Robaxin vs. Valium

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

Robaxin (methocarbamol) and Valium (diazepam) are used to treat different skeletal muscle conditions.

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

Valium is also prescribed to treat anxiety, seizures, and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

Robaxin and Valium belong to different drug classes. Robaxin is a muscle relaxant and Valium is a benzodiazepine.

Side effects of Robaxin and Valium that are similar include nausea, constipation, memory problems, loss of balance or coordination, blurred or double vision, dizziness, spinning sensation, drowsiness, itching, or skin rash.

Side effects of Robaxin that are different from Valium include stomach upset, vomiting, flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling), headache, confusion, eye redness, lightheadedness, sleep problems (insomnia), or stuffy nose.

Side effects of Valium that are different from Robaxin include tired feeling, fatigue, memory problems, restlessness, irritability, muscle weakness, drooling, dry mouth, slurred speech, or loss of interest in sex.

Both Robaxin and Valium may interact with alcohol or 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.

Valium may also interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice.

Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you suddenly stop taking Valium.

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 Valium include:

• drowsiness,
• tired feeling,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• fatigue,
• constipation,
• ataxia (loss of balance),
• memory problems,
• restlessness,
• irritability,
• muscle weakness,
• nausea,
• drooling,
• dry mouth,
• slurred speech,
• blurred or double vision,
• skin rash,
• itching, or
• loss of interest in sex.

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

Valium is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety or tension associated with the stress of everyday life usually does not require treatment with an anxiolytic.

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.

Centrally Acting Agents

If Valium is to be combined with other centrally acting agents, careful consideration should be given to the pharmacology of the agents employed particularly with compounds that may potentiate or be potentiated by the action of Valium, such as phenothiazines, antipsychotics, anxiolytics/sedatives, hypnotics, anticonvulsants, narcotic analgesics, anesthetics, sedative antihistamines, narcotics, barbiturates, MAO inhibitors and other antidepressants.

Alcohol

Concomitant use with alcohol is not recommended due to enhancement of the sedative effect.

Antacids

Diazepam peak concentrations are 30% lower when antacids are administered concurrently. However, there is no effect on the extent of absorption. The lower peak concentrations appear due to a slower rate of absorption, with the time required to achieve peak concentrations on average 20 - 25 minutes greater in the presence of antacids. However, this difference was not statistically significant.

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.

Take Valium exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. Your healthcare provider will tell you how much Valium to take and when to take it.

Talk to your healthcare provider about slowly stopping Valium to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

If you take too much Valium, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.