- Approval Id
- 040db1025890e789
- Drug Approval Emc Name
- Methocarbamol 1500 mg film-coated tablets
- Drug Name
- Methocarbamol 1500 mg film-coated tablets
- Company Name
- Neuraxpharm UK Ltd
- Company Address
- Neuraxpharm UK Ltd, Suite 2, Arlington Flex, Third Floor, Building 1420, Arlington Business Park, Theale, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 4SA, UK
- Company Telephone
- 0118 211 4039
- Company Medical Info Email
- medinfo-uk@neuraxpharm.com
- Atc Code
- M03BA03
- Legal Category
- Prescription only medicine
- Authorisation Holder
- Neuraxpharm UK Limited
Suite 2, Arlington Flex, Third Floor,
Building 1420, Arlington Business Park,
Theale, Reading,
Berkshire RG7 4SA
United Kingdom
- Authorisation Number
- PL 49718/0056
- Authorisation Date
- 02/03/2021
- Instruction Authorisation Holder
- Neuraxpharm UK Limited
Suite 2, Arlington Flex, Third Floor,
Building 1420, Arlington Business Park,
Theale, Reading,
Berkshire RG7 4SA
United Kingdom
- Instruction Authorisation Number
- PL 49718/0056
- Instruction Authorisation Date
- 02/03/2021
- Instruction Composition
- Each film-coated tablet contains 1500 mg methocarbamol.
\*\*Excipients with known effect\*\*
Each film-coated tablet contains 47.10 mg lactose (as monohydrate).
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
- Instruction Dosage Form
- Film-coated tablet
White, oblong biconvex film-coated tablets with a score line on one side.
Size: 23 mm ± 1.15mm x 10 mm ± 0.5 mm.
The score line is only to facilitate breaking for ease of swallowing and not to divide into equal doses.
- Instruction Clinical Particulars
- 4.1 Therapeutic indications
Symptomatic treatment of painful muscular tension, especially in the lower back (lumbago).
Methocarbamol is indicated in adults.4.2 Posology and method of administration
\*Posology\*
\*Adults\*
The recommended dose for adults is 1500 mg methocarbamol 3 times a day.
At the beginning of the treatment a dose of 1500 mg methocarbamol 4 times a day is recommended.
In severe cases up to 7500 mg methocarbamol can be taken each day.
The duration of treatment depends on the symptoms of muscle tension but should not exceed 30 days.
\*Paediatric population\*
The safety and efficacy of Methocarbamol in children and adolescents have not been established.
\*Elderly patients\*
Half the maximum dose or less may be sufficient to produce a therapeutic response.
\*Patients with hepatic impairment\*
In patients with chronic hepatic disease the elimination half-life may be prolonged. Therefore, consideration should be given to increasing the dose interval.
\*\*Method of administration\*\*
Methocarbamol is for oral use.
The film-coated tablets should be taken with sufficient water.4.3 Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to the active substance, or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
- Comatose or pre-comatose states
- Disorders of the central nervous system (CNS)
- Myasthenia gravis
- Epilepsy4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Methocarbamol should be used with caution in patients with impaired renal and/or hepatic function.
\*Methocarbamol tablets contain lactose\*
Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.
\*Methocarbamol tablets contain sodium\*
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.
\*Interference with laboratory tests\*
Methocarbamol may cause colour interference in screening tests for hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA).4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
The concomitant administration of methocarbamol and centrally acting medicinal products such as barbiturates, opioids and appetite suppressants may potentiate the effect of these products.
Using methocarbamol together with alcohol may potentiate the effect of the medicinal product.
The effect of anticholinergics, such as atropine and other psychotropic medicinal products, may be increased by methocarbamol.
Consumption of alcohol during methocarbamol treatment may lead to an increased effect.
Methocarbamol may inhibit the effect of pyridostigmine bromide. Therefore, methocarbamol must not be taken by patients with myasthenia gravis, especially those who are being treated with pyridostigmine.4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
\*\*Pregnancy\*\*
There is no experience in the use of methocarbamol during pregnancy. Data from animal studies concerning effects on pregnancy, embryonic/foetal development, parturition and post- natal development are not available (see section 5.3). The potential risk to humans is not known. Methocarbamol should therefore not be used during pregnancy.
\*\*Breast-feeding\*\*
It is not known whether methocarbamol and/or its metabolites pass into human breast milk. Methocarbamol and/or its metabolites are excreted into the milk of lactating dogs. Therefore, methocarbamol should not be used during breast-feeding.
\*\*Fertility\*\*
No data are available concerning methocarbamol on human fertility.4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Methocarbamol has moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines as it may cause dizziness or drowsiness – especially if other medicinal products capable of causing drowsiness are also being taken.
Patients should be instructed that if dizziness or drowsiness occurs, these activities should be avoided.4.8 Undesirable effects
The following undesirable effects were reported in connection with the use of methocarbamol.
Frequency data for adverse reactions are based on the following categories (where it has been possible to obtain frequency data from the literature):
| | |
| --- | --- |
| Very common | ≥ 1/10 |
| Common | ≥ 1/100 to < 1/10 |
| Uncommon | ≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100 |
| Rare | ≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000 |
| Very rare | < 1/10,000 |
| Not known | the frequency cannot be estimated from the available data |
The following adverse reactions have been reported with the use of methocarbamol:
| | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| \*\*System organ class\*\* | \*\*Frequency according to MedDRA convention\*\* | | |
| \*\*Rare\*\* | \*\*Very rare\*\* | \*\*Not known\*\* |
| Infections and infestations | Conjunctivitis | | |
| Immune system disorders | | Anaphylactic reaction | |
| Metabolism and nutrition disorders | | Decreased appetite | |
| Psychiatric disorders | | Restlessness, anxiety, confusional state | |
| Nervous system disorders | Headache, dizziness, metallic taste | Syncope, nystagmus, giddiness, tremor, seizure | Somnolence, coordination disturbance |
| Eye disorders | | Visual impairment, diplopia | |
| Cardiac disorders | | Bradycardia | |
| Vascular disorders | Hypotension | Hot flush | |
| Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | Nasal congestion | | |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | | nausea, vomiting | |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | Angioedema, rash, pruritus, urticaria | | |
| General disorders and administration site conditions | Pyrexia | | |
\*\*Reporting of suspected adverse reactions\*\*
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.4.9 Overdose
Limited information is available on the acute toxicity of methocarbamol. Overdose of methocarbamol is frequently in conjunction with alcohol or other CNS depressants and includes the following symptoms: nausea, drowsiness, blurred vision, hypotension, seizures and coma.
After oral intake of 22.5 to 50 g methocarbamol with suicidal intent, two patients experienced drowsiness, but recovered completely within 24 hours.
In the literature, 3 fatal cases have been reported after methocarbamol was ingested with large quantities of alcohol (2 cases) or opiates (1 case) with suicidal intent.
Management of overdose includes gastric lavage symptomatic therapy and monitoring of vital functions. The usefulness of haemodialysis in managing overdose has not been established.
- Instruction Pharmacology
- 5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: muscle relaxants, centrally acting agents, carbamic acid esters
ATC code: M03BA03
\*\*Mechanism of action\*\*
Methocarbamol is a centrally acting muscle relaxant.
\*\*Pharmacodynamic effects\*\*
It exerts its myorelaxant effect by inhibiting the polysynaptic reflexes in the spinal cord and subcortical centres.
\*\*Clinical efficacy and safety\*\*
The physiological tonus and contractility of the skeletal muscles and the motility of the smooth muscles are not impaired by methocarbamol at therapeutic doses and there is no effect on the motor endplate.5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
\*\*Absorption\*\*
After oral administration, methocarbamol will be absorbed quickly and completely. The active substance is already detectable in the blood 10 minutes after ingestion and the peak blood concentration is reached after 30 - 60 minutes.
\*\*Distribution\*\*
The plasma half-life of methocarbamol is approximately 2 hours.
\*\*Biotransformation and elimination\*\*
Methocarbamol and its two main metabolites bind to glucuronic and sulphuric acid and are almost exclusively excreted via the kidneys. Approximately half of the administered dose is excreted through the urine within 4 hours, with only a small part being in the form of unchanged methocarbamol.
\*\*Renally impaired\*\*
The clearance of methocarbamol in renally-impaired patients on maintenance haemodialysis was reduced about 40% compared to a normal population, although the mean elimination half-life in these two groups was similar (1.2 versus 1.1 hours, respectively).
\*\*Hepatically impaired\*\*
In patients with cirrhosis secondary to alcohol abuse, the mean total clearance of methocarbamol was reduced approximately 70% compared to a normal population (11.9 L/hr), and the mean elimination half-life was extended to approximately 3.4 hours. The fraction of methocarbamol bound to plasma proteins was decreased to approximately 40 to 45% compared to 46 to 50% in an age and weight- matched normal population.5.3 Preclinical safety data
The acute toxicity of methocarbamol is comparatively low. Signs of intoxication in animal studies include ataxia, catalepsy, convulsions and coma.
Studies on chronic toxicity and on reproductive toxicity have not been performed.
In vitro and in vivo genetic toxicology studies with methocarbamol did not provide evidence of a mutagenic potential.
Long-term studies to investigate the carcinogenic potential have not been conducted.
- Instruction Pharmaceutical Particulars
- 6.1 List of excipients
\*\*Tablet core:\*\*
Lactose monohydrate,
Sodium croscarmellose,
Sodium laurilsulfate,
Povidone,
Anhydrous colloidal silica,
Magnesium stearate.
\*\*Film-coating:\*\*
Poly(vinylalcohol),
Titanium dioxide (E171),
Talc,
Macrogol 3350,6.2 Incompatibilities
Not applicable.6.3 Shelf life
PVC/aluminium blister packs:
3 years
ACLAR/aluminium blister packs:
3 years6.4 Special precautions for storage
PVC/aluminium blister packs:
The blister packs should not be stored above 30°C.
ACLAR/aluminium blister packs:
No special storage conditions are required for this medicinal product.6.5 Nature and contents of container
PVC/aluminium blister packs containing 100 or 100 (2 packs of 50) film-coated tablets.
ACLAR/aluminium blister packs containing 100 or 100 (2 packs of 50) film-coated tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling
Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
- Instruction Content
- ## Composition
Each film-coated tablet contains 1500 mg methocarbamol.
\*\*Excipients with known effect\*\*
Each film-coated tablet contains 47.10 mg lactose (as monohydrate).
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
## Pharmaceutical Form
Film-coated tablet
White, oblong biconvex film-coated tablets with a score line on one side.
Size: 23 mm ± 1.15mm x 10 mm ± 0.5 mm.
The score line is only to facilitate breaking for ease of swallowing and not to divide into equal doses.
## Clinical Particulars
4.1 Therapeutic indications
Symptomatic treatment of painful muscular tension, especially in the lower back (lumbago).
Methocarbamol is indicated in adults.4.2 Posology and method of administration
\*Posology\*
\*Adults\*
The recommended dose for adults is 1500 mg methocarbamol 3 times a day.
At the beginning of the treatment a dose of 1500 mg methocarbamol 4 times a day is recommended.
In severe cases up to 7500 mg methocarbamol can be taken each day.
The duration of treatment depends on the symptoms of muscle tension but should not exceed 30 days.
\*Paediatric population\*
The safety and efficacy of Methocarbamol in children and adolescents have not been established.
\*Elderly patients\*
Half the maximum dose or less may be sufficient to produce a therapeutic response.
