Robaxin (Methocarbamol)

Description

Robaxin is a muscle relaxant used to treat pain in skeletal muscles due to disease or injury

 

 

 

Drug Information

 

Robaxin is a drug that uses methocarbamol as the main ingredient. It is a muscle relaxing medication that functions by stopping impulses passing through the nervous system from reaching the brain.

 

It is used in conjunction with rest and intense physical therapy, as it is perfect for the treatment of muscle conditions and their symptoms, caused either by pain or injury.

 

Precautions

 

Do not use this drug if you have allergies to the main ingredient, methocarbamol. If you have a condition such as myasthenia gravis, make sure you tell your doctor before taking it.

 

After the first couple of days of treatment, it may be necessary to lessen your dosage based on your reaction. Talk to your doctor and follow their instructions regarding the dosage carefully.

 

This drug can also cause your reaction times and thinking power to slow down and reduce. If you are going to be driving or operating machinery, exercise caution and never drink alcohol with this drug.

 

This medication is classified as having an unknown effect on unborn children. If you are or plan on becoming pregnant while taking Robaxin, tell your doctor first.

 

The tendency of the main ingredient in this drug to pass into the breast milk of a nursing mother is unknown. If you are currently nursing a child, tell your doctor before continuing to take the drug.

 

Dosage

 

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you to take it. Stick to the prescription at all times. Never take it in larger or smaller doses than you have been told to by the doctor.

 

Remember to talk to your doctor after the first couple of doses. Typically, the dosage will be reduced for the remainder of the treatment period. Ask your doctor about this and change your dose as told.

 

Some lab tests may return strange results with this medication. Talk to doctors and lab staff about the medicine you are taking before you go in for a test.

 

Robaxin is used in combination with both rest and physical therapy to form a complete treatment course.

 

If you miss a dose of this drug, take the missed dose the minute you remember. If you are about to take the next dose, ignore the one you missed and take the next one.

 

If an overdose occurs, you will experience drowsiness, fainting and seizures. Call emergency medical services immediately and talk to the local poison hotline.

 

Side Effects

 

Common side effects include:

 

 Dizziness
 Drowsiness
 Headaches
 Confusion
 Nausea
 Flushing
 Insomnia
 Mild rash

 

More severe side effects include:

 

 Fever
 Chills
 Slow pulse
 Fainting
 Seizures
 Jaundice

 

Call your doctor if you experience these side effects.

 

Interactions

 

 Don’t use Robaxin with sedatives, narcotics, other muscle relaxants and antidepressants. Stop taking the medicine if you experience an allergic reaction.

 

 Do not take any of the sleeping pills you have been prescribed earlier without talking to your doctor first. They can increase the drowsiness side effect of this medication.

 

 Make sure you tell your doctor if you are on Mestinon or pyridostigmine.