Methocarbamol, which also goes by its brand name Robaxin, is used to treat muscle pain and stiffness. It’s a medication that is only available through a prescription from a doctor. The drug is also available as an injectable solution, but can only be dispensed by your healthcare provider.
The drug is used in conjunction with rest and physical therapy for the treatment of stiffness and muscle pain. It belongs to a class of medications known as muscle relaxers, which are all used to treat similar conditions. It is not a benzodiazepine drug, but it works in a similar way to address the same types of issues.
It is widely believed that methocarbamol decreases your body’s messages of pain and will work to slow down your nervous system. In turn, this causes your muscles to loosen up and provides pain relief. While it possesses fewer side effects than its benzodiazepine counterparts, the drug can still be fatal when used in significant doses.
The most common side effects of methocarbamol include:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Lightheadedness
- Sedation
These effects are considered mild and will go away within days or a few weeks. If you encounter more severe side effects, however, you are encouraged to speak with your doctor immediately to rectify the situation.
Severe Side Effects Of Methocarbamol
As we mentioned above, you must reach out to your prescribing physician immediately if you experience severe side effects as a result of your methocarbamol use. If you believe these symptoms are life-threatening or you’re having a medical emergency, you must call 911 immediately.
Severe side effects of methocarbamol you should look out for include:
Allergic Reaction – symptoms include:
- Rash
- Itching
- Hives
- Swelling of your face, throat, eyes, or tongue
- Chest tightness
- Difficulty breathing
Angioneurotic Edema – symptoms include:
- Swollen tissues
- Pain in the abdomen
- Swelling of your voice box
Injection site reactions – symptoms include:
- Swelling of your veins at the injection site
- Severe pain at the injection site
- Peeling skin at the injection site
- Redness at the injection site
Jaundice – symptoms include:
- Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes
- Slow heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Flushing
- Loss of memory
- Confusion
- Low white blood cell counts
- Side effects that affect vision, which include:
- Double vision
- Blurred vision
- Uncontrolled eye movement
- Pink eye
- Lack of coordination
- Seizures
- Vertigo
- Sleeplessness
Methocarbamol Interacts With Other Medications
You must speak to your doctor and let them know the type of medications you are currently taking. Methocarbamol may interact with vitamins or herbs you could be using. An interaction is when a substance you ingest changes the way a drug works, which can be harmful or prevent the medicine from working well.
Using methocarbamol with other drugs can that cause drowsiness will raise your risk of enduring this side effect. You should consult with your doctor if you are currently using these drugs:
- Anxiety drugs, such as diazepam, lorazepam, or alprazolam
- Pain medication, such as oxycodone, tramadol, hydrocodone, or morphine
- Antidepressants
- Antipsychotics
- Herbal products
