Methocarbamol
About
Methocarbamol belongs to the group of medicines called 'muscle relaxants'. It is mainly used to relieve pain and muscle spasms occurring due to acute musculoskeletal problems. Muscle spasm is the painful and involuntary contraction that occurs when the nerve impulses that control the muscle movements are damaged or interrupted. Secondly, it also treats tetanus conditions (lockjaw) which are characterized by painful tightening of muscles. Tetanus is a nerve disorder leading to painful muscle contraction, mainly affecting the jaw and neck muscles.
Methocarbamol consists of methocarbamol. It works by blocking pain impulses sent to the spinal cord and brain, thereby helps to maintain muscle strength and relieving muscle spasms or stiffness.
Methocarbamol can be taken with or without food. You may experience sleepiness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, headache, flushing, dry mouth, a metallic taste, and diarrhea in some cases. Most of these side effects are mild and subside over time. However, if these persist contact your doctor immediately.
Methocarbamol should be taken until your doctor advises you to stop. This medicine should be avoided in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. As a result, notify your doctor before beginning treatment with Methocarbamol. Methocarbamol is not recommended for children unless prescribed by a pediatrician. Inform your doctor or lab technician about the usage of Methocarbamol as this medicine is known to interfere with the test results. Inform your doctor if you have kidney problems, seizures attack (fits/epilepsy), and muscle problems (myasthenia gravis) as Methocarbamol is not recommended under such conditions. Let your doctor know about all your current medicines and your health condition to rule out any unpleasant side effects.
Uses of Methocarbamol
Medicinal Benefits
Methocarbamol contains Methocarbamol which is a skeletal muscle relaxant. It works by stopping pain signals (nerve impulses) to the brain, thereby helps relieve muscle stiffness or muscle spasm associated with pain and injury. Methocarbamol used to treat painful muscle spasms associated with musculoskeletal disorders, like spasms in the lower back, injuries, sprains and strains. Methocarbamol is more effective with rest and physical therapy to treat muscle conditions such as pain and injury. Additionally, Methocarbamol is also used to provide relief from tetanus (lockjaw) which causes painful tightening of the muscles.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Methocarbamol
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Lightheadedness
- Dry mouth
- Fever
- Chills
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Flu symptoms
- Confusion
- Blurred vision
- Flushing (redness, warmth, or tingly feeling)
- Drowsiness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
- Do not take Methocarbamol if you are allergic to methocarbamol or any of its contents. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to inform your doctor before using Methocarbamol. Your doctor will prescribe Methocarbamol only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
- Methocarbamol should not be given to children as the safety and efficacy of use for Methocarbamol is not been established.
- Inform your doctor before taking Methocarbamol if you have kidney or liver problems, myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness), and seizures (fits).
- Do not take Methocarbamol with other drugs like antidepressants that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Inform your doctor that you are on Methocarbamol treatment if you are experiencing any operation which requires anaesthetic.
- Methocarbamol may cause drowsiness and sleepiness, so it is advised not to drive a car or operate machinery. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Methocarbamol as it could lead to increased drowsiness and sleepiness.
- Inform your doctor about all the medicines you are taking and your health condition to rule out any unpleasant side effects.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Methocarbamol may interact with antiepileptics (carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, lamotrigine, topiramate, zonisamide) appetite suppressants (orlistat), anticholinergic (benztropine, clidinium, cyclopentolate, dicyclomine), an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (pyridostigmine bromide), antianxiety (alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clonazepam, lorazepam, diazepam), antidepressants (amitriptyline, amoxapine, clomipramine, imipramine, nortriptyline).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid alcohol intake and tobacco consumption with Methocarbamol as it may cause increased drowsiness, dizziness and lack of concentration.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Methocarbamol may have interactions with liver disease, kidney dysfunction, seizures (fits), have ever suffered any brain damage or coma, muscle weakness (a disease called myasthenia gravis) and autonomic dysreflexia (spinal cord injury).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid consumption of alcohol during treatment with Methocarbamol as it may increase drowsiness.
