Drug Basics & Safety

The Comprehensive Guide to Methocarbamol Side Effects and Precautions!

Methocarbamol

Are you in search of the methocarbamol side effects? If your answer is YES, then you have reached the right place.

There are a number of drugs that are available in the market. While some of them are for medicinal or health purposes and are prescribed by the doctors, there are many that become addictive after a certain point of time.

People become dependent on these medicines. And needless to say, all forms of drugs have their respective set of side effects. That is also the case with methocarbamol.

If you are looking for the methocarbamol side effects, you will find this article to be of help. Keep reading this blog till the end to learn more about the same…

What Is Methocarbamol?

Sold under the name of Robaxin, methocarbamol is a drug that is primarily prescribed for treating muscle cramps and spasms. The drug is used for treating muscle aches along with rest and physical therapy.

Generally taken as an oral drug, methocarbamol can also be injected directed into the site of ache or strain. It provides relief from muscle stiffness. However, you must keep in mind that this medicine, no matter how much potential it has to provide relief, cannot “take the place of rest, exercise, physical therapy, or other treatment that your doctor may recommend for your medical problem.”

Methocarbamol Side Effects: How Does It Affect Your Body And Brain?

Methocarbamol Affect Your Body

In case you were searching for the side effects of this drug, you have come to the right place. Here are some of the most common methocarbamol side effects that people face when they take this medicine:

  • Black or tarry stools
  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Diarrhea
  • Chills
  • Changes in skin color
  • Feeling of warmth
  • Cough
  • Dark urine
  • Dizziness
  • Difficulty in swallowing
  • Clay-colored stools
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Fever
  • Joint or muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Loss or problems with memory
  • Nausea
  • Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
  • Numbness or tingling of face, hands, or feet
  • Loss of bladder control
  • Large, hive-like swelling on the face, tongue, eyelids, throat lips, hands, feet, legs, or sex organs
  • Loss of appetite
  • Puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  • Painful or difficult urination
  • Tenderness, pain or swelling of leg

There are some other side effects of methocarbamol that you must also keep in mind. Some of them are:

  • Indigestion
  • Belching
  • Drowsiness
  • Uncontrolled eye movements
  • Heartburn
  • Double vision
  • Mood or mental changes
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Stomach discomfort.

If you overdose on the methocarbamol, you might have some other side effects of the drug. Some of them are:

  • Tremors on one side of the body
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Loss of memory
  • Vertigo
  • Seizures
  • Increased rate of heartbeat

Correct Dosage Of Methocarbamol

Now that you know about the methocarbamol side effects, it is time for you to know what is the correct dosage of the medicine. This will help you stay aware of when you might be overdosing on the drug.

The dosage of the drug is different among adults, seniors, and children. Here are some if the dosage recommendations that you need to keep in mind:

AGE GROUPSTARTING DOSEMAINTENANCE DOSETIMES TO TAKE
0-15 yearsNot safe to useNot safe to useNot safe to use
16-17 years6,000 mg/day4,000–4,500 mg/day1,500 mg, 4 times a day
18-65 years6,000 mg/day4,000–4,500 mg/day1,500 mg, 4 times a day
65 years+Consult the doctorConsult the doctorConsult the doctor

Interactions With Other Drugs

Now that you know about the methocarbamol side effects that you were searching for, it is time that you learn about the interactions that this drug has with other drugs or medicines that you take.

If you are prescribed to take methocarbamol, there are a few things that you must keep in mind. Taking methocarbamol along with certain other drugs might have certain side effects like increased heart rate and drowsiness.

Here are some of the kinds and types of drugs that methocarbamol might have interactions with:

  • Antipsychotics: haloperidol, chlorpromazine, quetiapine
  • Pain drugs or pain killers: oxycodone, morphine, doxepin
  • Anxiety drugs: diazepam, alprazolam, lorazepam, clonazepam
  • Antidepressants: amitriptyline, imipramine, doxepin
  • Herbal products: valerian root

Methocarbamol is also known to interact with alcohol. So if you are taking this drug, it is best that you do not have alcohol until the course is over. This is because both components might have some sedative effects on your body.

Methocarbamol Warning

In case you are thinking about what else to keep in mind other than the methocarbamol side effects, I have a complete list for you. Here are some of the things that you need to have in mind:

1. Pregnant Woman

Pregnant Woman

Methocarbamol is considered to be a category C pregnancy drug, according to Healthline. This means that taking this medicine while you are pregnant might have adverse effects on the fetus. Thus, it is advised not to take this medicine while you are pregnant.

2. Women Who Are Breastfeeding

Considering that most drugs are dissolved in the body and get spread by the bloodstream, there is one thing that you need to keep in mind when you are taking methocarbamol. Research states that it is best that you do not take this drug when you are breastfeeding. This is because the drug “may pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed.”

3. Seniors

Seniors

There are a lot of health related issues that one might face with old age. Because the kidneys start functioning less with age, studies say that it can “cause your body to process drugs more slowly.” It is best to take the advice of your doctor before you take this medicine.

Wrapping It Up!

In case you were searching for the methocarbamol side effects, I hope that this article has been of help to you. If there are any other queries that you might have related to the same, feel free to let me know in the comment box at the bottom of the page.

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Harsha Sharma
Harsha is a senior content writer with numerous hobbies who takes great pride in spreading kindness. Earning a Postgraduate degree in Microbiology, she invests her time reading and informing people about various topics, particularly health and lifestyle. She believes in continuous learning, with life as her inspiration, and opines that experiences enrich our lives.

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