Muscle spasms accompany a number of medical conditions including disorders of the spinal column and various poisonings. Drugs that relax contracted muscles can provide relief from pain and prevent harmful muscle tremors. Methocarbamol is a muscle relaxant. Exactly how methocarbamol leads to muscle relaxation is unclear but an action centered in the brain is suspected.
A secondary effect of methocarbamol is sedation. Uses of Methocarbamol: Methocarbamol is used to reduce muscle tremors that result from various diseases traumas or ingestion of toxins. It can be used in dogs to treat muscle spasms arising from intervertebral disk disease ("slipped disk"). The drug is quite effective in treating cats suffering from toxicity from the insecticide permethrin. Precautions and Side Effects: While generally safe and effective when prescribed by a veterinarian methocarbamol can cause side effects in some animals. Methocarbamol should not be used in animals with known hypersensitivity or allergy to the drug. Methocarbamol should be used with caution in animals with kidney impairment. Methocarbamol should be avoided in pregnant animals. Methocarbamol may interact with other medications. Consult with your veterinarian to determine if other drugs your pet is receiving could interact with methocarbamol. Such drugs include certain sedatives barbiturates and other muscle relaxants. Adverse effects associated with methocarbamol include drooling sedation vomiting and stumbling. Prescription items are NON-RETURNABLE and NON-REFUNDABLE. |