Many prescription drugs are open to misuse, particularly when individuals don’t understand the risks of taking too much. Painkiller addiction, for example, is on the rise, with the American Medical Association (AMA) reporting that “one-size-fits-all” opioid restriction policies are causing more harm than good, leading to people seeking dangerous alternatives to prescription medication. [1]

Methocarbamol, while sometimes used for pain relief, does not fall into the same category as opioids and doesn’t cause addiction in the same way. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t risks associated with the misuse of this powerful muscle relaxant. Understanding these risks and the potential outcomes can help you recognize if you or someone you love may be struggling with substance misuse.

What is Methocarbamol?

Methocarbamol, often sold under the medication brand name Robaxin, is a skeletal muscle relaxant derived from an expectorant called guaifenesin.[2] Guaifenesin works by relaxing various muscle groups in the throat and airways to help treat coughs and related symptoms. Methocarbamol has a similar action but is used for treating pain caused by musculoskeletal conditions or muscle spasms.

A medical professional may prescribe methocarbamol to be taken either orally or via intravenous or intramuscular injection. It’s often prescribed for back pain where other treatments have failed.[3]

How Methocarbamol Works

Despite its use as a muscle relaxant, methocarbamol doesn’t actually interact directly with muscles. Scientists aren’t sure exactly what causes the relaxation of muscles when someone takes the drug, but the general consensus is that a general sedative effect most likely causes it. Methocarbamol may also block nerve impulses to the brain, stopping the pain response in its tracks. [4]

Side Effects of Methocarbamol

The main side effect of methocarbamol is closely linked to its sedative effect: drowsiness. Users aged between 18 and 60 who aren’t taking other medications may feel sleepy or experience lightheadedness when they stand up.[5] They may also feel flushed or report lower blood pressure than usual.

Because of its ability to cause drowsiness, it’s recommended that users don’t drink alcohol while taking methocarbamol. The substances can interact, leading to more serious side effects. It’s also important not to drive or operate machinery.

Methocarbamol interacts with other drugs that can also have a sedative effect. These include but aren’t limited to opioids and opiates, antihistamines, and benzodiazepines.

More severe side effects include:[5]

• Swollen or tender feet and/or legs
• Mouth sores and ulcers
• Stomach pain
• Muscle pain
• Pain while urinating
• Rapid heart rate
• Darker stools or urine
•  Memory problems
•  Loss of consciousness

Any of these adverse effects should be immediately reported to a medical professional.

Is Methocarbamol Addictive?

With most addictive prescription drugs, addiction occurs because the body and brain become gradually used to the effects and crave a stronger dose or more frequent applications of the substance. Because methocarbamol doesn’t affect the body or brain in the same way as opioids, there’s less risk of physical addiction to the substance. Users shouldn’t need to constantly upgrade the volume of methocarbamol to get the same feeling. Also, there’s no euphoria or “high” to chase, as this drug has a primarily sedative effect.

However, that doesn’t prevent people from misusing methocarbamol.[6] Some people enjoy the sedative effects of this type of muscle relaxant and may take more than needed to gain a deeper level of sedation. They may also mix methocarbamol with other substances as a form of recreational experimentation. The habit-forming nature of methocarbamol use is largely psychological or connected to other, more addictive substances. So, even though methocarbamol itself has no withdrawal symptoms, users may associate its use with the cravings linked to alcohol or opioids.

Some people may become so used to the feelings provided by methocarbamol that they simply don’t want to live without it, even if a doctor recommends they switch to another drug or lower their dosage. Others may take more methocarbamol than recommended because other drugs, such as opioid-based painkillers, are restricted or not as effective as they used to be.

The Risks of Methocarbamol Misuse

Taking any type of prescription drug carries risks when users don’t follow the medical advice of their physician. As stated, there are serious side effects associated with methocarbamol use, and taking it more frequently or at higher doses could increase the risks of experiencing these side effects.

There hasn’t been much research into the effects of methocarbamol overdose, so there isn’t a set dosage that’s classed as acutely toxic. However, some of the symptoms associated with overdose include:[7]

• Nausea and vomiting
• Intense drowsiness
• Blurred vision
• High blood pressure
• Seizures
• Eventual coma and even death

Overdose cases typically occur when taking methocarbamol with alcohol or other substances, particularly other central nervous system depressants. [8]

Symptoms of Methocarbamol Addiction

Knowing that this muscle relaxant can lead to seizures, coma, and death may be alarming to those who use this substance regularly. [5] However, if you follow the instructions of your physician, there’s no reason why you should be at greater risk unless you regularly take your methocarbamol with other substances. If you need to do this — for example, if you take strong painkillers for another condition — discuss the possible ramifications with your doctor.

Recognizing the signs of methocarbamol addiction can be tricky, as the drug doesn’t cause cravings in the conventional sense. The following signs may indicate you’re starting to struggle with addiction:

• Your doctor has told you to stop taking the substance, but you don’t want to.
• You take more than recommended, even occasionally.
• You mix your methocarbamol with other substances against the recommendation of your physician.
• You take methocarbamol more often than you’re supposed to.
• You become excited about taking the drug or experiencing the feelings it produces.
• You become secretive about your methocarbamol use or lie about it to others.
• You start to seek out other substances that provide a similar effect.

This list is not exhaustive. Any change in behavior or character associated with your use of a prescription drug could indicate a pathway to addiction.

Treating Methocarbamol Abuse

The earlier you seek help for any drug abuse or misuse, the faster your pathway to recovery can be. Of course, it’s never too late to look for support. Holistic addiction treatment can help you understand what aspects of your life have led to substance misuse and support your mind, body, and psyche as you work toward recovery.

Addiction is rarely a standalone condition. Substance misuse can lead to many mental health difficulties, including anxiety and depression. An effective treatment program will normally assess and treat these conditions with therapies, including one-on-one and group sessions. Group sessions are impactful because they let you know you’re not alone. You’re empowered to talk about your experiences with others who may have been on a similar journey. This type of group work can help you forge new connections, which can bolster your recovery strategy.

One-on-one therapies empower medical professionals to create completely bespoke plans tailored to your needs. Talking therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are useful, as they help you to reframe your thoughts and feelings. Where trauma is an aspect of addiction, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy may be employed. This type of therapy can calm the parts of the brain associated with trauma recall, helping reduce the impact of these types of memories.

Methocarbamol dependence and misuse can also cause physical health problems. If you’ve experienced seizures, for example, you might need physical therapy to help recover from the effects of these. A truly holistic approach ensures you have the opportunity to keep active in a way that’s suitable for you and your mobility levels. You’ll also gain the chance to interact with creative pursuits, keeping the mind active while satisfying the psyche.

Tips for Taking Methocarbamol Safely

Taking a muscle relaxant safely means always following the advice of your healthcare provider. The primary risk of ignoring your doctor’s recommendations is that you’ll take too much or too little. You may end up in pain when you don’t need to be or, conversely, get used to the stronger sedative effect of the higher dose.

Ensure safe methocarbamol use with these tips:

• Take the exact dose as prescribed.
• Ensure you know the best time to take your drugs and if you should be taking them with food or not.
• If your pain levels aren’t managed, talk to your doctor rather than increasing your dose.
• Report any side effects to a medical professional immediately.

If you struggle to follow these tips or know someone who is having problems with potential prescription drug misuse, consider contacting a professional for compassionate yet objective support.

Getting Help with Substance Abuse

The most important thing to know about any type of prescription drug misuse concern is that you are not alone. Whether you are worried for yourself or someone else, there are support functions available to help you overcome addiction. At Engage Wellness Acton, Massachusetts, we provide day treatment services as well as intensive outpatient treatment programs, so you’ll always find the program that suits you and your needs. We also focus on relapse prevention and family therapy to ensure that you or your loved one has the long-term support they need to move away from substance reliance.

For more information, contact a member of our team and start your recovery journey today.

Frequently Asked Questions