\*Patients with hepatic impairment\*
In patients with chronic hepatic disease the elimination half-life may be prolonged. Therefore, consideration should be given to increasing the dose interval.
\*\*Method of administration\*\*
Methocarbamol is for oral use.
The film-coated tablets should be taken with sufficient water.4.3 Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to the active substance, or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
- Comatose or pre-comatose states
- Disorders of the central nervous system (CNS)
- Myasthenia gravis
- Epilepsy4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Methocarbamol should be used with caution in patients with impaired renal and/or hepatic function.
\*Methocarbamol tablets contain lactose\*
Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.
\*Methocarbamol tablets contain sodium\*
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.
\*Interference with laboratory tests\*
Methocarbamol may cause colour interference in screening tests for hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA).4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
The concomitant administration of methocarbamol and centrally acting medicinal products such as barbiturates, opioids and appetite suppressants may potentiate the effect of these products.
Using methocarbamol together with alcohol may potentiate the effect of the medicinal product.
The effect of anticholinergics, such as atropine and other psychotropic medicinal products, may be increased by methocarbamol.
Consumption of alcohol during methocarbamol treatment may lead to an increased effect.
Methocarbamol may inhibit the effect of pyridostigmine bromide. Therefore, methocarbamol must not be taken by patients with myasthenia gravis, especially those who are being treated with pyridostigmine.4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
\*\*Pregnancy\*\*
There is no experience in the use of methocarbamol during pregnancy. Data from animal studies concerning effects on pregnancy, embryonic/foetal development, parturition and post- natal development are not available (see section 5.3). The potential risk to humans is not known. Methocarbamol should therefore not be used during pregnancy.
\*\*Breast-feeding\*\*
It is not known whether methocarbamol and/or its metabolites pass into human breast milk. Methocarbamol and/or its metabolites are excreted into the milk of lactating dogs. Therefore, methocarbamol should not be used during breast-feeding.
\*\*Fertility\*\*
No data are available concerning methocarbamol on human fertility.4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Methocarbamol has moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines as it may cause dizziness or drowsiness – especially if other medicinal products capable of causing drowsiness are also being taken.
Patients should be instructed that if dizziness or drowsiness occurs, these activities should be avoided.4.8 Undesirable effects
The following undesirable effects were reported in connection with the use of methocarbamol.
Frequency data for adverse reactions are based on the following categories (where it has been possible to obtain frequency data from the literature):
| | |
| --- | --- |
| Very common | ≥ 1/10 |
| Common | ≥ 1/100 to < 1/10 |
| Uncommon | ≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100 |
| Rare | ≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000 |
| Very rare | < 1/10,000 |
| Not known | the frequency cannot be estimated from the available data |
The following adverse reactions have been reported with the use of methocarbamol:
| | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| \*\*System organ class\*\* | \*\*Frequency according to MedDRA convention\*\* | | |
| \*\*Rare\*\* | \*\*Very rare\*\* | \*\*Not known\*\* |
| Infections and infestations | Conjunctivitis | | |
| Immune system disorders | | Anaphylactic reaction | |
| Metabolism and nutrition disorders | | Decreased appetite | |
| Psychiatric disorders | | Restlessness, anxiety, confusional state | |
| Nervous system disorders | Headache, dizziness, metallic taste | Syncope, nystagmus, giddiness, tremor, seizure | Somnolence, coordination disturbance |
| Eye disorders | | Visual impairment, diplopia | |
| Cardiac disorders | | Bradycardia | |
| Vascular disorders | Hypotension | Hot flush | |
| Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | Nasal congestion | | |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | | nausea, vomiting | |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | Angioedema, rash, pruritus, urticaria | | |
| General disorders and administration site conditions | Pyrexia | | |
\*\*Reporting of suspected adverse reactions\*\*
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.4.9 Overdose
Limited information is available on the acute toxicity of methocarbamol. Overdose of methocarbamol is frequently in conjunction with alcohol or other CNS depressants and includes the following symptoms: nausea, drowsiness, blurred vision, hypotension, seizures and coma.
After oral intake of 22.5 to 50 g methocarbamol with suicidal intent, two patients experienced drowsiness, but recovered completely within 24 hours.
In the literature, 3 fatal cases have been reported after methocarbamol was ingested with large quantities of alcohol (2 cases) or opiates (1 case) with suicidal intent.
Management of overdose includes gastric lavage symptomatic therapy and monitoring of vital functions. The usefulness of haemodialysis in managing overdose has not been established.
## Pharmacological Properties
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: muscle relaxants, centrally acting agents, carbamic acid esters
ATC code: M03BA03
\*\*Mechanism of action\*\*
Methocarbamol is a centrally acting muscle relaxant.
\*\*Pharmacodynamic effects\*\*
It exerts its myorelaxant effect by inhibiting the polysynaptic reflexes in the spinal cord and subcortical centres.
\*\*Clinical efficacy and safety\*\*
The physiological tonus and contractility of the skeletal muscles and the motility of the smooth muscles are not impaired by methocarbamol at therapeutic doses and there is no effect on the motor endplate.5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
\*\*Absorption\*\*
After oral administration, methocarbamol will be absorbed quickly and completely. The active substance is already detectable in the blood 10 minutes after ingestion and the peak blood concentration is reached after 30 - 60 minutes.
\*\*Distribution\*\*
The plasma half-life of methocarbamol is approximately 2 hours.
\*\*Biotransformation and elimination\*\*
Methocarbamol and its two main metabolites bind to glucuronic and sulphuric acid and are almost exclusively excreted via the kidneys. Approximately half of the administered dose is excreted through the urine within 4 hours, with only a small part being in the form of unchanged methocarbamol.
\*\*Renally impaired\*\*
The clearance of methocarbamol in renally-impaired patients on maintenance haemodialysis was reduced about 40% compared to a normal population, although the mean elimination half-life in these two groups was similar (1.2 versus 1.1 hours, respectively).
\*\*Hepatically impaired\*\*
In patients with cirrhosis secondary to alcohol abuse, the mean total clearance of methocarbamol was reduced approximately 70% compared to a normal population (11.9 L/hr), and the mean elimination half-life was extended to approximately 3.4 hours. The fraction of methocarbamol bound to plasma proteins was decreased to approximately 40 to 45% compared to 46 to 50% in an age and weight- matched normal population.5.3 Preclinical safety data
The acute toxicity of methocarbamol is comparatively low. Signs of intoxication in animal studies include ataxia, catalepsy, convulsions and coma.
Studies on chronic toxicity and on reproductive toxicity have not been performed.
In vitro and in vivo genetic toxicology studies with methocarbamol did not provide evidence of a mutagenic potential.
Long-term studies to investigate the carcinogenic potential have not been conducted.
## Pharmaceutical Particulars
6.1 List of excipients
\*\*Tablet core:\*\*
Lactose monohydrate,
Sodium croscarmellose,
Sodium laurilsulfate,
Povidone,
Anhydrous colloidal silica,
Magnesium stearate.
\*\*Film-coating:\*\*
Poly(vinylalcohol),
Titanium dioxide (E171),
Talc,
Macrogol 3350,6.2 Incompatibilities
Not applicable.6.3 Shelf life
PVC/aluminium blister packs:
3 years
ACLAR/aluminium blister packs:
3 years6.4 Special precautions for storage
PVC/aluminium blister packs:
The blister packs should not be stored above 30°C.
ACLAR/aluminium blister packs:
No special storage conditions are required for this medicinal product.6.5 Nature and contents of container
PVC/aluminium blister packs containing 100 or 100 (2 packs of 50) film-coated tablets.
ACLAR/aluminium blister packs containing 100 or 100 (2 packs of 50) film-coated tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling
Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
