Carisoprodol (By mouth)

Introduction:

Carisoprodol (kar-eye-soe-PROE-dol)

Treats pain and stiffness of muscle spasms. This medicine is a muscle relaxer.

Brand Name(s):

Soma

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take and how often.
• You may take your medicine with food or milk to avoid stomach upset.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose of this medicine and remember within an hour or so of the missed dose, take it right away.
• If you do not remember until later, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
• You should not use two doses at one time.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Keep your tablets at room temperature in a tightly closed container away from heat, light, and moisture.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking drugs that can make you sleepy such as other muscle relaxants, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, antidepressants, barbiturates (Seconal®, Nembutal®), or narcotic pain killers.
• Before taking carisoprodol, tell your doctor if you are taking or have taken within the past 2 weeks an MAO inhibitor, such as Marplan®, Parnate®, or Nardil®.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
• Before taking carisoprodol, tell your doctor if you have ever had liver or kidney disease or porphyria.
• Carisoprodol can cause drowsiness or blurred vision. Be careful when driving a car or using machinery.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Trouble breathing
• Fever
• Severe weakness
• Changes in vision
• Swelling
• Skin rash

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Irritability
• Trouble sleeping

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: