Effect of Methocarbamol on acute low back pain: A systematic review [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

• Published in: F1000 research 2024, Vol.13, p.1139
• Main Authors: Wided, Bahria, Yasmine, Makhlouf, Intissar, Boussaid, Yasmine, Walha, Elhouda, Nouira Nour, Ahmed, Laater
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2046-1402; 2046-1402
• DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.156511.1

Introduction Pharamcological treatment for acute low back pain (ALBP) typically involves opioid drugs, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Methocarbamol is utilized primarily for managing muscle spasms and pain. This systematic review aims to provide an updated synthesis of published literature on the effects of Methocarbamol on pain outcomes in ALBP. Methods This systematic review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Original articles published until December 2023 were sourced from PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Articles focusing on the impact of Methocarbamol on pain outcomes in ALBP patients were included. Results Three studies met the inclusion criteria, published between 2018 and 2023. The total study population comprised 405 ALBP patients, with 163 receiving Methocarbamol. Compared to patients not receiving Methocarbamol, those in the Methocarbamol group showed pain improvement at one week. However, at 30 and 60 minutes after intravenous administration, Methocarbamol was less effective than Diazepam. The primary reported adverse event was nausea. Conclusion When administered in combination with Indomethacin or Naproxen, Methocarbamol shows potential for improving pain outcomes at one week in ALBP patients. However, its efficacy appears inferior to Diazepam in the short-term management of pain