Owing to its short half-life, methocarbamol is a safer choice for short-term use in older patients. Diazepam is not considered a drug of choice in older patients because of a long-acting metabolite and because it has been associated with falls. Cyclobenzaprine, orphenadrine, and methocarbamol all have anticholinergic effects and cause sedation that can contribute to orthostatic hypotension and risk for falls in older adults. Orphenadrine and cyclobenzaprine have strong anticholinergic effects.
Learn more about methocarbamol.
This Rapid Rx Quiz was excerpted and adapted from the Medscape articles Low Back Pain and Sciatica, Carisoprodol, Cyclobenzaprine, Diazepam, Metaxalone, Widely Prescribed Meds Ineffective for Low Back Pain?, and Methocarbamol.
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Cite this: Mary L. Windle. Rapid Rx Quiz: Muscle Relaxants - Medscape - May 18, 2022.
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