pharmacopeia
GET
/api/v1/drug/methocarbamol
2D structure
[2-hydroxy-3-(2-methoxyphenoxy)propyl] carbamate
SMILES COC1=CC=CC=C1OCC(COC(=O)N)O
InChIKey GNXFOGHNGIVQEH-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Mechanism of action

Sourced from openFDA

Mechanism-of-action class: Unknown Cellular or Molecular Interaction.

Indications

Sourced from openFDA
  • Methocarbamol tablets, USP are indicated as an adjunct to rest, physical therapy, and other measures for the relief of discomfort associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions. The mode of action of methocarbamol has not been clearly identified, but may be related to its sedative properties.

Contraindications

Sourced from openFDA
  • Methocarbamol tablets, USP are contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to methocarbamol or to any of the tablet components.contraindicated

Dosage & administration

Sourced from openFDA

Methocarbamol tablets, USP, 500 mg – Adults: Initial dosage: 3 tablets q.i.d. Maintenance dosage: 2 tablets q.i.d. Methocarbamol tablets, USP: 750 mg – Adults: Initial dosage: 2 tablets q.i.d. Maintenance dosage: 1 tablet q.4h. or 2 tablets t.i.d. Six grams a day are recommended for the first 48 to 72 hours of treatment. (For severe conditions 8 grams a day may be administered). Thereafter, the dosage can usually be reduced to approximately 4 grams a day.

Warnings & precautions

Sourced from openFDA

Since methocarbamol may possess a general CNS depressant effect, patients receiving Methocarbamol tablets, USP should be cautioned about combined effects with alcohol and other CNS depressants. Safe use of Methocarbamol tablets, USP has not been established with regard to possible adverse effects upon fetal development. There have been reports of fetal and congenital abnormalities following in utero exposure to methocarbamol. Therefore, Methocarbamol tablets, USP should not be used in women who are or may become pregnant and particularly during early pregnancy unless in the judgment of the physician the potential benefits outweigh the possible hazards (see Precautions, Pregnancy ). Use In Activities Requiring Mental Alertness Methocarbamol may impair mental and/or physical abilities required for performance of hazardous tasks, such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle. Patients should be cautioned about operating machinery, including automobiles, until they are reasonably certain that methocarbamol therapy does not adversely affect their ability to engage in such activities.

Adverse reactions

Sourced from openFDA

Adverse reactions reported coincident with the administration of methocarbamol include: Body as a whole: Anaphylactic reaction, angioneurotic edema, fever, headache Cardiovascular system: Bradycardia, flushing, hypotension, syncope, thrombophlebitis Digestive system: Dyspepsia, jaundice (including cholestatic jaundice), nausea and vomiting Hemic and lymphatic system: Leukopenia Immune system: Hypersensitivity reactions Nervous system: Amnesia, confusion, diplopia, dizziness or lightheadedness, drowsiness, insomnia, mild muscular incoordination, nystagmus, sedation, seizures (including grand mal), vertigo Skin and special senses: Blurred vision, conjunctivitis, nasal congestion, metallic taste, pruritus, rash, urticaria

Use in specific populations

Sourced from openFDA

Pregnancy Teratogenic effects Pregnancy Category C Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with methocarbamol. It is also not known whether methocarbamol can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Methocarbamol tablets, USP should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. Safe use of Methocarbamol tablets, USP has not been established with regard to possible adverse effects upon fetal development. There have been reports of fetal and congenital abnormalities following in utero exposure to methocarbamol. Therefore, Methocarbamol tablets, USP should not be used in women who are or may become pregnant and particularly during early pregnancy unless in the judgment of the physician the potential benefits outweigh the possible hazards (see Warnings ). Nursing mothers Methocarbamol and/or its metabolites are excreted in the milk of dogs; however, it is not known whether methocarbamol or its metabolites are excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Methocarbamol tablets, USP are administered to a nursing woman. Pediatric use Safety and effectiveness of Methocarbamol tablets, USP in pediatric patients below the age of 16 have not been established.