Pregnancy
cautionMethocarbamol is a pregnancy category C drug. So, Methocarbamol should be avoided in pregnant women. Hence, consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
cautionMethocarbamol is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers. Hence, consult your doctor before starting treatment with Methocarbamol your doctor will decide whether Methocarbamol can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Driving
cautionMethocarbamol causes sleepiness and drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery that requires metal contectration unless you are alert.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with severe liver problem as it contains paracetamol. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionPatients with kidney disease should proceed with caution. Hence, consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this as dose adjustment may be needed in patients
Children
cautionMethocarbamol is not recommended for children below 16 years of age as the safety and effectiveness are not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Exercising regularly helps in muscle stretching so that they are less likely to spasm, tear and sprain. Mild exercises such as jogging and walking are helpful for muscle stretching.
- Massages can also be helpful.
- It is better to avoid extremely cold and hot temperatures.
- Also avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes, instead, wear loose garments.
- Rest well and get plenty of sleep during treatment with Methocarbamol.
- To avoid developing pressure sores, change your position at least every two hours.
- Hot or cold therapy can be helpful in treating muscle spasms. Apply an ice pack or hot pack on the muscle for 15-20 minutes.
- Stay hydrated, drink plenty of water.
Special Advise
- Inform your doctor and the laboratory staff about using Methocarbamol as it may interfere with laboratory tests.
- You may need to reduce your dose after the first 2 or 3 days of treatment. Follow your doctor's instructions regarding the number of tablets you take each day. Do not take more than the prescribed dose of Methocarbamol, at a higher dose, it has increased potential for abuse, especially among people who have a history of narcotic abuse.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Muscle spasm: It is a sudden involuntary contraction of the muscle that can be painful and uncomfortable. When the nerve impulses controlling the muscle movements are damaged or interrupted, it leads to muscle spasms. Symptoms include muscle tightness, joint stiffness, unusual posture, difficulty moving, and pain in affected muscles and joints. Conditions that can trigger muscle spasms include fatigue (weakness), stress, extreme heat or cold, infection, and tight clothing. Muscle relaxants, together with rest and exercise, can treat muscle spasms. Muscle relaxants sedate the muscle and help inhibit painful contractions. Exercise stretches muscles so that it makes them less likely to spasm, tear and sprain.
Tetanus: Also known as lockjaw, it is a bacterial infection caused by Clostridium tetani. After invading the body, these bacteria start to produce a toxin that causes painful muscle contractions. It causes neck or jaw muscles to lock, making it hard to open the mouth or swallow food/drinks.
FAQs
Methocarbamol contains Methocarbamol. It is a muscle relaxant that works on the centers of the spinal cord and brain, thereby helps in maintaining muscle strength and relieves muscle spasms or stiffness.
No, Methocarbamol is not indicated for stomach pain. If you have stomach pain post-ingestion, it may be a sign of stomach ulcer or gastric bleeding. Do not take Methocarbamol in this condition. It is better to inform your doctor in case of stomach pain post-ingestion of this medication.
Methocarbamol may interfere with laboratory tests. Please make sure to inform your doctor or the laboratory staff about treatment with Methocarbamol before undergoing any blood and urine examinations.
Yes, Methocarbamol may cause drowsiness in some people. Therefore, avoid driving vehicles or operating machines if you feel drowsy after taking Methocarbamol.
Do not discontinue Methocarbamol without consulting your doctor. Discontinuing Methocarbamol suddenly might cause muscle rigidity, increased heart rate, changes in mood, fever, mental disorders, confusion, hallucinations and fits (seizures). Talk to your doctor if you feel any difficulty while taking Methocarbamol so that your doctor will reduce the dose gradually.
Do not use Methocarbamol at a time when muscle tone is required for safe balance and movement during certain activities. In some conditions, it may be dangerous for you to have low or reduced muscle tone. Avoid drinking alcohol with Methocarbamol as it can cause side effects. Avoid driving or performing tasks that require your concentration until you know how Methocarbamol will affect you and your reactions could be impaired.
