IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a summary and does not contain all possible information about this product. For complete information about this product or your specific health needs, ask your health care professional. Always seek the advice of your health care professional if you have any questions about this product or your medical condition. This information is not intended as individual medical advice and does not substitute for the knowledge and judgment of your health care professional. This information does not contain any assurances that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you.
METHOCARBAMOL/ASPIRIN - ORAL
(meth-oh-KARB-uh-mole/ASP-er-in)
USES: This combination medication is used to treat pain caused by or occurring with muscle spasm. Methocarbamol helps to relax the muscles. Aspirin helps to decrease the pain.
HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually 4 times daily or as directed by your doctor. Take with a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) unless your doctor directs you otherwise. Do not lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking this medication. If stomach upset occurs while taking this medication, take it with food, milk, or an antacid.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Pain medications work best if they are used as the first signs of pain occur. If you wait until the symptoms have worsened, the medication may not work as well.
Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.
SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, heartburn, diarrhea, lightheadedness, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
To lower your risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: hearing problems (e.g., ringing in the ears, hearing loss).
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: dark urine, change in the amount of urine, yellowing eyes/skin, persistent nausea/vomiting, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), fast/pounding heartbeat, persistent tiredness, easy bruising/bleeding.
This drug may infrequently cause serious (rarely fatal) bleeding from the stomach or intestines. If you notice any of the following unlikely but very serious side effects, stop taking this medication and consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately: black stool, persistent stomach/abdominal pain, vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects. The following numbers do not provide medical advice, but in the US you may report side effects to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you may call Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
PRECAUTIONS: Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to methocarbamol or aspirin; or to salicylates (e.g., salsalate) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., ibuprofen); or if you have any other allergies.
This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: aspirin-sensitive asthma (a history of worsening breathing with runny/stuffy nose after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs), stomach/intestinal ulcers, bleeding/blood clotting disorders (e.g., hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, thrombocytopenia).
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, certain enzyme deficiencies (pyruvate kinase or G6PD deficiency), heartburn, gout, asthma, growths in the nose (nasal polyps).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication.
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Use caution while driving, using machinery, or taking part in any other activity that requires alertness. Avoid alcoholic beverages because they may increase the risk of this drug's side effects.
This medicine may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use of alcohol and tobacco, especially when combined with this medicine, may increase your risk for stomach bleeding. Limit alcohol and stop smoking. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
This medication contains aspirin. Children and teenagers should not take aspirin if they have chickenpox, flu, or any undiagnosed illness, or if they have just been given a live virus vaccine, without first consulting a doctor about Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious illness.
Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug.
During the first 6 months of pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It is not recommended for use during the last 3 months of pregnancy due to possible harm to the unborn baby and interference with normal labor/delivery. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
This drug passes into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Therefore, breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.
This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: ketorolac, mifepristone.
If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting this medication.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril, enalapril), acetazolamide, antacids, anti-seizure medications (e.g., phenytoin, valproic acid), "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin, heparin, ticlopidine), certain diabetes drugs (sulfonylureas such as glyburide), certain drugs used to treat gout (uricosuric drugs such as probenecid, sulfinpyrazone), corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone), ginkgo biloba, lepirudin, methotrexate, pemetrexed, salicylates (e.g., salsalate), spironolactone, SSRI antidepressants (e.g., fluoxetine, fluvoxamine).
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), other muscle relaxants, psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine, risperidone, trazodone).
Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, pain relievers/fever reducers) because they may contain aspirin and/or aspirin-related drugs (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen) or ingredients that may cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.
This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including urine 5-HIAA/VMA tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe drowsiness/dizziness, persistent nausea/vomiting, ringing in the ears.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.
This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another condition unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in that case.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Information last revised July 2008 Copyright(c) 2008 First DataBank, Inc.