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Methocarbamol and Tylenol: Can you take them together?

Combining methocarbamol and Tylenol is a common and generally safe approach to managing muscle pain and spasms
Wendy Wisner
By | Sep. 11, 2024 Medically reviewed by Goldina Erowele, Pharm.D.
two pills comparing methocarbamol and Tylenol

Key takeaways

  • Methocarbamol and Tylenol are safe to take together.

  • There are no known interactions between methocarbamol and Tylenol.

  • Combining methocarbamol and Tylenol can help with muscle pain caused by muscle spasms.

  • You should always seek the advice of your healthcare team or your pharmacist before taking these medications together.

In this article:

If Tylenol isn’t doing enough to relieve your muscle pain and spasms, or if you want to boost the pain relief from methocarbamol, you might wonder if you can take both together. The good news is that it’s usually safe to take both methocarbamol and Tylenol at the same time; however, you should check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist first before taking it. 

Methocarbamol is marketed under your healthcare team’s or pharmacist’s advice. Robaxin is a prescription skeletal muscle relaxant approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat acute musculoskeletal pain and muscle spasms. Tylenol is the brand name for acetaminophen, a medication used to treat fever and pain. Read on to learn more about the safety and effectiveness of taking methocarbamol with Tylenol. We’ll examine what experts say about the benefits and any possible risks.

Can you take methocarbamol with Tylenol?

Yes, you can take methocarbamol with Tylenol, and it’s a combination physicians recommend to their patients frequently. “As an addiction medicine and emergency medicine physician, I often recommend this combination for acute conditions,” says Andrew Youssouf, MD, medical director of Ikon Recovery.

Dr. Youssouf says that taking methocarbamol with Tylenol is safe, and adverse reactions are unlikely. “These two medications don’t have direct interactions, which makes them a common combination for managing pain and muscle spasms.”

Dr. Taher Saifullah, a pain management specialist and founder of the Spine & Pain Institute, says, “It is generally safe to take methocarbamol and Tylenol (acetaminophen).” They work differently in the body, so they don’t typically interact negatively with each other.”

Can you take methocarbamol with Extra Strength Tylenol?

Tylenol is usually sold in two forms: regular strength”, 325 mg tablets, and extra strength, 500 mg tablets. If you’re considering combining Tylenol and methocarbamol, you may wonder whether it’s safe to take extra-strength Tylenol with methocarbamol.

“If you’re using extra-strength Tylenol, which has a higher dose of acetaminophen (usually 500 mg per tablet), it’s still safe as long as you stick to the recommended dosages for both medications,” Saifullah explains. 

The recommended daily doses for these two medications are:

  • Tylenol: Don’t take more than 4000 mg total in 24 hours
  • Methocarbamol tablets: Don’t take more than 6000 mg in 24 hours

Benefits of taking methocarbamol and Tylenol together

Dr. Robert Applebaum, a board-certified plastic surgeon and the CEO of Applebaum MD, says that there are no known adverse drug interactions when combining methocarbamol tablets with Tylenol. However, the benefits of this drug combination depend on the conditions being treated. “Tylenol is taken mainly as a pain reliever for mild conditions such as headaches or muscle soreness, but it does little to reduce the cause of pain,” said Dr. Applebaum. “If you are experiencing muscle spasms, taking methocarbamol in combination with Tylenol can be helpful in both reducing the cause and result,” he explains.

According to Dr. Saifullah, combining methocarbamol tablets with Tylenol can provide an effective approach to pain management. “Methocarbamol helps relax muscles and reduce spasms, while Tylenol can alleviate general pain and discomfort,” he shares. “Together, they can offer a more comprehensive approach to pain relief, potentially improving your overall comfort and ability to function.”

Methocarbamol and Tylenol medication interactions 

Methocarbamol can interact with other medications. To help avoid interactions, tell your healthcare provider about all medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. According to the Medscape Drug Interaction Checker, methocarbamol and Tylenol do not interact. 

However, there are drug interactions reported with Methocarbamol.

Interactions that can make drugs less effective

Taking methocarbamol while you take pyridostigmine bromide, a medicine your healthcare team uses for myasthenia gravis (a condition that causes muscle weakness), can reduce the levels of pyridostigmine bromide in your body, which may reduce its effectiveness.

Methocarbamol and Tylenol side effects

While methocarbamol and Tylenol are generally well-tolerated when taken under the supervision of a healthcare provider and according to dosing instructions, they are not without side effects or risks. However, Dr. Saifullah notes that taking them together generally does not add any extra risk, as they do not interact with each other.

Potential adverse effects of acetaminophen include:

  • Skin rashes
  • Allergic reactions
  • Kidney dysfunction
  • Anemia
  • Electrolyte imbalance
  • Liver problems and liver damage

 can cause serious side effects, such as:

  • Drowsiness, including severe drowsiness
  • Unusual lightheadedness
  • Stomach upset and abdominal pain
  • Fever
  • Blurred vision
  • Rash

This is not a complete list of possible side effects, so you should seek medical advice if you experience any of these symptoms or other adverse effects.

As Dr. Youssouf points out, methocarbamol can make you drowsy and lightheaded, and it’s important not to combine it with other central nervous system (CNS) depressants like alcohol, sleep medications, or certain anxiety medications (barbiturates, benzodiazepines, or opioids).

The biggest concern with Tylenol is the toll it can take on your liver, as excessive Tylenol intake can lead to liver damage. “If you have underlying health issues such as liver disease or are currently using other medications that affect the liver like certain antibiotics or antifungals, discuss these with your doctor to avoid any potential health complications,” Dr. Youssouf recommends.

Can you take muscle relaxers and Tylenol together?

 In general, Tylenol can be combined with most muscle relaxers. “For example, muscle relaxers like cyclobenzaprine or carisoprodol can be safely used with Tylenol,” Dr. Saifullah says. “However, it’s important to consider the specific muscle relaxer and your total dose.”

Whichever muscle relaxer you are taking with Tylenol, it’s vital that you stay in touch with your healthcare provider or pharmacist and seek appropriate medical advice. “As with any over-the-counter medicines that you might feel unsure about, talk with your healthcare provider before combining medications to make sure the combination is safe for your unique health requirement,” Dr. Youssouf advises.

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