Methocarbamol 500mg (per tab) (Manufacturer may vary)

Methocarbamol is a potent skeletal muscle relaxant which has an unusually selective action on the central nervous system, specifically on the internuncial neurons of the spinal cord. This specific action results in a diminution of skeletal muscle hyperactivity without concomitant alteration in normal muscle tone. It is long-acting and essentially non-toxic, and has proved effective in a wide range of disorders involving acute muscle spasm.

Methocarbamol affords a marked protective action against the effects of strychnine in rats, cats and dogs. It prevents both convulsions and death when administered prior to strychnine in the rodent. In dogs and cats, it promptly controls the classical and severe symptoms of strychnine poisoning. Methocarbamol is more potent than mephenesin or mephenesin carbamate in blocking convulsions induced with pentylenetetrazol or electroshock.

Signs of central nervous system depression are produced by large doses of methocarbamol. Included are loss of righting reflex, prostration and ataxia. Also indicative of CNS depression is the finding that methocarbamol potentiates barbiturate hypnosis in mice.

Key Features

• Relaxes muscles and reduces muscle tremors caused from various diseases, traumas, or ingesting toxic substances
• Helps to treat muscle spasms caused from intervertebral disk disease ("slipped disk") in dogs
• Also treats permethrin poisoning in cats, which can occur when permethrin from dog flea medication is ingested.

How It Works

Methocarbamol is a muscle relaxant that acts on the central nervous system to relax the muscles.

Indications

Dogs and Cats, oral - METHOCARBAMOL is indicated as an adjunct to therapy of acute inflammatory and traumatic conditions of the skeletal muscle and to reduce muscular spasms. The efficacy of tablets in the treatment of acute skeletal muscle hyperactivity secondary to the following conditions has been demonstrated:

1. Intervertebral disc syndrome, compressive myelitis, spinal cord injury where cord remains intact.
2. Traumatism causing muscular and ligamentous sprains and strains.
3. Myositis, fibrositis, bursitis, synovitis.
4. Muscular spasm prior to or following surgical procedures.
5. Miscellaneous conditions: To maintain therapeutic benefits of the injectable relaxants in strychnine poisoning and tetanus.

Horses - As an adjunct to therapy of acute inflammatory and traumatic conditions of the skeletal muscle to reduce muscular spasms, and effect striated muscle relaxation. The efficacy in the treatment of acute skeletal muscle hyperactivity secondary to the following conditions has been demonstrated:

1. Trauma, muscular and ligamentous sprains and strains.
2. Myositis, fibrositis, bursitis and synovitis.
3. Tying up syndrome.
4. Muscular spasm prior to or following surgical procedures.
5. Maintenance of muscle relaxation in tetanus.

Methocarbamol can be used concurrently with adrenal corticosteroids and other medications usually employed in these cases without untoward effects.

Give Methocarbamol exactly as directed by your veterinarian. Do not give it in larger doses or give for longer than recommended by your veterinarian.

• Load dose - 1st day, 60 mg/lb
• Maintenance dose - 2nd day, 30 mg to 60 mg/lb.

Toxicity studies have shown methocarbamol to be well tolerated at doses of 400 mg/kg divided in two daily doses given 5 days a week for 26 weeks. The usual treatment during clinical trials did not exceed 14 to 21 days.

Cautions:

Give methocarbamol exactly as directed by your veterinarian. Do not give it in larger doses or give for longer than recommended by your veterinarian.

Contraindications:

Although rat studies have indicated no adverse effects on the pregnant female, fetus or neonate, methocarbamol should not be used during pregnancy unless in the judgment of the veterinarian the potential benefits outweigh the possible hazards.

Methocarbamol is contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to the ingredients.

Warning:

Not to be used in horses intended for food.

Possible Side Effects

Adverse reactions and serious side effects are rare, however, they can occur. In the case of a more serious reaction, seek immediate veterinary attention. Common signs of allergic reactions and serious side effects are facial swelling, breathing difficulties, hives, scratching, sudden onset of diarrhea, or seizures.