Two medicines, side by side
Cyclobenzaprine vs methocarbamol
Cyclobenzaprine and methocarbamol are both labeled for muscle spasms and spasticity. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cyclobenzaprine since 1977 and of methocarbamol since 1957. Pharmacies paid $0.0171 per cyclobenzaprine 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. Cyclobenzaprine's other strengths are brand-only: $29.61 per tablet (Tonmya 2.8 mg tablet sl).
Check it at the source: the cyclobenzaprine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 21, 2025); the methocarbamol FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 17, 2026).
Highlights of the cyclobenzaprine record
Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) · label of February 21, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsCyclobenzaprine hydrochloride tablets, USP are indicated as an adjunct to rest and physical therapy for relief of muscle spasm associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions. Improvement is manifested by relief of muscle spasm and its associated signs and symptoms, namely, pain, tenderness, limitation of motion, and restriction in activities of daily living. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 26, 1977
- Generic labelers
- 59 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0171 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 (Cyclobenzaprine label of February 21, 2025, Methocarbamol label of March 17, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cyclobenzaprine and methocarbamol differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class muscle relaxants.
Half-life, in each label's words: Cyclobenzaprine, “Cyclobenzaprine is eliminated quite slowly, with an effective half-life of 18 hours (range 8 to 37 hours; n=18); …”; Methocarbamol, “Pharmacokinetics In healthy volunteers, the plasma clearance of methocarbamol ranges between 0.20 and 0.80 L/h/kg, the …”
Generics: cyclobenzaprine since 1988; methocarbamol since 1974 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cyclobenzaprine | Methocarbamol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Muscle spasms and spasticity, Nerve pain and fibromyalgia | Muscle spasms and spasticity |
| Pharmacologic class | Muscle Relaxant | 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) | Cyclobenzaprine is eliminated quite slowly, with an effective half-life of 18 hours (range 8 to 37 hours; n=18); plasma clearance is 0.7 L/min. | 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) | August 26, 1977 | July 16, 1957 |
| First generic approved | February 29, 1988 | October 22, 1974 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 59 labelers | 65 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0171 per tablet (Cyclobenzaprine 10 mg tablet) | $0.0395 per tablet (Methocarbamol 500 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | +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) | 50,442 | 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?
Cyclobenzaprine label, warningsIf concomitant treatment with cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride and other serotonergic drugs is clinically warranted, careful observation is advised, particularly during treatment initiation or dose increases (see PRECAUTIONS :
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 cyclobenzaprine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions