Patient was educated on the side effects of using Methocarbamol as follows:
Central nervous system effects
- Methocarbamol use can result in episodes of headache, confusion, dizziness, and light-headedness, thus contributing to increased risk for falls and accidents. This risk with methocarbamol can be even high when it is taken in high doses or along with any other products and medications causing central nervous system (brain) depression, such as, alcohol, opioid pain medications, antidepressants, antianxiety medications, and sedatives. Watching closely for therapeutic response and gradually changing the dose, to help optimum control of your symptoms, can contribute to controlling/reducing the risk for drowsiness and dizziness due to the medication. Stay away from activities requiring alertness, such as, driving and operating heavy machinery, until you are used to the side effects caused by Methocarbamol.
- Methocarbamol use can also result in deprived sleep and vivid dreams.
- Methocarbamol use, especially in individuals with seizure history, can occasionally result in deterioration of seizure control and episodes of seizures.
Respiratory depression
- Methocarbamol, especially when taken in high doses, can lead to depression of respiratory center in the brain and consequently cause exacerbation of SOB, and difficult breathing.
- This risk with methocarbamol can be even high when it is taken along with any other products and medications causing central nervous depression, such as, alcohol, antidepressants, antianxiety medications, opioid pain killers, and sedatives.
- Individuals with history of breathing disorders, such as, asthma, emphysema, and COPD, are at increased risk for presentation with severe debility due to respiratory arrest from methocarbamol intake.
Muscle weakness
- Methocarbamol use can result in muscle relaxation and also can lead to intense muscle weakness.
- Patients can also present with motor incoordination leading to shaking or jerking of one or other extremities.