Pharmacokinetics

Sourced from openFDA
Metabolism
In healthy volunteers, the plasma clearance of methocarbamol ranges between 0.20 and 0.80 L/h/kg, the mean plasma elimination half-life ranges between 1 and 2 hours, and the plasma protein binding ranges between 46% and 50%. Methocarbamol is metabolized via dealkylation and hydroxylation.

Overdosage

Sourced from openFDA

Limited information is available on the acute toxicity of methocarbamol. Overdose of methocarbamol is frequently in conjunction with alcohol or other CNS depressants and includes the following symptoms: nausea, drowsiness, blurred vision, hypotension, seizures, and coma. In post-marketing experience, deaths have been reported with an overdose of methocarbamol alone or in the presence of other CNS depressants, alcohol or psychotropic drugs. Treatment Management of overdose includes symptomatic and supportive treatment. Supportive measures include maintenance of an adequate airway, monitoring urinary output and vital signs, and administration of intravenous fluids if necessary. The usefulness of hemodialysis in managing overdose is unknown.

Approval history

Sourced from openFDA
  • Jun 10, 1959NDANDA011790Hikma
  • Oct 29, 1979ANDAANDA086988Prinston Inc
  • Jan 29, 2003ANDAANDA040489Oxford Pharms
  • Nov 6, 2009ANDAANDA090200Hetero Labs Ltd Iii
  • Oct 21, 2011ANDAANDA200958Bostal
  • May 27, 2016ANDAANDA206128Eugia Pharma
  • Jan 19, 2017ANDAANDA208116Slate Run Pharma
  • Jul 30, 2025NDANDA219843Rosemont Pharms

FAERS reports

View JSON
Reference statistics only. FAERS reports are voluntarily submitted and are not incidence rates, safety signals, or causal evidence. Counts reflect reporting volume — how often a reaction was reported, not how often it occurs. For decision-grade use, consult openFDA and the FAERS Public Dashboard directly.
21,897 total reports matchedLatest report Share = reports listing the reaction ÷ total matched reports. Rows can sum to >100% because a single report often lists multiple reactions.
  1. 1Pain1,6807.7%
  2. 2Nausea1,6237.4%
  3. 3Fatigue1,5927.3%
  4. 4Drug Ineffective1,4696.7%
  5. 5Headache1,2415.7%
  6. 6Diarrhoea1,1325.2%
  7. 7Fall1,0724.9%
  8. 8Dyspnoea1,0234.7%
  9. 9Arthralgia9944.5%
  10. 10Dizziness9394.3%
  11. 11Off Label Use9244.2%
  12. 12Back Pain9064.1%
  13. 13Anxiety9024.1%
  14. 14Vomiting8263.8%
  15. 15Depression8123.7%

Literature

View JSON

Recent PubMed references pinned to Methocarbamol as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Clinical trials

View JSON

The 10 most recently updated of 43 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Methocarbamol as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.

Frequently asked questions

How does Methocarbamol work?
Mechanism-of-action class: Unknown Cellular or Molecular Interaction.
What is Methocarbamol used for?
According to FDA labeling, Methocarbamol carries indications including: Methocarbamol tablets, USP are indicated as an adjunct to rest, physical therapy, and other measures for the relief of discomfort associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions. The mode of action of methocarbamol has not been clearly identified, but may be related to its sedative properties.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.
What class of drug is Methocarbamol?
Methocarbamol is classified as Carbamic acid esters, Muscle Relaxant, Unknown Cellular or Molecular Interaction, Centrally-mediated Muscle Relaxation, Decreased Central Nervous System Organized Electrical Activity, Striated Muscle Metabolic Alteration.
What are the brand names for Methocarbamol?
Methocarbamol is marketed under brand names including Atmeksi, Robaxin, Tanlor.
What are the contraindications for Methocarbamol?
Methocarbamol labeling lists contraindications including: Methocarbamol tablets, USP are contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to methocarbamol or to any of the tablet components.. Always consult the full prescribing information and a clinician.
Note. Data for methocarbamol is illustrative MVP content compiled from public sources. pharmacopeia is for educational and informational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

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