Generic name: carisoprodol [ kar-eye-soe-PROE-dole ]
Brand names: Soma, Vanadom
Drug class:Skeletal muscle relaxants
What is carisoprodol?
Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxer that blocks pain sensations between the nerves and the brain.
Carisoprodol is used together with rest and physical therapy to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain or injury.
Carisoprodol should only be used for short periods (up to two or three weeks) because there is no evidence of its effectiveness in long term use and most skeletal muscle injuries are generally of short duration. Carisoprodol is considered a controlled substance in the United States.
Warnings
You should not take carisoprodol if you have porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system).
Carisoprodol may be habit-forming. Never share this medicine with another person. Misuse of habit-forming medicine can cause addiction, overdose, or death.
Carisoprodol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase drowsiness and dizziness caused by this medicine.
You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using this medicine after using it over a long period of time. Do not stop using this medication suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to carisoprodol or meprobamate, or if you have:
porphyria (a g...
