Methocarbamol oral tablet side effects: A detailed guide

Doctors recommend using methocarbamol along with physical therapy and rest.

This article describes possible side effects of methocarbamol oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for methocarbamol.

Methocarbamol oral tablet is a generic medication. It isn’t available in a brand-name version as a tablet.  Methocarbamol also comes in an injectable form, but this form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about this form, talk with your doctor.

You can explore this overview article to learn more about methocarbamol oral tablet, including the drug’s uses, its dosage, and more.

More common side effects of methocarbamol

Methocarbamol oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.

Commonly reported side effects of methocarbamol oral tablet include:

• sedation
• dizziness
• headache
• upset stomach
• nausea and vomiting

Mild side effects of methocarbamol

Methocarbamol may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be managed easily. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of methocarbamol oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• dizziness or lightheadedness
• eye problems, including:
  • blurry vision
  • double vision
  • nystagmus (involuntary, rapid movement of the eyes)
  • conjunctivitis (infection or swelling of the eye)
• sedation
• fever
• forgetfulness or memory loss
• fluid retention
• flushing
• headache
• insomnia
• itchy skin
• metallic taste in the mouth
• nasal congestion
• nausea and vomiting
• muscle coordination problems
• upset stomach
• mild allergic reaction*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of methocarbamol in detail” section below.

Methocarbamol oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Serious side effects of methocarbamol

Methocarbamol may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from methocarbamol oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, act immediately. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with methocarbamol oral tablet.

Serious side effects of methocarbamol oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• leukopenia (low white blood cell level)
• seizure
• slowed heart rate
• central nervous system (CNS) depression*
• hypotension (low blood pressure) and fainting*
• cholestatic jaundice*
• severe allergic reaction*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of methocarbamol in detail” section below.

Common questions about side effects of methocarbamol

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of methocarbamol oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How do the side effects of methocarbamol 750 mg compare with those of methocarbamol 500 mg?

Side effects of methocarbamol are expected to be the same regardless of the strength you take.

Generally, taking a higher dose of methocarbamol may increase your risk of side effects from it. But it usually won’t cause side effects different from those caused by a lower dose.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have additional questions about your methocarbamol dose.

Can methocarbamol cause certain side effects in older adults?

Methocarbamol isn’t known to cause side effects that differ between older and younger adults. (People ages 65 years and older are usually considered older adults.)

But older adults are generally at higher risk of central nervous system (CNS) depression. This is a side effect of methocarbamol. To learn more about this side effect, review the “Side effects of methocarbamol in detail” section below.

Older adults are also more likely to have kidney problems. Having a kidney problem could affect how your body gets rid of methocarbamol. To learn more about methocarbamol and kidney problems, see the “Warnings for methocarbamol” section below.

You can ask your doctor for more information about side effects and methocarbamol treatment.

Is weight gain a side effect of methocarbamol?

No, weight gain isn’t a known side effect of methocarbamol. It wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.

Methocarbamol helps relieve pain and discomfort caused by musculoskeletal conditions. Along with it, doctors recommend measures such as rest and physical therapy. But pain and discomfort can make it difficult to perform exercises, including physical therapy. For some people, this can add to weight gain.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your weight. They can advise on ways to maintain a weight that’s healthy for you.

If I take methocarbamol, will I experience constipation?

It’s unlikely that you’ll have constipation from methocarbamol treatment. This isn’t a side effect reported in the drug’s studies.

But methocarbamol may cause other digestive side effects, including upset stomach and nausea. If you have these side effects, you can ask your doctor about ways to resolve them.

Does methocarbamol cause long-term side effects?

Methocarbamol isn’t considered to cause long-term side effects. Studies don’t show that any were reported.

Side effects caused by methocarbamol should go away when treatment stops. If you must continue treatment, your doctor can recommend treatments or lifestyle changes to reduce the side effects.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have concerns about methocarbamol’s side effects and how long they may last.

Warnings for methocarbamol

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking methocarbamol oral tablet.

Warnings

It may not be safe for you to take methocarbamol oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether methocarbamol oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking methocarbamol oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health history and medications you take. Things to consider include those listed below.

Kidney problems. If you have a kidney problem, tell your doctor before taking methocarbamol. One example is chronic kidney disease (CKD). Your body relies on your kidneys to help get rid of methocarbamol after you take a dose. But if you have a kidney problem, the drug could build up in your body. This could raise your risk of side effects. An example of a serious side effect that could occur is central nervous system (CNS) depression.

If you have a kidney problem, your doctor can help determine whether methocarbamol is safe for you to take.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to methocarbamol oral tablet or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe this medication. Ask them about other treatment options that may be better for you.

Methocarbamol and pregnancy

Your doctor may advise you not to take methocarbamol during pregnancy. People have reported congenital anomalies* in newborns exposed to the drug during pregnancy.

Learn more from your doctor about different treatments for your condition that can be taken during pregnancy. Together, you can weigh their risks and benefits.

* These are also called birth defects.

Methocarbamol and breastfeeding

It isn’t known whether methocarbamol passes into breast milk. It’s also not known what side effects it might cause in a child who is breastfed.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about safe feeding options for your child during methocarbamol treatment.

Methocarbamol and alcohol

Methocarbamol oral tablet is known to interact with alcohol.

Both methocarbamol and alcohol can cause CNS depression. So combining the two raises your risk of CNS depression. Furthermore, it could be severe.

If you combine methocarbamol and alcohol, you raise your risk of a methocarbamol overdose. A methocarbamol overdose can be fatal.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor before starting methocarbamol treatment. Discuss how much, if any, is safe to consume during treatment with methocarbamol oral tablet.

Coupon for methocarbamol

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for methocarbamol when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Side effects of methocarbamol in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of methocarbamol oral tablet.

Central nervous system (CNS) depression

CNS depression is a known side effect of methocarbamol. This is because the drug is a CNS depressant, which intentionally slows down the CNS. (The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord.) It’s not known how common CNS depression was in the drug’s studies.

Older adults are generally at higher risk of CNS depression. (People ages 65 years and older are usually considered older adults.)

With methocarbamol treatment, CNS depression is reported to cause several mild symptoms. These mild symptoms include sleepiness and drowsiness.

But sometimes, symptoms of CNS depression can be serious. Serious symptoms include:

• confusion, which can impair your ability to make decisions
• problems with balance and coordination
• inability to drive a car, operate machinery, or carry out other activities that require coordination and mental alertness
• slowed heart rate

Ways to manage

Before you start methocarbamol, talk with your doctor about the symptoms of CNS depression to watch for. Keep in mind that the drug works by depressing your CNS. But this doesn’t mean that you’ll have CNS depression. Each person can experience different symptoms and degrees of CNS depression caused by methocarbamol. And some people won’t have it at all.

When you first start taking methocarbamol, avoid or limit activities such as driving a car or operating machinery. This will allow you to learn how the drug affects you and what activities are safe to continue.

If you have symptoms of CNS depression that bother you or are severe, talk with your doctor. They can advise whether it’s safe for you to continue taking methocarbamol. They can also discuss ways to treat your symptoms.

Hypotension (low blood pressure) and fainting

Hypotension is a side effect of methocarbamol, which may lead to fainting. In turn, that can result in accidental injuries, such as bruising or broken bones.

Hypotension, fainting, and accidental injury were reported in methocarbamol’s studies. But it’s not known how often or how long each side effect occurred.

Symptoms of hypotension include:

• fatigue (low energy)
• lightheadedness
• feeling as if you’ll faint
• clammy skin
• blurry vision

Ways to manage

Tell your doctor if you experience symptoms of hypotension during methocarbamol treatment, especially if you faint. Your doctor can evaluate your symptoms and determine the best treatment or lifestyle changes. This may include stopping treatment with methocarbamol.

Cholestatic jaundice

It’s possible to have cholestatic jaundice as a side effect from taking methocarbamol. It isn’t known how often this side effect occurred in studies of methocarbamol.

With jaundice, your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow. “Cholestatic” means the jaundice is caused by cholestasis. This is a liver condition where the flow of bile from your liver is reduced or blocked.

Symptoms of cholestatic jaundice can include:

• yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
• itchy skin
• pain in your upper-right belly
• fatigue

Ways to manage

Call your doctor if you think you’re having symptoms of cholestatic jaundice during methocarbamol treatment. Your doctor will likely want to see you for an in-office appointment to review your symptoms. Then, they can advise you on the best way to treat this side effect. This could include stopping treatment with methocarbamol.

Allergic reaction

For some people, methocarbamol oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. But it isn’t clear how often this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies. In general, allergic reactions to methocarbamol are rare.

Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:

• itchiness
• skin rash
• swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know if you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to methocarbamol oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of methocarbamol oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Do my health history and other medications I take raise my risk of side effects from methocarbamol?
• How do the side effects of methocarbamol compare with other treatments for my condition?
• Will I have withdrawal symptoms if I need to stop taking methocarbamol?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.