Methocarbamol

Generic Name: Methocarbamol Injection (meth-oh-KAR-ba-mole)
Brand Name: Robaxin

Methocarbamol is used for:

Relieving muscle pain and discomfort caused by sprains and strains. It is used in combination with rest and physical therapy.

Methocarbamol is a skeletal muscle relaxant. The precise way it works is unknown, but it is thought to depress the central nervous system. It has no direct effect on the muscle.

Do NOT use Methocarbamol if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Methocarbamol
• you are also taking sodium oxybate (GHB)
• you have kidney disease

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Methocarbamol :

Some medical conditions may interact with Methocarbamol . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you are allergic to latex
• if you have myasthenia gravis (severe muscle weakness), liver problems, or a history of seizures

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Methocarbamol . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anticholinesterases (eg, neostigmine) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Methocarbamol
• Sodium oxybate (GHB) because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Methocarbamol

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Methocarbamol may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Methocarbamol :

Use Methocarbamol as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Methocarbamol is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Methocarbamol at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Methocarbamol . Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.
• Do not use Methocarbamol if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.
• If you miss a dose of Methocarbamol , contact your doctor or nurse for dosing instructions.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Methocarbamol .

Important safety information:

• Methocarbamol may cause drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Methocarbamol with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Methocarbamol ; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• Methocarbamol should not be given for more than 3 days in a row except for the treatment of tetanus.
• Use Methocarbamol with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Methocarbamol should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 12 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Methocarbamol while you are pregnant. It is not known if Methocarbamol is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Methocarbamol , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Methocarbamol :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Blurred vision; confusion; dizziness; double vision; drowsiness; fainting; fever; flushing; headache; indigestion; lightheadedness; metallic taste in mouth; mild muscle incoordination; nasal stuffiness; nausea; pain and sloughing at the injection site; "pink eye;" rapid eye movement; sleeplessness; swelling; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); memory loss; seizures; slow heartbeat; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include coma; fast or irregular heartbeat; loss of consciousness; nausea; unusual drowsiness or dizziness; vomiting.

Proper storage of Methocarbamol :

Methocarbamol is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Methocarbamol at home, store Methocarbamol as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Methocarbamol out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Methocarbamol , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Methocarbamol is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Methocarbamol . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.