:
- Anxiety drugs, such as lorazepam, diazepam, clonazepam, or alprazolam.
- Pain drugs, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, tramadol, or morphine.
- Certain antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, doxepin, and imipramine.
- Antipsychotics, such as chlorpromazine, haloperidol, or quetiapine.
- Herbal products, such as kava-kava or valerian root.
Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare professional about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.
Methocarbamol oral tablet comes with several warnings.
Allergy warning
Methocarbamol can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:
- rash
- hives
- trouble breathing
- swelling of your throat or tongue or both
If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).
Alcohol interaction
Drinking alcohol can increase the sedating effect of this drug. If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor.
Warnings for people with certain health conditions
For people with liver disease: Methocarbamol is broken down in your body by your liver. If you have liver disease, this drug may build up in your body. This can increase your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lower dose or put you on a different schedule.
Warnings for other groups
For pregnant people: Methocarbamol is a category C pregnancy drug. That means two things:
- Research in animals has shown adverse effects to the fetus when the mother takes the drug.
- There haven’t been enough studies done in humans to be certain how the drug might affect the fetus.
Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This drug should be used only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
For people who are breastfeeding: Methocarbamol may pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your child. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication.
For seniors: The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lower dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.
For children: This medication should not be used in people younger than 16 years of age.
This dosage information is for methocarbamol oral tablet. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:
- your age
- the condition being treated
- how severe your condition is
- other medical conditions you have
- how you react to the first dose
Forms and strengths
Generic: methocarbamol
- Form: Oral tablet
- Strengths: 500 mg, 750 mg
Dosage for muscle pain and stiffness
Adult dosage (ages 18-64 years)
- The typical starting dose is 6,000 mg per day, taken as 1,500 mg, 4 times a day.
- The typical maintenance dose is 4,000–4,500 mg per day, taken in 3 to 4 divided doses.
- Your doctor may start you on a higher dose for the first 2–3 days and then decrease your dose to about 4,000 mg per day.
Child dosage (ages 16–17 years)
- The typical starting dose is 6,000 mg per day, taken as 1,500 mg, 4 times a day.
- The typical maintenance dose is 4,000–4,500 mg per day, taken in 3 to 4 divided doses.
- Your doctor may start you on a higher dose for the first 2–3 days and then decrease your dosage to about 4,000 mg per day.
Child dosage (ages 0–15 years)
It has not been confirmed that methocarbamol is safe and effective for use in people younger than 16 years of age.
Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)
The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lower dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.
Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.
Methocarbamol oral tablet is used for short-term treatment. It comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.
If you stop taking the drug or don’t take it at all: Your muscle pain will remain uncontrolled. You will continue to experience pain and spasms.
If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times.
If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include:
- nausea
- drowsiness
- blurry vision
- seizures
- coma
If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or local poison control center. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember. But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects.
How to tell if the drug is working: You should have decreased pain and stiffness.
Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes methocarbamol oral tablet for you.
General
- You can take methocarbamol with or without food.
- Take this drug at the time(s) recommended by your doctor.
- You can cut or crush the tablet.
- Not every pharmacy stocks this drug. When filling your prescription, be sure to call ahead.
Storage
- Store methocarbamol at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C). Keep it away from light.
- Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.
- Keep this medication in a tight container.
Refills
A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.
Travel
When traveling with your medication:
- Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
- Don’t worry about airport X-ray machines. They can’t hurt your medication.
- You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled box with you.
- Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.
Clinical monitoring
Your doctor will monitor you for certain health issues while you take this drug.
- Your doctor will have blood tests done to check how well your kidneys and liver are working. If your kidneys or liver aren’t working well, your doctor may decide to lower your dose of this drug.
- Your doctor will also ask you if you have had symptoms of dizziness, drowsiness, changes in vision, or confusion.
Insurance
Many insurance companies require a prior authorization for this drug. This means your doctor will need to get approval from your insurance company before your insurance company will pay for the prescription.
There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.