Professional Information — Methocarbamol

Indications and Usage

Methocarbamol tablets USP are 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.

Dosage and Administration

Methocarbamol Tablets USP 500 mg – Adults:
Initial dosage: 3 tablets q.i.d.
Maintenance dosage: 2 tablets q.i.d.

Methocarbamol Tablets USP 750 mg – Adults:
Initial dosage: 2 tablets q.i.d.
Maintenance dosage: 1 tablet q.4h. or 2 tablets t.i.d.

Six grams a day are recommended for the first 48 to 72 hours of treatment. (For severe conditions 8 grams a day may be administered). Thereafter, the dosage can usually be reduced to approximately 4 grams a day.

Contraindications

Methocarbamol tablets USP are contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to methocarbamol or to any of the tablet components.

Adverse Reactions

Adverse reactions reported coincident with the administration of methocarbamol include:
Body as a whole: Anaphylactic reaction, angioneurotic edema, fever, headache
Cardiovascular system: Bradycardia, flushing, hypotension, syncope, thrombophlebitis
Digestive system: Dyspepsia, jaundice (including cholestatic jaundice), nausea and vomiting
Hemic and lymphatic system: Leukopenia
Immune system: Hypersensitivity reactions
Nervous system: Amnesia, confusion, diplopia, dizziness or lightheadedness, drowsiness, insomnia, mild muscular incoordination, nystagmus, sedation, seizures (including grand mal), vertigo
Skin and special senses: Blurred vision, conjunctivitis, nasal congestion, metallic taste, pruritus, rash, urticarial

Drug Interactions

See WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS for interaction with CNS drugs and alcohol.

Methocarbamol may inhibit the effect of pyridostigmine bromide. Therefore, methocarbamol should be used with caution in patients with myasthenia gravis receiving anticholinesterase agents.

Overdosage

Limited information is available on the acute toxicity of methocarbamol. Overdose of methocarbamol is frequently in conjunction with alcohol or other CNS depressants and includes the following symptoms: nausea, drowsiness, blurred vision, hypotension, seizures, and coma.

In post-marketing experience, deaths have been reported with an overdose of methocarbamol alone or in the presence of other CNS depressants, alcohol or psychotropic drugs.

Treatment

Management of overdose includes symptomatic and supportive treatment. Supportive measures include maintenance of an adequate airway, monitoring urinary output and vital signs, and administration of intravenous fluids if necessary. The usefulness of hemodialysis in managing overdose is unknown.

Description

Methocarbamol tablets USP a carbamate derivative of guaifenesin, is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant with sedative and musculoskeletal relaxant properties.

The chemical name of methocarbamol is 3-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-1,2-propanediol 1-carbamate and has the empirical formula C ₁₁H ₁₅NO ₅. Its molecular weight is 241.24. The structural formula is shown below.

Methocarbamol is a white powder, sparingly soluble in water and chloroform, soluble in alcohol (only with heating) and propylene glycol, and insoluble in benzene and n-hexane.

Methocarbamol tablets USP are available as 500 mg and 750 mg tablets for oral administration. Methocarbamol tablets USP 500 mg and 750 mg contain the following inactive ingredients: sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium starch glycolate, povidone K 90, polyethylene glycol, magnesium stearate, colloidal silicon dioxide, low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose and stearic acid.

Clinical Pharmacology

The mechanism of action 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.

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 ranges between 46% and 50%.

Methocarbamol is metabolized via dealkylation and hydroxylation. Conjugation of methocarbamol also is likely. Essentially all methocarbamol metabolites are eliminated in the urine. Small amounts of unchanged methocarbamol also are excreted in the urine.

Special populations

Elderly
The mean (±SD) elimination half-life of methocarbamol in elderly healthy volunteers (mean (±SD) age, 69 (±4) years) was slightly prolonged compared to a younger (mean (±SD) age, 53.3 (±8.8) years), healthy population (1.5 (±0.4) hours versus 1.1 (±0.27) hours, respectively). The fraction of bound methocarbamol was slightly decreased in the elderly versus younger volunteers (41 to 43% versus 46 to 50%, respectively).

Renally impaired
The clearance of methocarbamol in 8 renally-impaired patients on maintenance hemodialysis was reduced about 40% compared to 17 normal subjects, although the mean (±SD) elimination half-life in these two groups was similar: 1.2 (± 0.6) versus 1.1 (±0.3) hours, respectively.

Hepatically impaired
In 8 patients with cirrhosis secondary to alcohol abuse, the mean total clearance of methocarbamol was reduced approximately 70% compared to that obtained in 8 age- and weight-matched normal subjects. The mean (±SD) elimination half-life in the cirrhotic patients and the normal subjects was 3.38 (±1.62) hours and 1.11 (±0.27) hours, respectively. The percent of methocarbamol bound to plasma proteins was decreased to approximately 40 to 45% compared to 46 to 50% in the normal subjects.

How Supplied / Storage and Handling

Methocarbamol tablets USP 500 mg are white to off white, capsule shaped, tablets debossed with ‘H’ on scored side and ‘114’ on unscored side. They are supplied as follows:

Overbagged with 10 tablets per bag, NDC 55154-2129-0

Methocarbamol tablets USP 750 mg are white to off white, capsule shaped, tablets debossed with ‘H’ on one side and ‘115’ on other side. They are supplied as follows:

Overbagged with 10 tablets per bag, NDC 55154-2130-0

WARNING: These Unit Dose packages are not child resistant and are Intended for Institutional Use Only. Keep this and all drugs out of the reach of children.

Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].

FOR YOUR PROTECTION: Do not use if blister is torn or broken.

Patient Counseling Information

Patients should be cautioned that methocarbamol may cause drowsiness or dizziness, which may impair their ability to operate motor vehicles or machinery.

Because methocarbamol may possess a general CNS-depressant effect, patients should be cautioned about combined effects with alcohol and other CNS depressants.