methocarbamol
Brand names: Robaxin
Methocarbamol is a muscle relaxant. It helps to relieve discomfort from painful muscle problems.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.03/unit
Generic Available
Yes (16 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
This medicine treats the discomfort caused by painful muscle problems.
Common side effects
Drowsiness, Dizziness, Lightheadedness
Key warnings
Methocarbamol can interact with alcohol and other drugs that affect your central nervous system.
How It Works
Methocarbamol is a central nervous system depressant. It likely works by making you feel calm and relaxed. This may help to relieve muscle discomfort.
How to Take It
Take this medicine exactly as your doctor tells you. For 500mg tablets, the usual starting dose is 3 tablets four times a day. The maintenance dose is usually 2 tablets four times a day. For 750mg tablets, the usual starting dose is 2 tablets four times a day. The maintenance dose is usually 1 tablet every 4 hours, or 2 tablets three times a day.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
It is not known if methocarbamol can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store at room temperature, between 68°F and 77°F, in a tightly closed container.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 12,349 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 21,191 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
21,191
Death-Related Reports
1,643
Hospitalization Reports
6,345
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PAIN | 1,639 |
| 2 | NAUSEA | 1,565 |
| 3 | FATIGUE | 1,531 |
| 4 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 1,431 |
| 5 | HEADACHE | 1,201 |
| 6 | DIARRHOEA | 1,078 |
| 7 | FALL | 1,046 |
| 8 | DYSPNOEA | 995 |
| 9 | ARTHRALGIA | 963 |
| 10 | DIZZINESS | 909 |
| 11 | ANXIETY | 884 |
| 12 | BACK PAIN | 884 |
| 13 | OFF LABEL USE | 862 |
| 14 | DEPRESSION | 797 |
| 15 | VOMITING | 789 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Methocarbamol can interact with alcohol and other drugs that affect your central nervous system. Be careful when taking these together.
Common Questions
Can I drink alcohol while taking this medicine?
Will this medicine make me sleepy?
Can I drive while taking this medicine?
What should I do if I have side effects?
Can I take this with other medicines?
How long does it take for this medicine to work?
What if this medicine doesn't relieve my pain?
Can I stop taking this medicine when I feel better?
Is it okay to take this medication if I have kidney problems?
Can children take this medicine?
What are the common side effects of methocarbamol?
What drug class is methocarbamol?
Is methocarbamol safe during pregnancy?
Has methocarbamol been recalled?
Active Recalls
Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Media fill with bacterial contamination
Somerset Therapeutics Private Limited
Related Medications in Muscle Relaxant
Other drugs grouped near methocarbamol — same-class peers and common alternatives.
baclofen
Lioresal, Gablofen
Baclofen is a muscle relaxant.
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botulinum toxin A
Botox
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carisoprodol
Soma
Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant.
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chlorzoxazone
Parafon Forte
Chlorzoxazone is a muscle relaxant.
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cyclobenzaprine
Flexeril, Amrix
Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant.
Compare with methocarbamol →
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What the FDA Data Shows for methocarbamol
The FDA label for methocarbamol (sold under brand names such as Robaxin) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Muscle Relaxant class. This medicine treats the discomfort caused by painful muscle problems. Official labeling lists 5 commonly reported side effects, including Drowsiness, Dizziness, Lightheadedness.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 12,349 voluntary reports. Interaction data is drawn directly from FDA-approved prescribing information. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.03.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 1 recall record on file), and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: August 1, 2020
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages