Two medicines, side by side
Baclofen vs methocarbamol
Baclofen and methocarbamol are both labeled for muscle spasms and spasticity. Drugs@FDA records approvals of baclofen since 1977 and of methocarbamol since 1957. Pharmacies paid $0.032 per baclofen 10 mg tablet and $0.0395 per methocarbamol 500 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, baclofen is a gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic agonist and methocarbamol a muscle relaxant.
Check it at the source: the baclofen FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 12, 2024); the methocarbamol FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 17, 2026).
Highlights of the baclofen record
Baclofen (Gablofen) · label of August 12, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsBaclofen tablets USP are useful for the alleviation of signs and symptoms of spasticity resulting from multiple sclerosis, particularly for the relief of flexor spasms and concomitant pain, clonus, and muscular rigidity. Patients should have reversible spasticity so that baclofen treatment will aid in restoring residual function. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 22, 1977
- Generic labelers
- 55 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.032 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Highlights of the methocarbamol record
Methocarbamol (Robaxin) · label of March 17, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsMethocarbamol is 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.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 16, 1957
- Generic labelers
- 65 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0395 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 6
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Baclofen label of August 12, 2024, Methocarbamol label of March 17, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do baclofen and methocarbamol differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, baclofen is a gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic agonist and methocarbamol a muscle relaxant.
Generics: baclofen since 1988; methocarbamol since 1974 (Drugs@FDA).
| Baclofen | Methocarbamol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Muscle spasms and spasticity | Muscle spasms and spasticity |
| Pharmacologic class | gamma-Aminobutyric Acid-ergic Agonist | Muscle Relaxant |
| How it works (label) | n/a | 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. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Pharmacokinetics 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 … |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 22, 1977 | July 16, 1957 |
| First generic approved | July 21, 1988 | October 22, 1974 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 55 labelers | 65 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.032 per tablet (Baclofen 10 mg tablet) | $0.0395 per tablet (Methocarbamol 500 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | +6% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 3 | 6 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 88,351 | 22,591 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Methocarbamol label, warningsWARNINGS Since methocarbamol may possess a general CNS depressant effect, patients receiving methocarbamol tablets should be cautioned about combined effects with alcohol and other CNS depressants.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to baclofen
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions