Methocarbamol

Structural formula
	1: 1 mixture of ( R ) -form (left) and ( S ) -form (right)
General
Non-proprietary name	Methocarbamol
other names	( RS ) -2-hydroxy-3- (2-methoxyphenoxy) propyl carbamate ( IUPAC )
Molecular formula	C 11 H 15 NO 5
External identifiers / databases
EC number	208-524-3
ECHA InfoCard	100.007.751
PubChem	4107
ChemSpider	3964
DrugBank	DB00423
Wikidata	Q411456
Drug information
ATC code	M03 BA03
Drug class	centrally acting muscle relaxants
Mechanism of action	unknown
properties
Molar mass	241.24 g · mol -1
Physical state	firmly
safety instructions
	Please note the exemption from the labeling requirement for drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, food and animal feed
H and P phrases	H: 302-317-334
	P: 261-280-342 + 311
Toxicological data	1320 mg kg −1 ( LD 50 , rat , oral )
	As far as possible and customary, SI units are used. Unless otherwise noted, the data given apply to standard conditions .

Methocarbamol is a drug that is used as a spasmolytic for tension and spasms in the skeletal muscles . It belongs to the group of centrally acting muscle relaxants (myotonolytics).

The exact mechanism of action of the drug is still unclear. It should develop its muscle-relaxing effect by inhibiting the polysynaptic reflex conduction in the spinal cord and in subcortical centers.

However, there is no clear evidence for the analgesic effect from clinical studies. Methocarbamol is no more effective than placebo in combination with naproxen in the treatment of lower back pain associated with the NSAID naproxen , according to a study published in 2018 .

Methocarbamol is structurally related to guaifenesin .

Side effects

Rare side effects (<1/1000) include: headache, fever, fatigue, angioneurotic edema , dizziness, itching, skin rash, urticaria, conjunctivitis with swelling of the nasal mucous membrane. Very rarely (<1/10000) the following occurs: nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, drowsiness, tremors, restlessness, fear, confusion, anorexia. The spectrum of side effects shows in particular anticholinergic effects.

Trade names

Dolovisano, Ortoton (D), Robaxin

Web links

Commons : Methocarbamol - Collection of Images, Videos, and Audio Files

Ilona Kern: Methocarbamol: Good alternative to tetrazepam. In: deutsche-apotheker-zeitung.de. September 23, 2015, accessed October 21, 2018 .

Individual evidence

↑ ^a ^b ^c data sheet Guaiacol glyceryl ether carbamate from Sigma-Aldrich , accessed on May 25, 2017 ( PDF ).
↑ Andreas Russ: Medicines pocket . 13th edition. Börm Bruckmeier, Grünwald 2007, pp. 233–234.
↑ BW Friedman, D. Cisewski, E. Irizarry, M. Davitt, C. Solorzano, A. Nassery, S. Pearlman, D. White, EJ Gallagher: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of naproxen With or Without Orphenadrine or Methocarbamol for Acute Low Back Pain. In: Annals of emergency medicine. Volume 71, number 3, March 2018, pp. 348–356.e5, doi : 10.1016 / j.annemergmed.2017.09.031 , PMID 29089169 , PMC 5820149 (free full text).
↑ Methocarbamol oral , in: Active substance current , 2/2015.
↑ Torsten Kratz, Albert Diefenbacher: Psychopharmacotherapy in old age. Avoidance of drug interactions and polypharmacy. In: Deutsches Ärzteblatt. Volume 116, Issue 29 f. (July 22) 2019, pp. 508-517, p. 511.

[Sigma-1] ta sheet Guaiacol glyceryl ether carbamate from Sigma-Aldrich , accessed on May 25, 2017 ( PDF ).

[2] Andreas Russ: Medicines pocket . 13th edition. Börm Bruckmeier, Grünwald 2007, pp. 233–234.

[PMID29089169-3] BW Friedman, D. Cisewski, E. Irizarry, M. Davitt, C. Solorzano, A. Nassery, S. Pearlman, D. White, EJ Gallagher: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of naproxen With or Without Orphenadrine or Methocarbamol for Acute Low Back Pain. In: Annals of emergency medicine. Volume 71, number 3, March 2018, pp. 348–356.e5, doi : 10.1016 / j.annemergmed.2017.09.031 , PMID 29089169 , PMC 5820149 (free full text).

[4] Methocarbamol oral , in: Active substance current , 2/2015.

[5] Torsten Kratz, Albert Diefenbacher: Psychopharmacotherapy in old age. Avoidance of drug interactions and polypharmacy. In: Deutsches Ärzteblatt. Volume 116, Issue 29 f. (July 22) 2019, pp. 508-517, p. 511.