Two medicines, side by side
Carisoprodol vs methocarbamol
Carisoprodol and methocarbamol are both labeled for muscle spasms and spasticity. Drugs@FDA records approvals of carisoprodol since 1959 and of methocarbamol since 1957. Pharmacies paid $0.0706 per carisoprodol 350 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. How each works, in its label's words: Carisoprodol, “The mechanism of action of carisoprodol in relieving discomfort associated with acute painful musculoskeletal conditions has not been clearly identified.”; Methocarbamol, “of methocarbamol in humans has not been established, but may be due to general central nervous system (CNS) depression.”
Check it at the source: the carisoprodol FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 15, 2025); the methocarbamol FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 17, 2026).
Highlights of the carisoprodol record
Carisoprodol (Soma) · label of July 15, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsCarisoprodol tablets are indicated for the relief of discomfort associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions in adults. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 9, 1959
- Generic labelers
- 24 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0706 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
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 (Carisoprodol label of July 15, 2025, Methocarbamol label of March 17, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do carisoprodol and methocarbamol differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Carisoprodol, “The mechanism of action of carisoprodol in relieving discomfort associated with acute painful musculoskeletal conditions has not been clearly identified.”; Methocarbamol, “of methocarbamol in humans has not been established, but may be due to general central nervous system (CNS) depression.”
Both are in FDA's class muscle relaxants.
Half-life, in each label's words: Carisoprodol, “Excretion Carisoprodol is eliminated by both renal and non-renal routes with a terminal elimination half-life of …”; Methocarbamol, “Pharmacokinetics In healthy volunteers, the plasma clearance of methocarbamol ranges between 0.20 and 0.80 L/h/kg, the …”
Generics: carisoprodol since 1979; methocarbamol since 1974 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: carisoprodol CIV; methocarbamol none.
| Carisoprodol | Methocarbamol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Muscle spasms and spasticity | Muscle spasms and spasticity |
| Pharmacologic class | Muscle Relaxant | Muscle Relaxant |
| How it works (label) | The mechanism of action of carisoprodol in relieving discomfort associated with acute painful musculoskeletal conditions has not been clearly identified. | 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) | Excretion Carisoprodol is eliminated by both renal and non-renal routes with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 2 hours. | 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) | April 9, 1959 | July 16, 1957 |
| First generic approved | June 12, 1979 | October 22, 1974 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 24 labelers | 65 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0706 per tablet (Carisoprodol 350 mg tablet) | $0.0395 per tablet (Methocarbamol 500 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +3% | +6% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 6 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 18,964 | 22,591 |
| DEA schedule | CIV | 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 carisoprodol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions