Taking Robaxin During Pregnancy: What You Need to Know
Is Robaxin Safe to Take While Pregnant?
Is Robaxin safe to take while pregnant? Like so many other medications, both prescription and OTC, Robaxin may be okay to take when pregnant, but the risks can’t be completely ruled out. Robaxin is a brand-name drug, and the generic name is methocarbamol. Methocarbamol is prescribed to treat pain and stiff muscles related to sprains or injury. It’s classified as a centrally-acting skeletal muscle relaxant. Robaxin is well-suited to helping relieve pain and discomfort from short-term conditions related to the muscles or bones. It’s not a treatment for the underlying injury, however. Robaxin does affect the central nervous system of the user. When someone is prescribed Robaxin, they’re warned not to mix it with other substances or medications that affect the CNS. The use of another CNS depressant with Robaxin can heighten symptoms like dizziness, drowsiness and concentration problems.
Robaxin’s active ingredient, methocarbamol, is a category C pregnancy drug. The FDA has several categories into which medications are classified. These categories are based on how much research is currently available regarding safety during pregnancy. The research may include animal studies as well as observational studies done on human pregnant women. There aren’t often many well-controlled human studies that assess the safety of drugs during pregnancy, because these are considered dangerous and in many cases, unethical. This is why so many drugs including Robaxin fall into category C. Category C indicates a drug may have risks associated with its use during pregnancy. However, for some patients, the benefits of the drug as a treatment may outweigh the risks. A category A drug is one that’s considered the safest during pregnancy. Category B drugs are likely safe as well, although research may be more limited. Category D drugs are considered unsafe unless there’s a compelling reason the benefits of the medicine outweigh possible risks to the fetus. A category X drug is one that shouldn’t be used during pregnancy.
Do you or someone you love have questions or concerns about a pregnancy and don’t know where to turn for help? Get support and answers at the American Pregnancy Association at 1-800-672-2296.
If you’re not dependent on Robaxin, but you do have pain or an injury, alternatives may be available. For example, rather than taking Robaxin for back pain during pregnancy, your doctor might be able to recommend alternatives. Having good posture is helpful during pregnancy, as is wearing a maternity support belt. Finding a comfortable side sleeping position can help ease some of the pains that you may experience during pregnancy, as can hot or cold compresses, or prenatal massage. If you still have pain from an injury, your healthcare provider may be able to recommend a medication with more available information regarding its safety during pregnancy. For example, an over-the-counter pain medicine might be an option. Don’t start or stop any medication while pregnant without consulting your healthcare provider first.
If you’d like more information about medical detox and addiction treatment, including during pregnancy, contact The Recovery Village today.
Medical Disclaimer: The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
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