About Robaxin
Robaxin is a skeletal muscle relaxant used to relieve the pain
of muscle injuries, spasms, sprains, and strains. Robaxin is recommended
as a supplement to physical therapy, rest, or other treatments your
doctor may recommend, and it will not replace these treatments.
Do not overuse injured muscles while under the effects of Robaxin,
as this may result in further injury and a prolonged recovery time.
Robaxin is only available by prescription. Do not use this
medications with alcohol, narcotic pain medication, or other
sedatives. Speak with your doctor if you take any of these
regularly.
Robaxin Side Effects
Mild Robaxin Side Effects: Blurred or double vision, clumsiness,
dizziness, drowsiness, faintness, or lightheadedness are the most
common side effects, but are not usually a cause for concern. Less
common, though not generally dangerous, side effects include abdominal
cramps, confusion, excitement or restlessness, flushing, headache,
heartburn, insomnia, irritability, irritable bowel, weakness.
Serious Robaxin Side Effects: Bloody urine, bloody or black stools,
chills, cough, depression, difficult urination, difficulty breathing,
eyes that are red, bloodshot, or stinging, fainting, fast breathing,
fever, hives, itching, paradoxical muscle cramping, racing heartbeat
or tightness in the chest, rash, sore throat, sores in mouth, stuffy
nose, swelling around eyes, swollen or tender glands, unusual fatigue,
unusual weakness, vomiting bloody or black material, yellow eyes
or skin. These side effects range from uncommon to rare, but should
you experience any of them while taking Robaxin, contact your doctor
or seek medical attention immediately. The injection form of this
medication has been known to cause seizures in rare cases, some
caution may be advised if you have a history of seizure disorder.
Cautions: Some conditions, or histories of certain conditions,
may indicate either caution or choosing an alternate treatment.
If you have, or have ever had, any of the following conditions,
you will need to consider your treatment carefully with your doctor.
- Allergies: If you have ever had an allergic reaction to Robaxin
or another skeletal muscle relaxant, be sure to inform your doctor.
There is a risk of anaphylactic shock in allergic individuals,
this medication may not be right for you.
- Blood disease caused by reaction to a medication: This condition
may be worsened.
- Epileptics: An injection of methocarbamol has a chance of causing
convulsion, and seizure may be a possible but rare side effect
of the tablet form of this medication.
- History of drug abuse or dependence: While Robaxin may produce
mild physical withdrawal symptoms, it is not generally a drug
of abuse. Addiction prone individuals should still be cautious
with this treatment and discuss the issue with their doctors.
- Kidney or liver disease: Your doctor will determine if this
medication is safe for you depending on your condition, but will
likely suggest less frequent dosing if prescribed.
- Porphyria: Robaxin is not a safe medication for porphyria, you
will need to use another treatment.
Robaxin Interactions
As a central nervous system depressant, Robaxin (methocarbamol)
should be combined carefully, if at all, with any product which
causes drowsiness. If you are taking any other medication, particularly
those listed below, speak to your doctor about potential interactions.
- Alcohol - Do not take alcohol while you are using methocarbamol.
There is an increased risk of side effects like drowsiness, unconsciousness,
or overdose.
- Benzodiazepines (a class of antidepressants, anti-panic agents,
and muscle relaxants) such as Ativan
(lorazepam), Valium
(diazepam), Halcion
(triazolam), Restoril
(temazepam), Librium
(chlordiazepoxide), Xanax
(alprazolam), Tranxene-SD (clorazepate), Paxipam (halazepam),
ProSom (estazolam), Klonopin
(clonazepam), and others, should be used cautiously
with methocarbamol.
- Central Nervous System Depressants - Any prescription medication,
over the counter medication, or herbal supplement that may cause
drowsiness. These medications should be used with caution while
taking methocarbamol as you may become oversedated. Consult your
doctor or pharmacist to be sure that your treatment is as safe
as possible.
- Desyrel (trazodone) - Risk of additive
CNS depression.
