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Robaxin

Generic name: methocarbamol [ meth-oh-KAR-ba-mal ]
Drug class: Skeletal muscle relaxants

Medically reviewed by Kaci Durbin, MD. Last updated on Mar 26, 2024.

What is Robaxin?

Robaxin is a muscle relaxer. It works by blocking nerve impulses (or pain sensations) that are sent to your brain.

Robaxin is used together with rest and physical therapy to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain or injury.

Robaxin injection is sometimes used in the treatment of tetanus, (lockjaw) which causes painful tightening of the muscles.

Warnings

You should not use Robaxin if you are allergic to methocarbamol.

Before using Robaxin, tell your doctor if you have myasthenia gravis.

You may need to reduce your dose after the first 2 or 3 days of treatment.

Robaxin may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of this medicine.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Robaxin if you are allergic to methocarbamol.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

Methocarbamol may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Robaxin is not approved for use by anyone younger than 16 years old unless to treat tetanus.

Robaxin pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (more detail)

How should I use Robaxin?

Take Robaxin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. This medicine is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include rest, physical therapy, or other pain relief measures.

Robaxin oral is taken by mouth. You may need to reduce your dose after the first 2 or 3 days of treatment. Carefully follow your doctor's dosing instructions.

Robaxin injection is injected into a muscle or given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

The injection is usually given as a single dose before you start taking the oral form.

Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when the medicine is injected.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Robaxin.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Muscle Spasm:

PARENTERAL:
-For the relief of moderate symptoms: 1 g IV or IM once, then switch to oral
-For relief of severe symptoms or postoperative conditions: 1 g IV or IM every 8 hours
Maximum Dose: 3 g in 24-hours
Maximum Duration: 3 consecutive days; may repeat after a drug-free interval of 48 hours

Comments:
-Higher doses are recommended in the first 48 to 72 hours of treatment, then doses can usually be reduced to approximately 4000 mg per day.
IV/IM therapy should not be administered for more than 3 consecutive days without a drug-free interval of 48 hours.

Use: As an adjunct to rest and physical therapy for the relief of discomfort associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions.

Detailed Robaxin dosage information

cyclobenzaprine, baclofen, tizanidine, methocarbamol, diazepam, Valium, chlorpromazine, Soma, Thorazine, Robaxin-750

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, extreme drowsiness, fainting, seizure, or coma.

What to avoid

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.

Robaxin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Robaxin: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using Robaxin and call your doctor at once if you have:

Common Robaxin side effects may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Robaxin side effects (more detail)

What other drugs will affect Robaxin?

Using Robaxin with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Other drugs may interact with methocarbamol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Robaxin drug interactions (more detail)

Does Robaxin interact with my other drugs?

Enter medications to view a detailed interaction report using our Drug Interaction Checker.

Popular FAQ

How long does it take for methocarbamol to work?

When taken by mouth, it takes methocarbamol about 30 minutes to start working. It is usually taken 4 times a day to relax muscles and ease pain and discomfort.

Is methocarbamol addictive?

Methocarbamol does not come with a label warning regarding abuse, addiction or dependency. Human studies regarding abuse have provided mixed results, so the answer remains unclear. It may have abuse potential. It can also cause problems if it’s taken with other drugs that have abuse potential, such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids and central nervous system depressants.

Is methocarbamol a controlled substance?

Methocarbamol is not labeled as a controlled substance by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). However, there is some evidence that methocarbamol may have abuse potential. It should be used with caution in patients taking other drugs with abuse potential, such as alcohol and drugs that treat sleep disorders.

Can you take methocarbamol with diclofenac?

There is no known drug interaction between methocarbamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac. You may take methocarbamol and diclofenac together. Because it may cause drowsiness or dizziness, methocarbamol interacts with other drugs that have similar effects, such as alcohol and drugs that treat sleep disorders.

Does methocarbamol make you sleepy?

Yes, methocarbamol can cause sleepiness. It may affect your ability to think or to do physical abilities such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle. While taking methocarbamol, you should avoid taking other drugs that have similar effects, such as alcohol and medicines that treat sleep disorders.

Does methocarbamol cause weight gain?

Methocarbamol is not known to cause weight gain. The most common side effects of methocarbamol are drowsiness or dizziness. It can also cause headaches in some people.

What is Ardosons called in the U.S?

Ardosons is a medicine reported as being from Mexico that may contain 25 mg of indomethacin (in Spanish called "indometacina"), 0.75 mg of betamethasone ("betametasona") and 215 mg of methocarbamol ("metocarbamol") per capsule. There is no FDA-approved oral combination product in the U.S. that is equivalent to Ardosons. The safety and effectiveness of imported online drugs have not been reviewed by the FDA and their identity and potency can't be assured. Continue reading

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Robaxin only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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