The Facts Of Robaxin

BRAND NAME: Robaxin GENERIC DRUG NAME: Methocarbamol

INDICATIONS AND USAGE:

Robaxin (Methocarbamol) is 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. Robaxin does not directly relax tense skeletal muscles in man.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Robaxin is contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to methocarbamol or to any of the tablet components.

WARNINGS:

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

Safe use of Robaxin has not been established with regard to possible adverse effects upon fetal development. There have been reports of fetal and congenital abnormalities following in utero exposure to methocarbamol. Therefore, Robaxin should not be used in women who are or may become pregnant and particularly during early pregnancy unless in the judgment of the physician the potential benefits outweigh the possible hazards.

Robaxin may impair mental and/or physical abilities required for performance of hazardous tasks, such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle.

PRECAUTIONS:

Patients should be cautioned that Robaxin may cause drowsiness or dizziness, which may impair their ability to operate motor vehicles or machinery. Because Robaxin may possess a general CNS-depressant effect, patients should be cautioned about combined effects with alcohol and other CNS depressants.

ADVERSE REACTIONS:

Adverse reactions reported coincident with the administration of methocarbamol include:

Body as a whole: Anaphylactic reaction, angioneurotic edema, fever, headacheCardiovascular system: Bradycardia, flushing, hypotension, syncope, thrombophlebitisDigestive system: Dyspepsia, jaundice (including cholestatic jaundice), nausea and vomitingHemic and lymphatic system: LeukopeniaImmune system: Hypersensitivity reactionsNervous system: Amnesia, confusion, Diplopia, dizziness or lightheadedness, drowsiness, insomnia, mild muscular incoordination, nystagmus, sedation, seizures (including grand mal), vertigoSkin and special senses: Blurred vision, conjunctivitis, nasal congestion, metallic taste, pruritus, rash, urticaria

DRUG INTERACTIONS:

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

DRUG / LABORATORY TEST INTERACTIONS:

Methocarbamol may cause a color interference in certain screening tests for 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid.

CARCINOGENESIS, MUTAGENESIS, IMPAIRMENT OF FERTILITY:

Long-term studies to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of Robaxin have not been performed. No studies have been conducted to assess the effect of Robaxin on mutagenesis or its potential to impair fertility.

PREGNANCY:

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with methocarbamol. It is also not known whether methocarbamol can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Robaxin should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Safe use of Robaxin has not been established with regard to possible adverse effects upon fetal development. There have been reports of fetal and congenital abnormalities following in utero exposure to methocarbamol. Therefore, Robaxin should not be used in women who are or may become pregnant and particularly during early pregnancy unless in the judgment of the physician the potential benefits outweigh the possible hazards.

NURSING MOTHERS:

Methocarbamol and/or its metabolites are excreted in the milk of dogs; however, it is not known whether methocarbamol or its metabolites are excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Robaxin is administered to a nursing woman.

PEDIATRIC USE:

Safety and effectiveness of Robaxin in pediatric patients below the age of 16 have not been established.

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:

nauseadrowsinessblurred visionhypotensionseizurescoma

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. Management of overdose includes symptomatic and supportive treatment.

Store Robaxin at controlled room temperature, between 20°C and 25°C (68°F and 77°F).

Robaxin (Methocarbamol)Muscle Relaxers (Muscle Relaxants)When Are Muscle Relaxers Prescribed For Arthritis Patients?Muscle Pain

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, NDA 11-011/S-070/071

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Facts Of Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids or glucocorticoids, often just called "steroids", where once thought to be almost miraculous. In 1948, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota a group of arthritis patients were given daily injections of a corticosteroid. The results were so striking and the improvement so dramatic that it was thought that the "cure" for arthritis had been discovered. However, as the use of corticosteroids expanded over the years, side effects emerged and it was realized that high doses given over prolonged periods of time turned steroids into "scare-oids". Patients were warned of the potential problems, the use of corticosteroids became more conservative, and some patients were so frightened of them they even declined treatment.

Corticosteroids are powerful drugs that can have valuable effect if administered within proper guidelines. Understanding how they work and how they can be safely taken is very important.

Corticosteroids are drugs closely related to cortisol, a hormone which is naturally produced in the adrenal cortex (the outer layer of the adrenal gland).

Corticosteroid Drugs Include:

Cortisol plays an important part in controlling salt and water balance in the body, and regulating carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. When the body becomes stressed, the pituitary gland at the base of the brain releases ACTH, adrenocorticotropic hormone, which stimulates adrenals to produce cortisol. The extra cortisol allows the body to cope with the stress such as infection, trauma, surgery, or emotional problems. When the stressful situation ends, adrenal hormone production returns to normal.

The adrenal glands usually produce about 20 milligrams of cortisol per day, mostly in the morning, but can produce five times that much when needed.

Corticosteroids act on the immune system by blocking the production of substances that trigger allergic and inflammatory actions, such as prostaglandins. However, they also impede the function of white blood cells which destroy foreign bodies and help keep the immune system functioning properly. The interference with white blood cell function yields a side effect of increased susceptibility to infection.

Corticosteroids are widely used for many conditions. They are also used to control inflammation of the joints and organs in diseases such as:

Corticosteroids are not used systemically for osteoarthritis, though they are sometimes used as a local injection into an affected joint.

Corticosteroids are versatile in their mode of application. They can be given:

orallyinjected into the vein or muscleapplied locally to the skininjected directly into inflamed joints

Corticosteroid drugs can also be used as ingredients contained in:

eye products (to treat various eye conditions)inhalers (to treat asthma or bronchial disease)nasal drops and sprays (to treat various nasal problems)topical creams, ointments, etc. (to treat various skin problems)

Corticosteroids can be used in conjunction with other drugs, and are prescribed for short-term and long-term use.

Prednisone (brand names include: Cortan, Deltasone, Liquid Pred, Meticorten, Orasone, Panasol-S, Prednicen-M and Sterapred) is the most commonly prescribed synthetic corticosteroid for arthritis. Prednisone is four to five times as potent as cortisol. Therefore, five milligrams of prednisone is the equivalent of the body's daily output of cortisol. There are other synthetic corticosteroids available which differ in potency and half-life.

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