- Narcotic pain medication like Codeine, Demerol
(meperidine), Buprenex (buprenorphine), Darvon (propoxyphene),
Dilaudid (hydromorphone), MS Contin or Kadian (morphine), nalbuphine,
OxyContin (oxycodone),
Percocet (oxycodone and
acetaminophen), Stadol (butorphanol), Talwin compound (pentazocine),
or Vicodin (hydrocodone and
acetaminophen), Vicoprofen
(hydrocodone and ibuprofen) may increase the central nervous
system depressant effects of methocarbamol.
- Norflex (orphenadrine) - Risk of oversedation.
- Sedatives like Butalbital, Fioricet
(butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine), Fiorinal,
Phenobarbitol, Seconal, or other barbiturates may cause oversedation
in combination with methocarbamol.
- Skeletal muscle relaxants of any other type, such as Soma
(carisoprodol) or Flexeril
(cyclobenzaprine) may overly depress the central nervous system
when combined.
- Sleep medication like Ambien
(zolpidem), Sonata (zaleplon),
or over the counter sleeping pills may cause oversedation when
combined with muscle relaxants.
- Tranquilizers like Haldol (haloperidol), Mellaril (thioridazine),
or Thorazine (chlorpromazine) could cause oversedation when mixed
with methocarbamol.
- Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil
(amitriptyline), Asendin (amoxapine), Anafranil (clomipramine),
Pertofrane or Norpramin (desipramine), Sinequan
(doxepin), Tofranil (imipramine), Aventyl or Pamelor (nortriptyline),
Vivactil (protriptyline), and Surmontil (trimipramine), may increase
the central nervous system suppressant effects from either the
antidepressant, or the methocarbamol.
- Ultram (Tramadol) - This
pain reliever may oversedate you if taken in combination with
methocarbamol.
Robaxin Dosages
Robaxin comes in 500 mg and 750 mg tablets. A dosage of 1500 mg,
4 times daily for 2-3 days, is a common starting dose for severe
muscle pain or spasm. Your doctor will likely decrease your dosage
after this time period to a level that will maintain pain control.
Robaxin Directions
Follow your doctor's guidelines about how often you should take
Robaxin, and how much you should take. Do not exceed the amount
your doctor has recommended, and do not take it more often.
Store Robaxin away from direct light and heat. Store in a dry location;
avoid storing it in the bathroom, near sinks, or other areas where
it may become damp. Do not use after the expiration date.
Keep Robaxin away from children; both when storing it, and when discarding
any unused medication.
Robaxin may cause drowsiness or disorientation, and you should familiarize
yourself with your reaction to it before engaging in potentially
hazardous activities. Be cautious if you plan to drive or operate
heavy machinery, avoid these activities if you find yourself feeling
tired or experience slowed reactions.
Robaxin and Pregnancy
Robaxin has not been tested for safety in pregnant women, and there
are some reports obirth defects in infants whose mother used Robaxin
during pregnancy. It is not known whether or not Robaxin is present
in human milk, though this is a possibility. For these reasons,
this medication is not prescribed to pregnant women, and is not
generally recommended for nursing mothers.
Robaxin and Children
Robaxin has not been tested for safety in children under 12.
Robaxin and Seniors
Robaxin has not been tested in older adults, and there is no information
indicating that it works differently in seniors. However, as with
other central nervous system depressants, seniors should be careful
that they do not become oversedated or lose their balance while
taking Robaxin. Be sure to work out a medication schedule with your
doctor or pharmacist to be sure that drug interactions and overlapping
side effects are minimized.
Robaxin is a trademark of A. H. Robins
Back to top
This document is provided for information only. It is not a substitute
for consultation with a physician, either to diagnose symptoms
or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general
guidelines only, please follow the directions of your doctor
or pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made
every effort to ensure that this information is accurate,
but only your doctor can say if a medication, or drug combination,
is safe for you. Information intended for US residents only.
|
