(For veterinary information only)
WARNING
The size of the tablet/medication is NOT an indication of a proper dose. Never administer any drug without your veterinarian's input. Serious side effects or death can occur if you use drugs on your pet without your veterinarian's advice.
It is our policy not to give dosing information over the Internet.
Brand Names: Robaxin-V
Available in 500 mg, 750 mg tablets, and injectable
Uses of this Medication
Methocarbamol is a muscle relaxant that exerts its effect by acting on the central nervous system - the nerves of the brain and spinal cord that control the muscles - rather than on the muscles themselves. Methocarbamol can be used in any condition where painful muscle spasms should be reduced for patient comfort, for example, intervertebral disk disease, but it is also considered the treatment of choice for metaldehyde (snail bait) poisoning, a condition that causes severe muscle twitching.
Methocarbamol is also used to treat tetanus, which is characterized by muscle rigidity, and strychnine poisoning, which is characterized by stiffness and seizures. In cats, methocarbamol is an important medication for treating permethrin poisoning, which occurs when permethrin flea products for dogs are inadvertently used on pet cats and small puppies.
In humans, a methocarbamol pill is active in the body within approximately 30 minutes, and activity peaks in 2 hours. Methocarbamol can be given with or without food. If a dose is accidentally skipped, give the dose when it is remembered and time the next dose accordingly. Methocarbamol is typically given 2-3 times daily.
Side Effects
In addition to being a muscle relaxant, methocarbamol also has some sedative properties. Sensitive animals will salivate or vomit.
You might notice that the patient’s urine is darker than normal on methocarbamol, but this is not cause for concern.
Interactions with other Medications
The sedative side effect is exaggerated when methocarbamol is given with other medications that have sedating properties.
Dogs with myasthenia gravis receiving pyridostigmine may experience extreme weakness if these two drugs are combined.
Sedation potential is enhanced when methocarbamol is used in conjunction with buprenorphine (narcotic pain reliever) or with mirtazapine (appetite stimulant), or with other medications that have sedating side effects.
Methocarbamol can enhance the adverse effects of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (usually used for anxiety and behavior problems).
Concerns and Cautions
Methocarbamol has not been fully tested for safety during pregnancy.
Methocarbamol should be stored away from light at room temperature.