What is methocarbamol? Uses and side effects of Methocarbamol

Methocarbamol is a musclecarbamate drug that is used as a muscle relaxant in medicine. With its mechanism of action, this drug is used to reduce tension and muscle pain caused by drug poisoning, physical injuries, or problems related to the nervous system. Our main goal in this article is to increase public awareness and promote people’s health and recovery through the promotion of scientific information about methocarbamol. This information will help people to make better decisions regarding the use of this drug in different situations and to be better aware of the benefits and risks associated with it.

Pharmaceutical forms of methocarbamol

1. Tablets of 500 and 750 mg
2. 100 mg/ml injectable solution

Uses of methocarbamol

Methocarbamol is used along with rest, physical therapy, and other measures to relax muscles and relieve pain and discomfort from strains, sprains, and other muscle injuries. Methocarbamol is in a class of drugs called muscle relaxants. It does this by slowing down the activity in the nervous system, allowing the body to relax.

Pharmacological effects and mechanism of action of methocarbamol

The mechanism of action of this drug is unknown, but it is likely that general depression of the CNS causes skeletal muscle relaxation. Absorption of methocarbamol in 30 minutes and the maximum plasma concentration is 16.5-29.8 μg/ml. Metabolites include glucuronide and sulfate compounds of 3-(2-hydroxyphenoxy)-1,2-propanediol-1-carbamate and 3-(4-hydroxy-2-methoxyphenoxy)-1,2-propanediol-1-carbamate. The metabolites are unknown.

Dosage of methocarbamol

Before taking Methocarbamol, check the drug information including the indications and how to use the drug. Take this medicine orally with or without food as directed by your doctor. Use the medicine according to the doctor’s prescription and do not increase, decrease or stop your dose without coordination. If you increase your dose without consultation, there will be no change in your healing process and only the risk of side effects will increase. Dosage is based on medical condition and response to treatment. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or worsens.

Time to take methocarbamol

1. For muscle spasms, 1 gram of methocarbamol is used as an intravenous injection or intramuscular injection, followed by orally every 8 hours. The total intake should not exceed 3 grams.
2. The total parenteral dose should not exceed 3 g/day for more than 3 days, unless used for tetanus. If the condition persists, the treatment may be repeated after 48 hours without medication.
3. In order to repeat the treatment, 1500 mg is prescribed every 6 hours for 48 to 72 hours, which does not exceed 8 grams per day and then divided into 4-4.5 grams per day.
4. For adjunctive treatment of tetanus, an initial infusion of 1 to 2 g is used as an IV (at 300 mg/min), followed by an additional 1 to 2 g of infusion as an IV for a total dose of 3 g initially. May also repeat 1-2 g IV every 6 hours until able to administer NG or PO (oral).
5. For the treatment of tetanus in children, 15 mg/kg every 6 hours is used as an intravenous injection.
6. For muscle cramps for people over 16 years old, 1500 mg orally every 6 hours for 48-72 hours. Do not exceed 8 grams per day and then divide into 4-4.5 grams per day.
7. In the elderly, for acute muscle spasm, 500 mg orally every 6 hours may be titrated gradually to response. It should be used for short-term treatment due to the risk of sedation and anticholinergic side effects.

Precautions

Before taking methocarbamol, if you are allergic to it or other ingredients in the medicine, avoid using it. This medicine may contain inactive ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or other problems. If you have medical records such as liver disease, kidney or lung disorders, heart problems or heart failure, shortness of breath, mental or behavioral problems, etc., consult your doctor about the risks and side effects of the drug. This medicine will cause drowsiness and confusion in some patients, after taking it, avoid doing things that require high alertness.

1. Methocarbamol may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Patients should not consume alcohol or other CNS depressants.
2. It should be taken with food in some patients to prevent stomach upset, also the IV formulation (intravenous injection) is not for use in renal failure (contains polyethylene glycol); The injection rate should not exceed 3 ml/min.
3. Use the injection with caution in patients with a history of seizures, as it may also interfere with 5-HIAA and vanillin-mandelic acid (VMA) screening tests.
4. Sedative effects are enhanced when used with other sedatives, it should be noted that this drug is poorly tolerated in the elderly, and the pediatric IV (intravenous injection) dose is only approved for tetanus.
5. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, consult your doctor about the risks and side effects of this medicine before use. The use of methocarbamol during pregnancy can be used under special conditions and under the special supervision of a doctor.
6. If you are 65 or older, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking methocarbamol. Elderly people should not usually take methocarbamol because it is not as safe or effective as other drugs that can be used to treat the same condition.
7. This drug will cause drowsiness in some patients, do not drive until you know how methocarbamol affects you.
8. Talk to your doctor about the safe use of alcohol during your treatment with this medicine. Alcohol can make the side effects of methocarbamol worse.

Methocarbamol contraindications

1. Hypersensitivity
2. Renal failure (exercise)

side effects of methocarbamol

Drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, upset stomach, nausea and vomiting or blurred vision are some of the side effects of methocarbamol. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist right away. Most people who use this drug do not experience serious side effects. In case of serious side effects, such as nausea or vomiting that does not stop, fainting, slow heart rate, yellowing of the eyes or skin, mental or behavioral changes (such as confusion, forgetfulness), etc., consult a doctor.

1. Drowsiness, headache and dizziness
2. Leukopenia (IV)
3. Lightheadedness and blurred vision
4. nausea
5. Anorexia
6. Adynamic ileus
7. Dysgosia
8. Digestive discomfort
9. Nystagmus
10. double vision
11. hot flashes

Drug interactions of methocarbamol

1. Class X interactions (avoid): azelastine (nasal), bromperidol, orphenadrine, oxomazine, paraldehyde, thalidomide
2. Reduction of drug effects by methocarbamol: pyridostigmine
3. Enhancement of drug effects by methocarbamol: orphenadrine, oxycodone, paraldehyde, piribdil, pramipexole, ropinirole, rotigotine, suvarexant, thalidomide, zolpidem, alcohol (ethyl), azelastine (nasal), blonanserin, products containing botulinum toxin, brexanolone, buprenorphine, depressants. CNS, flunitrazepam, methotrexate, metyrosine, opioid agonists
4. Increased effects of methocarbamol by drugs: alizapride, brimonidine (topical), bromopride, bromperidol, cannabidiol, marijuana (cannabis), chlormethiazole, chlorphenesin carbamate, dimetinden (topical), doxylamine, dronabinol, droperidol, eprison, sketamine, hydroxyzine, kava plant, Lemborexant, lisuride, lofexidine, magnesium sulfate, methotrimeprazine, minocycline (systemic), nabilone, oxomazine, prampanel, rufinamide, sodium oxybate, tetrahydrocannabinol, tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, tolprisone, trimeprazine

Use of methocarbamol during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Taking methocarbamol during pregnancy can be dangerous for the fetus. This drug can cause birth defects, especially heart and neural tube defects. It may also cause fetal growth retardation and premature delivery. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has placed methocarbamol in pregnancy category C. This means that animal studies have shown that this drug can be harmful to the fetus, but not enough studies have been done in pregnant women. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.

Methocarbamol storage conditions

Methocarbamol should be stored at room temperature and away from light. It is also important to keep all medications out of the reach of children, as many forms of medication (such as weekly tablets and eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and can be easily opened by young children. . Unnecessary medications should be disposed of in specific ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot ingest them.

The last word of methocarbamol

As we said in this article from the online pharmacy magazine, Methocarbamol is approved as a useful and effective drug in reducing muscle tension and pain caused by various cases. This drug is useful as a muscle relaxant in cases such as drug abuse or physical injuries, helping people to reduce muscle tension and experience faster recovery. This medicine is an important tool in order of muscle pain and tension and can help improve people’s physical condition.

Site source: Medscape