About The Drug Robaxin aka Methocarbamol

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Find Robaxin side effects, uses, warnings, interactions and indications. Robaxin is also known as Methocarbamol.

Robaxin

Robaxin Prescription Drug Bottle
About Robaxin aka Methocarbamol

What's The Definition Of The Medical Condition Robaxin?

Clinical Pharmacology

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY The mechanism of action of methocarbamol in humans has not been established, but may be due to general central nervous system (CNS) depression. It has no direct action on the contractile mechanism of striated muscle, the motor end plate or the nerve fiber. Pharmacokinetics In healthy volunteers, the plasma clearance of methocarbamol ranges between 0.20 and 0.80 L/h/kg, the mean plasma elimination halflife ranges between 1 and 2 hours, and the plasma protein binding ranges between 46% and 50%. Methocarbamol is metabolized via dealkylation and hydroxylation. Conjugation of methocarbamol also is likely. Essentially all methocarbamol metabolites are eliminated in the urine. Small amounts of unchanged methocarbamol also are excreted in the urine. Special Populations Elderly The mean (± SD) elimination halflife of methocarbamol in elderly healthy volunteers (mean (± SD) age, 69 (± 4) years) was slightly prolonged compared to a younger (mean (± SD) age, 53.3 (± 8.8) years), healthy population (1.5 (± 0.4) hours versus 1.1 (±0.27) hours, respectively). The fraction of bound methocarbamol was slightly decreased in the elderly versus younger volunteers (41 to 43% versus 46 to 50%, respectively). Renally Impaired The clearance of methocarbamol in 8 renallyimpaired patients on maintenance hemodialysis was reduced about 40% compared to 17 normal subjects, although the mean (± SD) elimination halflife in these two groups was similar: 1.2 (± 0.6) versus 1.1 (±0.3) hours, respectively. Hepatically Impaired In 8 patients with cirrhosis secondary to alcohol abuse, the mean total clearance of methocarbamol was reduced approximately 70% compared to that obtained in 8 age-and weight-matched normal subjects. The mean (± SD) elimination half-life in the cirrhotic patients and the normal subjects was 3.38 (± 1.62) hours and 1.11 (± 0.27) hours, respectively. The percent of methocarbamol bound to plasma proteins was decreased to approximately 40 to 45% compared to 46 to 50% in the normal subjects.

Drug Description

Find Lowest Prices on robaxin®/robaxin 750® (methocarbamol) tablets, USP DESCRIPTION robaxin®/robaxin®- 750 (methocarbamol tablets, USP), a carbamate derivative of guaifenesin, is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant with sedative and musculoskeletal relaxant properties. The chemical name of methocarbamol is 3-(2-methoxyphenoxy) -1,2propanediol 1-carbamate and has the empirical formula C11H15NO5. Its molecular weight is 241.24. The structural formula is shown below. Methocarbamol is a white powder, sparingly soluble in water and chloroform, soluble in alcohol (only with heating) and propylene glycol, and insoluble in benzene and n-hexane. robaxin® is available as a light orange, round, filmcoated tablet containing 500 mg of methocarbamol, USP for oral administration. The inactive ingredients present are corn starch, FD&C Yellow 6, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, polysorbate 20, povidone, propylene glycol, saccharin sodium, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium starch glycolate, stearic acid, titanium dioxide. robaxin®- 750 is available as an orange capsuleshaped, filmcoated tablet containing 750 mg of methocarbamol, USP for oral administration. In addition to the inactive ingredients present in robaxin®, robaxin® 750 also contains D&C Yellow 10.

Indications & Dosage

INDICATIONS robaxin® and robaxin® 750- 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. Methocarbamol does not directly relax tense skeletal muscles in man. DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION robaxin® (methocarbamol), 500 mg – Adults Initial dosage: 3 tablets q.i.d. Maintenance dosage: 2 tablets q.i.d. robaxin® 750 (methocarbamol): 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. HOW SUPPLIED robaxin® (methocarbamol tablets, USP) 500 mg tablets are light orange, round, film-coated tablets engraved with ROBAXIN 500 on the unscored side and SP above the score on the other side. They are supplied as follows: Bottles of 100 NDC 5224442910 robaxin® 750 (methocarbamol tablets, USP) 750 mg tablets are orange, capsule-shaped, film-coated tablets engraved with ROBAXIN 750 on one side and SP on the other. They are supplied as follows: Bottles of 100 NDC 5224444910 Store at controlled room temperature, between 20°C and 25°C (68°F and 77°F). Dispense in tight container. Distributed by: Actient Pharmaceuticals, LLC, Lake Forest, Illinois 60045. Revised: Mar 2011

Medication Guide

PATIENT INFORMATION Patients should be cautioned that methocarbamol may cause drowsiness or dizziness, which may impair their ability to operate motor vehicles or machinery. Because methocarbamol may possess a general CNS-depressant effect, patients should be cautioned about combined effects with alcohol and other CNS depressants.

Overdosage & Contraindications

OVERDOSE 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. CONTRAINDICATIONS robaxin® and robaxin® 750- are contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to methocarbamol or to any of the tablet components.

Side Effects & Drug Interactions

SIDE EFFECTS 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 DRUG INTERACTIONS See WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS for interaction with CNS drugs and alcohol. Methocarbamol may inhibit the effect of pyridostigmine bromide. Therefore, methocarbamol should be used with caution in patients with myasthenia gravis receiving anticholinesterase agents. Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions Methocarbamol may cause a color interference in certain screening tests for 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) using nitrosonaphthol reagent and in screening tests for urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) using the Gitlow method.

Warnings & Precautions

WARNINGS Since methocarbamol may possess a general CNS depressant effect, patients receiving robaxin® or robaxin® 750 -should be cautioned about combined effects with alcohol and other CNS depressants. Safe use of robaxin® and robaxin® 750- 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, robaxin® and robaxin® 750- 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. PRECAUTIONS Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility Long-term studies to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of methocarbamol have not been performed. No studies have been conducted to assess the effect of methocarbamol on mutagenesis or its potential to impair fertility. 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. robaxin® and robaxin® 750-should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. Safe use of robaxin® and robaxin® 750- 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, robaxin® and robaxin® 750 -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 robaxin® or robaxin® 750- is administered to a nursing woman. Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness of robaxin® and robaxin® 750 in pediatric patients below the age of 16 have not been established.

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