Chlorzoxazone vs. Robaxin

Chlorzoxazone and Robaxin (methocarbamol) are skeletal muscle relaxants indicated as adjuncts to rest, physical therapy, and other measures for the relief of discomfort associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions and injuries.

Brand names for include chlorzoxazone include Lorzone and Parafon Forte DSC.

Common side effects of chlorzoxazone include:

• gastrointestinal bleeding
• drowsiness
• dizziness
• lightheadedness
• feeling unwell
• over-stimulation, and
• rarely, allergic-type skin rashes

Side effects of Robaxin in adults include:

• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• tired feeling,
• fatigue,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• upset stomach,
• diarrhea,
• headache,
• mental slowness,
• trouble concentrating,
• trouble sleeping,
• shaking,
• acne,
• skin rash,
• blurred or double vision,
• dry mouth,
• constipation, and
• problems with speech, balance, or walking.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Robaxin including:

• changes in vision,
• involuntary eye movements,
• difficulty speaking,
• difficulty concentrating,
• loss of coordination,
• trouble walking (abnormal gait),
• uncontrolled muscle movements (tremor),
• dulled sense of touch,
• easy bleeding or bruising,
• chest pain,
• persistent sore throat,
• stomach or abdominal pain,
• bloody stool,
• dark urine,
• change in amount of urine, or
• yellowing of eyes or skin.

Chlorzoxazone (chlorzoxazone tablet) is a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant indicated as an adjunct to rest, physical therapy, and other measures for the relief of discomfort associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions.

Robaxin (methocarbamol) is a muscle relaxant used together with rest and physical therapy to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain or injury.

Chlorzoxazone may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. During pregnancy, chlorzoxazone should be used only if prescribed; it is unknown if it would affect a fetus. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Robaxin may interact with pyridostigmine, donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine, or tacrine.

• The usual adult dosage of chlorzoxazone is one 500 mg tablet three or four times daily.

The recommended starting dose of Robaxin is six grams a day for the first 48 to 72 hours of treatment. Thereafter, the dosage can usually be reduced to approximately 4 grams a day. Robaxin may interact with pyridostigmine, donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine, or tacrine. Tell your doctor all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you use. Robaxin should be used during pregnancy only when prescribed. It is not known if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

For most patients, the recommended dose of Flexeril is 5 mg three times a day. Based on individual patient response, the dose may be increased to 10 mg three times a day. Use of Flexeril for periods longer than two or three weeks is not recommended.