ATMEKSI

ATMEKSI is indicated as an adjunct to rest, physical therapy, and other measures for the relief of discomfort associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions in patients 16 and older.

Initial dosage: 1,500 mg (10 mL) 4 times daily

Maintenance dosage: 750 mg (5 mL) every 4 hours or 1,500 mg (10 mL) 3 times daily

Six grams a day are recommended for the first 48 to 72 hours of treatment. (For severe conditions 8 grams a day may be administered). Thereafter, the dosage can usually be reduced to approximately 4 grams a day.

Inform the patient to shake the drug product for at least 30 seconds to ensure it is uniform before administration.

ATMEKSI is contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to methocarbamol or to any of the oral suspension components.

ATMEKSI may potentiate the effects of CNS (central nervous system) depressants and alcohol. Patients receiving ATMEKSI (methocarbamol) Oral Suspension should be cautioned about combined effects with alcohol and other CNS depressants [ see Drug Interactions (7.1)].

ATMEKSI may impair mental and/or physical abilities required for performance of hazardous tasks, such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle. Patients should be cautioned about operating machinery, including automobiles, until they are reasonably certain that methocarbamol therapy does not adversely affect their ability to engage in such activities.

ATMEKSI may potentiate the effects of CNS (central nervous system) depressants and alcohol [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

ATMEKSI may inhibit the effect of pyridostigmine bromide. Patients with myasthenia gravis should be monitored closely for symptoms of myasthenia gravis such as weakness. If symptoms of myasthenia gravis are observed, treatment with ATMEKSI should be stopped immediately.

ATMEKSI may cause color interference in certain screening tests for 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) using nitrosonaphthol reagent and in screening tests for urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) using the Gitlow method.

Risk Summary

Limited data from case reports over decades of use with methocarbamol during pregnancy have not identified an increased risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes.

The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized patients is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20% respectively.

Risk Summary

There are no data on the presence of methocarbamol or its metabolites in human milk, the effects on a breastfed infant or the effects on milk production. Methocarbamol and/or its metabolite are present in animal milk. When a drug is present in animal milk, it is likely that the drug will be present in human milk. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for ATMEKSI and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from ATMEKSI or the underlying maternal condition.

Safety and effectiveness of methocarbamol oral suspension in pediatric patients below the age of 16 have not been established.

The mechanism of action of methocarbamol in humans has not been established but may be due to general central nervous system (CNS) depression. It has no direct action on the contractile mechanism of striated muscle, the motor end plate, or the nerve fiber.

Absorption

After oral administration in healthy volunteers, ATMEKSI is rapidly absorbed with a median Tmax of 0.66 hours. Food decreases the extent and delays the rate of absorption of methocarbamol. In the presence of food, the Cmax is decreased by 51% and the AUC is decreased by 31%. The median Tmax is delayed to 1.6 hours.

Distribution

Methocarbamol demonstrates moderate binding to plasma proteins, typically ranging from 46% to 50%.

Elimination

In healthy volunteers, the plasma clearance of methocarbamol ranges between 0.20 and 0.80 L/h/kg. The mean plasma elimination half-life of ATMEKSI in healthy volunteers is approximately 1.3 hours and 1.5 hours when administered with or without food.

Metabolism

Methocarbamol is metabolized via dealkylation and hydroxylation. Conjugation of methocarbamol also is likely. Essentially all methocarbamol metabolites are eliminated in the urine.

Excretion

Small amounts of unchanged methocarbamol also are excreted in the urine.

Specific Populations

Geriatric Patients

The mean (± SD) elimination half-life of methocarbamol in elderly healthy volunteers (mean (± SD) age, 69 (± 4) years) was slightly prolonged compared to a younger (mean (± SD) age, 53.3 (± 8.8) years), healthy population (1.5 (± 0.4) hours versus 1.1 (± 0.27) hours, respectively). The fraction of bound methocarbamol was slightly decreased in the elderly versus younger volunteers (41 to 43% versus 46 to 50%, respectively).

Pediatric Patients

Safety and effectiveness of methocarbamol oral suspension in pediatric patients below the age of 16 have not been established.

Patients with Renal Impairment

The clearance of methocarbamol in 8 renally-impaired patients on maintenance hemodialysis was reduced about 40% compared to 17 normal subjects, although the mean (± SD) elimination half-life in these two groups was similar: 1.2 (± 0.6) versus 1.1 (± 0.3) hours, respectively.

Patients with Hepatic Impairment

In 8 patients with cirrhosis secondary to alcohol abuse, the mean total clearance of methocarbamol was reduced approximately 70% compared to that obtained in 8 age- and weight-matched normal subjects. The mean (± SD) elimination half-life in the cirrhotic patients and the normal subjects was 3.38 (± 1.62) hours and 1.11 (± 0.27) hours, respectively. The percent of methocarbamol bound to plasma proteins was decreased to approximately 40 to 45% compared to 46 to 50% in the normal subjects.

Carcinogenesis

Long-term studies to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of methocarbamol have not been performed.

Mutagenesis

No studies have been conducted to assess the effect of methocarbamol on mutagenesis.

Impairment of Fertility

No studies have been conducted to assess the effect of methocarbamol on its potential to impair fertility.

ATMEKSI (methocarbamol) Oral Suspension contains 750 mg/5 mL methocarbamol. It is a white to off-white suspension with a fruit flavor and is supplied in bottles of 150 mL with a child-resistant closure (NDC 69528-701-05).

Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Keep out of reach and sight of children.