Generic Robaxin

Robaxin is a brand name for the generic drug methocarbamol. It is a central nervous system depressant and muscle relaxant used, along with other therapies such as rest and physical therapy, to relieve the pain associated with strains, sprains, or other muscle injuries and to decrease the painful spasms those conditions sometimes cause. It is prescribed in tablet form and taken three or four times a day. Robaxin is intended for short-term use and should not be taken for more than three weeks at a time.

Like all medications, Robaxin can have side effects for some people. These can include nausea, flushing, upset stomach, constipation, headache, blurred vision, low blood pressure—especially on standing from a prone position, lightheadedness, dizziness, or drowsiness, especially during the first few days of treatment as your body becomes accustomed to the medication. It may also turn your urine a dark greenish-black color; this effect is normal and temporary, and will subside once you stop taking Robaxin. Since Robaxin may make you drowsy or dizzy, you should be careful if you have to do any activity that requires mental alertness, such as driving or operating machinery. Alcohol will increase that drowsy or dizzy effect, so it should be limited while you are taking Robaxin.

Other side effects that are unlikely but serious can include an irregular heartbeat—either faster or slower than usual, fainting, symptoms of jaundice such as yellowing of the eyes or skin, nausea or vomiting that does not resolve after a few days, stomach or abdominal pain, changes in your mood or thinking, lack of coordination, difficulty urinating, or signs of infection such as sore throat or fever. If you experience any of these, you should contact your doctor immediately. If you experience any signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, itching, swelling, severe dizziness or difficulty breathing, you should stop taking Robaxin and contact your doctor right away.

Before you use Robaxin, make sure your doctor knows about any medications you may be taking. This is especially important for drugs that cause dizziness or drowsiness, such as certain allergy medicines, anti-anxiety medications, anti-seizure drugs, sedatives and tranquilizers, psychiatric medications and narcotic pain relievers such as codeine. These medications can intensify the side effects of Robaxin and should be used very carefully.

If you are over the age of sixty-five, you should use caution in taking Robaxin, since side effects can be increased in this age group. Dizziness and drowsiness, especially, can be more severe and lead to falls or accidents. No studies have been done on the safety of Robaxin for pregnant women, so you should use extreme caution if you are pregnant and suffer a muscle injury requiring treatment with Robaxin. It is also not known whether Robaxin passes into breast milk, so be sure to discuss with your doctor whether you should be treated with Robaxin or discontinue nursing. Robaxin has not been tested for children under the age of sixteen, and is not recommended for use in those patients.