Pronunciation:

meth-oh-KAR-ba-mol

Brand Names:

• Robaxin

Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Classifications:

Therapeutic—

Skeletal Muscle Relaxant, Centrally Acting

Uses of This Medicine:

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.

Methocarbamol injection is also used to treat tetanus (prolonged contraction of muscles). However, this medicine does not take the place of other treatments for tetanus. If you use any medicine to treat your tetanus, keep using it as ordered by your doctor

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription

Before Using This Medicine:

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.

Children—

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of methocarbamol in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established except in children with tetanus.

Older adults—

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.

Breast-feeding—

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

Other medicines—

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 receiving 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
• 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
• 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—Should not be used in patients with this condition.

• Liver disease—Use with caution. The effects of this medicine may be increased because of slower removal from the body.

• Myasthenia gravis or
• Seizures—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

Proper Use of This Medicine:

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or into a vein.

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

It is very important that your doctor check your progress closely while you are receiving this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

Your doctor will only give you a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves, and then you will be switched to an oral medicine that works the same way. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.

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.

The vial stopper of methocarbamol injection contains dry natural rubber (a derivative of latex), which may cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to latex. Tell your doctor if you have a latex allergy before you start using this medicine.

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 of This Medicine:

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

Black, tarry stools

blurred vision

changes in skin color

chest pain or discomfort

chills

clay-colored stools

confusion

convulsions

cough

dark urine

difficulty swallowing

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when suddenly getting up from a lying or sitting position

drowsiness

fast heartbeat

fever

headache

large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

loss of appetite

loss of bladder control

loss or problems with memory

muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities

nausea

pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg

painful or difficult urination

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

rash, hives, itching, red skin

slow or irregular heartbeat

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth

stomach pain

sudden loss of consciousness

sweating

swollen glands

tightness in the chest

unpleasant breath odor

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

vomiting of blood

yellow eyes or skin

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

Symptoms of overdose

Loss of consciousness

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

Belching

bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site

burning, dry, or itching eyes

discharge, excessive tearing

double vision

feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

feeling of warmth

heartburn

indigestion

metallic taste

redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest

redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid

sensation of spinning

stuffy nose

trouble sleeping

uncontrolled eye movements

vomiting

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.