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What is Carisoprodol?
Carisoprodol, which is sold under brand name Soma, is a prescription medicine used to relieve short term muscle spasm caused by strains or injuries. It falls under the class of medications called skeletal muscle relaxants.
Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant taken for relief from pain and discomfort due to acute musculoskeletal conditions. It is known for its effectiveness in treating muscle spasms, strains, and other painful muscle conditions.
Carisoprodol, commonly marketed under brand names such as Soma and Pain O Soma, works by blocking pain sensations between the nerves and the brain.
Carisoprodol is an FDA approved medication that alleviates the discomfort caused by painful acute musculoskeletal conditions.
In 1959 it was approved in US for medical use and it’s available as generic medication. In 2019, it was the 343rd most commonly prescribed medication with over eight hundred thousand prescriptions. It is classified as schedule IV controlled substance in United States.
How Does Carisoprodol Work?
The exact mechanism through which carisoprodol acts on acute painful musculoskeletal condition remains unknown.
Carisoprodol depresses the central nervous system (CNS) to help reduce muscle activity, leading to reduced muscle tension and severity of spasm. This drug, when taken, undergoes hepatic metabolism into meprobamate which has anti-anxiety and sedative effects. Dual action results in:
Relieving Muscle Spasms: Decreases muscle spasm intensity and discomfort.
Pain Reduction: Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxer that blocks pain sensations between the nerves and the brain.
Uses of Carisoprodol
Below are some of the specific uses where carisoprodol may be prescribed:
1. Acute Musculoskeletal Pain
- Effective for treating muscle strains and sprains.
- Helps in treating acute lower back pain and lumbar strain.
- It manages pain from acute cervical strain or neck stiffness.
- Can reduce headaches due to muscle tension.
2. Muscle Spasms
- Spasticity: Reduces muscle spasms and improves mobility in conditions where muscles are tight or stiff,
- Injury-related spasms: helps with spasms after muscle or joint injuries.
3. Post-Surgical Pain
- Orthopedic Surgery: Used to treat muscular discomfort and spasms after bone and joint surgery.
- Other Surgical Procedures: Helps to reduce muscular discomfort and spasms after surgery.
4. Fibromyalgia
Widespread Muscle Pain: It can alleviate the muscle pain and tenderness associated with fibromyalgia.
5. Myofascial Pain Syndrome
It can be used to relieve pain and discomfort from myofascial trigger points, which are sensitive areas within the muscle.
6. Acute Injuries
- Treats muscle pain and spasms resulting from sports injuries.
- Manages pain and spasms from muscle injuries due to accidents or falls.
Carisoprodol Brand Names
Carisoprodol is sold under different brand names all over the world. Here are some well-known brand names for Carisoprodol:
Common Brand Names:
- Soma
- Pain O Soma
- Soprodol
- Vanadom
- Carisoma
- Sodol
- Cariso
While carisoprodol is also available in various generic forms or with other names as soma is also available in dosage form of pain o soma 350mg, pain o soma 500mg, prosoma 350mg, or prosoma 500mg.
Indications for Carisoprodol:
Carisoprodol is a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant.
Indications approved by the FDA
FDA-approved indications for carisoprodol include treatment of acute musculoskeletal pain.
- The medication is not recommended for more than three weeks.
- Carisoprodol should not be administered to patients below 16 years of age.
- In America, carisoprodol is classed as Schedule IV controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
- However due to its sedative and relaxant effects carisoprodol off-label use is discouraged.
- Generally, most skeletal muscle injuries are of short duration.
Carisoprodol must be used for short periods (not more than 2 to 3 weeks) due to lack of evidence on its usefulness in long term treatment.
Carisoprodol should be used with other therapies such as rest, physical therapy, and other treatments for relaxation or relief of skeletal muscles associated with conditions like pain, strains, sprains or muscle injuries.
Understanding Muscle Relaxants are very important for all before starting the treatment for muscle spasms or strains. Make sure to get a prescription from the doctor before starting a treatment for muscle relaxation.
Administration: How should I take carisoprodol?
- Take it exactly as directed by your doctor.
- Carefully follow all instructions given on the prescription label and read any medication guide or instruction sheet provided.
- Carisoprodol may lead to addiction. It can result in an overdose or even death when misused.
- Carisoprodol is typically taken three times per day and at bedtime; it should not exceed a period of 2 or 3 weeks.
- Adhere strictly to your doctor’s prescription for this drug.
- Do not abruptly stop using this drug after using it for a long time.
- If you do not see changes in two or three weeks, consult your physician because it could get worse.
What To Avoid While Using Carisoprodol?
- Avoid alcohol consumption.
- Don’t drive or engage in activities that require alertness.
Possible Side Effects of Carisoprodol:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- Rash
- Fast heart rate
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Seizures (rare)
- Agitation or irritability
- Dependence and withdrawal symptoms (with prolonged use)
- Allergic reactions: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing
Drug Interactions:
According to Drugs.com, there are over 370 medications that can interact with carisoprodol, 1 food/alcohol interaction and 3 diseases interactions have been recorded so far. Of the total drug interactions, 28 are major, 341 are moderate, and 1 is minor.
- Alprazolam
- Bromazepam
- Carbamazepine
- Diazepam
- Estazolam
- Flurazepam
- Gabapentin
View all 370 medications that may interact with carisoprodol.
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