Methocarbamol is a muscle relaxant drug, that is, it has the ability to slow down activity in the nervous system. It is part of the group of carbamates or urethanes, which are organic molecules from carbamic acid. Its presentation is usually in the form of pills in tablets or ampoules that are injectable, although this can be dangerous and is no longer the route used. Below we will tell you in detail what Methocarbamol is for.
What is Methocarbamol for?
As we said in the introduction, Methocarbamol is a drug that works as a muscle relaxant. Its functionality is not yet fully known, but it is believed with certainty that it blocks painful impulses to the central nervous system at the level of the spinal cord. This prevents neurotransmitters, responsible for communicating pain signals, from activating muscle fibers. It is very common to use this medicine to treat skeletal-muscular problems, such as sprains, strains, fractures, bumps and contractures. It is also an antispasmodic drug, therefore it usually helps in the fight against tetanus (a disease caused by the bacteria clostridium). Finally, it is very normal to combine it with paracetamol to help relieve discomfort,
You may not find the drug with the name Methocarbamol, as there are many trade names. Some of them are the following: Rexivin, Robaxin, Carbaflex, etc.
Below we specify the ailments that Methocarbamol helps to combat:
- Torticollis
- Sprains
- Tendinitis
- Arthritis
- Dislocations
- Back pain
- Bursitis
- Muscle tears
- Dislocations
- Muscle spasms
- Tetanus
- Hits
- twists
- Bruises
- lumboartritis
- Disc herniation
- Lumbago
For other treatments:
Back pain, herniated disc and low back pain: This medicine has an important use for muscular back pain, especially those caused by contractures. It is important to rest the affected part for the drug to be more effective.
Treatment of torticollis, tendonitis and bursitis: Torticollis and neck pain due to stress are usually combated by Methocarbamol, since it helps to relax the muscles, distend the tendons and begin to reduce inflammation. The same effects apply to tendonitis and bursitis, as it blocks pain and begins to eradicate inflammation.
Its use in tetanus, spasms and contractures: We have already said that this drug is a natural relaxant, which is equivalent to preventing the muscles from contracting and tensing causing pain, from which it derives that it is used for spasms and contractures. As for tetanus, it clearly does not affect the pathology itself, but anyway by relaxing the muscles it allows other drugs to act as they should. It is widely used on horses.
How is Methocarbamol taken?
Methocarbamol is used in combination with rest, physiotherapy and other types of measures to relax muscles, relieve pain and discomfort caused by strains, sprains and muscle injuries of all kinds, mainly. Methocarbamol comes as a tablet to take by mouth. At the beginning of the treatment it is taken four times a day, then, in the future, the dose can be increased to six times or reduced to three times in a day. It is important to follow the label to know how one should act against the drug and if in doubt, consult the doctor or pharmacist on duty. Do not use more or less than the indicated intake; nor can it be taken more often without the recommendation of a professional. As for injections, the other method of use, in recent times it has acquired great criticism, being discarded in many cases (it was intravenous or intramuscular). The cause of this situation was due to the fact that it has been associated with syncope, bradycardia, hypotension, seizures and a natural deepening of pain. Even in the injected area, cases of skin detachment have been known.
Forms of presentation:
- Tablets of 500 and 750 mg of Methocarbamol. Available in boxes or jars with 12, 20, 25, 50 or 100 pieces. They are manufactured by Laboratorios Productos Farmacéuticos Collins, Helm de México, FAES Farma and others, under the trademarks Rexibin, Robaxin, Metocarbamol USP and some more.
- Injectable solution with 500 or 1000 mg of Methocarbamol, in boxes with 1 or 2 ampoules of 5 or 10 ml. Manufactured by Laboratorios Paill, AH Robins and others, under the trademarks Robaxin, Carbaflex and some more.
When consuming Methocarbamol, some side effects can be generated, many of them temporary and relatively light. However, there may be situations of gastrointestinal complications such as nausea, dizziness, diarrhea or constipation. However, special care must be taken with those patients who have liver, kidney or peptic ulcer problems, in addition to people who have an allergy to the actual substance of the article.
Here are some side effects:
- Daze
- Dizziness
- Sickness
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Threw up
- Blurry vision
- Fever
- Headache
- Itching
- Blurry vision
- Green, blue, or black discoloration in urine
- Drowsiness
- Severe rash
There are some precautions when taking Methocarbamol. It is important to tell your doctor if you are allergic to any of the drug’s components; communicate if other medicines, nutritional supplements, vitamins or herbal producers are being taken at the same time; notify if you have pregnancy plans or are pregnant; in case of being older than 65 years, because this medicine at a certain age is neither as safe nor as effective; be careful with alcohol as it can maximize the side effects and pay attention when performing, low ingestion, any dangerous task or that puts third parties at risk, such as driving because it generates drowsiness.
You do not have to follow any special diet when you consume this drug; If the dose is forgotten, take it immediately, unless it is close to the time of the next one, with which you can skip the consumption and then continue with the regular regimen. Doses cannot be doubled.
It is important that the container (almost always tablets) is at room temperature, away from children and tightly closed. It is a drug that cannot be thrown away or disposed of in any way, so it is important to do it in a correct way so that minors and pets are not at risk. It is therefore advisable to follow the medication return protocol.
Dr. Samantha Robson ( CRN: 0510146-5) is a nutritionist and website content reviewer related to her area of expertise. With a postgraduate degree in Nutrition from The University of Arizona, she is a specialist in Sports Nutrition from Oxford University and is also a member of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.