Methocarbamol Dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Muscle Spasm

Oral:
Initial dose: 1500 mg four times a day for the first 48 to 72 hours, up to a maximum dosage of 8 g/day for severe symptoms.
Maintenance dose: 4000 to 4500 mg/day in divided doses.

IV or IM:
1000 mg up to every 8 hours if necessary, not to exceed 3 g/day for more than 3 consecutive days except in the treatment of tetanus. A like course may be repeated after a lapse of 48 hours if the condition persists. Oral therapy should be instituted as soon as possible. For symptoms of moderate severity, oral doses may be adequate after one injection if patient can tolerate oral medications.

Usual Adult Dose for Tetanus

1 to 2 g directly into IV tubing, followed by an additional 1 to 2 g by IV infusion for a total dose of up to 3 g initially. This procedure may be repeated every 6 hours until nasogastric tube can be inserted. Then, crushed tablets suspended in water or saline solution can be given through the nasogastric tube. Total daily oral doses up to 24 g may be required.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Tetanus

Initial dose: 15 mg/kg/dose IV or 500 mg/m2/dose IV, may repeat every 6 hours if needed.

Maximum dose: 1.8 g/m2/day IV for 3 days only

Renal Dose Adjustments

Use of the injectable form of methocarbamol is not recommended in patients with renal insufficiency due to the high concentration of polyethylene glycol in the solution.

Liver Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Precautions

Caution is recommended if the injectable form of methocarbamol is administered to epileptic patients due to the potential for inducing seizures.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

The injectable preparation of methocarbamol is intended for IV or IM use only.

Injectable methocarbamol may be administered undiluted directly into the vein at a maximum rate of 3 mL (300 mg) per minute. It may also be added to an intravenous infusion of Sodium Chloride Injection or 5% Dextrose Injection. One vial given as a single dose should not be diluted to more than 250 mL for IV infusion. Care should be exercised to avoid vascular extravasation of the solution, which may result in thrombophlebitis. Patient should preferably be in a recumbent position during and for at least 10 to 15 minutes following the injection.

When given intramuscularly, not more than 5 mL should be injected into each gluteal region.

See also...