Carisoprodol Drug Information

Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxer that works by blocking pain sensations between the nerves and the brain. Carisoprodol is used together with rest and physical therapy to treat injuries and other painful musculoskeletal conditions.
What is the most important information I should know about carisoprodol ?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Carisoprodol may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
• Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking carisoprodol.
What is carisoprodol?
• Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant. It works by blocking nerve impulses (or pain sensations) that are sent to your brain.
• Carisoprodol is used, along with rest and physical therapy, to treat injuries and other painful muscular conditions.
• Carisoprodol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Who should not take carisoprodol?
• Do not take carisoprodol if you have acute intermittent porphyria.
• Before taking carisoprodol, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease . You may need a lower dose or special monitoring during your therapy.
• It is not known whether carisoprodol will harm an unborn baby. Do not take carisoprodol without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
• It is also not known whether carisoprodol passes into breast milk . Do not take carisoprodol without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
• Carisoprodol is not approved for use in children younger than 12 years of age.
How should I take carisoprodol?
• Take carisoprodol exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• The maximum amount of carisoprodol you should take in one day is 1,400 mg (4 tablets).
• Store carisoprodol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication. Try to keep your doses at least 4 hours apart.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention.
• Symptoms of a carisoprodol overdose include low blood pressure (weakness, fainting, confusion), decreased breathing, and unconsciousness.
What should I avoid while taking carisoprodol?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Carisoprodol may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
• Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking carisoprodol.
What are the possible side effects of carisoprodol?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking carisoprodol and seek emergency medical attention:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· paralysis (loss of feeling) or extreme weakness;
· vision loss; or
· agitation or tremor.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take carisoprodol and talk to your doctor if you experience
· drowsiness or dizziness;
· headache;
· depression;
· blurred vision;
· insomnia; or
· hiccups.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect carisoprodol?
• Many drugs can increase the effects of carisoprodol, which can lead to heavy sedation. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
· antihistamines such as brompheniramine (Dimetane, Bromfed, others), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, Teldrin, others), azatadine (Optimine), clemastine (Tavist), and many others;
· narcotics (pain killers) such as meperidine (Demerol), morphine (MS Contin, MSIR, others), propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet), hydrocodone (Lorcet, Vicodin), oxycodone (Percocet, Percodan), fentanyl (Duragesic), and codeine (Fiorinal, Fioricet, Tylenol No.3, others);
· sedatives such as phenobarbital (Solfoton, Luminal), amobarbital (Amytal), and secobarbital (Seconal);
· phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), and trifluoperazine (Stelazine); or
· antidepressants such as doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with carisoprodol. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.