Robaxin vs. Skelaxin

• Are Skelaxin and Robaxin the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Robaxin?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Skelaxin?
• What Is Robaxin?
• What Is Skelaxin?
• What Drugs Interact with Robaxin?
• What Drugs Interact with Skelaxin?
• How Should Robaxin Be Taken?
• How Should Skelaxin Be Taken?

Robaxin (methocarbamol) and Skelaxin (metaxalone) are muscle relaxants used in slightly different ways.

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

Skelaxin is prescribed for the short-term treatment of painful muscle spasms.

Side effects of Robaxin and Skelaxin that are similar include stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, headache, drowsiness, dizziness, or skin rash.

Side effects of Robaxin that are different from Skelaxin include flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling), constipation, confusion, memory problems, loss of balance or coordination, blurred vision, double vision, eye redness, lightheadedness, spinning sensation, sleep problems (insomnia), stuffy nose, or itching.

Side effects of Skelaxin that are different from Robaxin include nervousness or irritability.

Both Robaxin and Skelaxin may interact with alcohol and other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing (sleeping pills, narcotics, prescription cough medicines, muscle relaxers, or medicines for anxiety, depression, or seizures).

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

Common side effects of Robaxin include:

• stomach upset,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling),
• constipation,
• headache,
• confusion,
• memory problems,
• loss of balance or coordination,
• blurred vision,
• double vision,
• eye redness,
• lightheadedness,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• drowsiness,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• stuffy nose,
• itching, or
• rash, especially during the first few days as your body adjusts to this medication.

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

• fever,
• chills,
• flu symptoms,
• slow heart rate,
• feeling like you might pass out,
• seizures (convulsions), or
• jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).

Common side effects of Skelaxin include:

• drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• headache,
• nervousness,
• irritability,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• upset stomach, or
• skin rash.

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Skelaxin including stomach pain, loss of appetite, low fever, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

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

Skelaxin (metaxalone) is a skeletal muscle relaxant prescribed for the short-term treatment of painful muscle spasms. Skelaxin is available as a generic drug.

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.

Significant drug interactions have not been reported with Skelaxin although it may increase the sedative effects of alcohol and drugs that cause sedation.

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.

Skelaxin's usual dose is 800 mg taken three or four times daily.