Carisoprodol

Carisoprodol is a prescription medication used to relax muscles and relieve pain due to muscle spasms. Carisoprodol belongs to a class of drugs called muscle relaxants, which help prevent muscle spasms without affecting overall muscle control.

This medication comes in tablet form and is taken 3 times a day and at bedtime, with or without food. It is recommended that carisoprodol be taken for a maximum of 2 to 3 weeks.

Common side effects of carisoprodol include headache, nausea, and vomiting.

Carisoprodol can cause drowsiness and dizziness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how carisoprodol affects you. Alcohol may intensify this side effect.

CYP2C19 is an enzyme in the blood that is responsible for breaking down carisoprodol and other drugs in the body. Some patients have less of this protein in their bodies, affecting how much of the drug gets eliminated. Levels of CYP2C19 can vary greatly between individuals, and those having less of this protein are known as "poor metabolizers." 

CYP2C19 testing is done to determine whether you are a poor metabolizer. If you are a poor metabolizer, the levels of carisoprodol in your blood can become too high. As a result you may be at an increased risk of having more side effects from carisoprodol. Carisoprodol can lead to side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, and headache, among others. (See Carisoprodol Side Effects and Precautions sections). 

Your doctor may adjust your dose of carisoprodol if you are a poor metabolizer.

Carisoprodol is a prescription medication used to relax muscles and relieve pain due to muscle spasms.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Carisoprodol may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Soma

• Soma Compound

• Soma Compound with Codeine

• Vanadom

Common side effects of carisoprodol include:

• drowsiness
• dizziness
• headache
• nausea
• vomiting
• upset stomach

This is not a complete list of carisoprodol side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with carisoprodol. See “Drug Precautions” section.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• alcohol
• benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax)
• opioids such as tramadol (Ultram), morphine (MS Contin), and oxycodone (Oxycontin)
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil) and imipramine (Tofranil)
• meprobamate
• fluvoxamine (Luvox)
• omeprazole (Prilosec)
• rifampin (Rifadin)
• St. John’s Wort

This is not a complete list of carisoprodol drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with carisoprodol including:

• Drug dependence, withdrawal, and abuse: Carisoprodol should be taken for a maximum of 3 weeks and should not be taken with alcohol or CNS depressants such as benzodiazepines, opioids, or tricyclic antidepressants.
• Seizures: Tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures. Only take the prescribed amount of carisoprodol.
• Hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction: An allergic reaction to carisoprodol can occur. Call your doctor if you experience one or more of the following:
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • hoarseness
  • rash or hives

Do not take carisoprodol if you:

• are allergic to carisoprodol (Soma) or meprobamate
• have a history of acute intermittent porphyria (a disease affecting red blood cells)

Carisoprodol can cause drowsiness and dizziness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how carisoprodol affects you. Alcohol may intensify this side effect.

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of carisoprodol, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving carisoprodol.

Alcohol may intensify some side effects of this medication.

Before taking carisoprodol, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• have a history of addictive behavior
• have a history of seizures
• have a history of kidney or liver disease
• are allergic to carisoprodol (Soma) or meprobamate
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Carisoprodol falls into category C. This medication may be given to a pregnant woman if her healthcare provider believes that its benefits to the pregnant woman outweigh any possible risks to her unborn baby.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

The active ingredient in carisoprodol is excreted in human breast milk. The effect of carisoprodol on the nursing infant is not known.

Take carisoprodol exactly as prescribed.

This medication comes in tablet form and is taken 3 times a day and at bedtime, with or without food.  

It is recommended that carisoprodol be taken for a maximum of 3 weeks.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of carisoprodol at the same time.

Take carisoprodol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The recommended dosage of carisoprodol is 250 to 350 mg taken three times a day and at bedtime. It is recommended carisoprodol only be taken for up to three weeks.

If you take too much carisoprodol call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

If carisoprodol is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

• Store carisoprodol at room temperature.
• Keep in a tight, light-resistant container.
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.