Robaxin
® (
methocarbamol) is a prescription muscle relaxant approved for relieving the pain associated with short-term, painful "musculoskeletal conditions," such as muscle spasms due to an injury. It should be used in combination with rest, physical therapy, and other treatments.
(Click Robaxin Uses for more information on what this drug is used for, including possible off-label indications.)
Brand-name Robaxin tablets are made by Schwarz Pharma, while brand-name injectable Robaxin is made by Baxter Healthcare Corporation. Generic versions are made by various manufacturers.
It is not clear exactly how this medication helps to relieve muscle spasms. However, it is known to work mostly in the central nervous system (the brain and the spinal cord), not directly on the muscles.
Some general considerations to keep in mind when taking Robaxin include the following:
- Robaxin comes in tablet form. It is usually taken three or four times daily.
- An injectable form of this drug is also available for injection into a vein or a muscle.
- You can take Robaxin with or without food.
- For the medicine to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed.
The dose of Robaxin your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- How you respond to this medication
- The severity of your condition
- Other medications you take
- Any other medical conditions you may have.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically tells you to do so.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Robaxin. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience problems. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can be treated easily by you or your healthcare provider. Serious reactions are less common.
Some of the possible side effects of Robaxin include but are not limited to:
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Confusion.
(Click Robaxin Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Robaxin if you have:
- Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure)
- Seizures or epilepsy
- Any allergies, including to food, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take a Robaxin Overdose?
An overdose with this medication may be dangerous, and some deaths have been reported. If you happen to take too much Robaxin, seek immediate medical attention.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you forget to take your dose of Robaxin, simply skip the one you missed and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
Robaxin tablets come in one strength -- Robaxin 750 mg. At one point, 500-mg tablets were available, but the manufacturer of Robaxin has decided to stop making this strength. Generic versions of the 500-mg tablets are still available.
An injectable form is also available in 10-mL, single-dose vials (with 100 mg of medication per mL).
Can I Buy Generic Robaxin?
This medication is available in generic form
(see Generic Robaxin for more information).
