Methocarbamol, sold under the brand name Robaxin among others, is a medication used for short-term musculoskeletal pain.

Studies were directed towards the development of propanediol derivatives which possessed muscle relaxant properties superior to those of mephenesin, which had low potency and a short duration of action.

[10][11] Methocarbamol is available in a fixed-dose combination with ibuprofen as methocarbamol/ibuprofen (sold under the brand name (Summit Ultra).

[13] However, there is limited and inconsistent published research on the medication's efficacy and safety in treating musculoskeletal conditions, primarily neck and back pain.

[3] Currently, there is some suggestion that muscle relaxants may improve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis; however, there is insufficient data to prove its effectiveness or to answer concerns regarding optimal dosing, choice of muscle relaxant, adverse effects, and functional status.

[8] During clinical trials of methocarbamol, there were no laboratory measurements of liver damage indicators, such as serum transaminase (AST/ALT) levels, to confirm hepatotoxicity.

[17] Methocarbamol appeared to be less sedating than other muscle relaxants, most notably cyclobenzaprine but had a similarly increased risk of injury.

[16][17] Methocarbamol is cited along with "most muscle relaxants" in the 2012 Beers Criteria as being "poorly tolerated by older adults, because of anticholinergic adverse effects, sedation, increased risk of fractures," noting that "effectiveness dosages tolerated by older adults is questionable.

[5][6] Overdose is observed frequently in conjunction with CNS depressants such as alcohol or benzodiazepines and will have symptoms of nausea, drowsiness, blurred vision, hypotension, seizures, and coma.

[5][6] Unlike other carbamates such as meprobamate and its prodrug carisoprodol, methocarbamol has greatly reduced abuse potential.

[19] Studies comparing it to the benzodiazepine lorazepam and the antihistamine diphenhydramine, along with placebo, find that methocarbamol produces increased "liking" responses and some sedative-like effects; however, at higher doses dysphoria is reported.

[5][6] Methocarbamol was approved as a muscle relaxant for acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions in the United States in 1957.

[8] Muscle relaxants are widely used to treat low back pain, one of the most frequent health problems in industrialized countries.

[8] Methocarbamol and orphenadrine are each used in more than 250,000 U.S. emergency department visits for lower back pain each year.

[25] The most commonly prescribed drugs for low back pain included skeletal muscle relaxants.