Generic Name: Carisoprodol (kar-eye-soe-PROE-dole)

Brand Names: Soma®, Vanadom®

Classification: Muscle Relaxer

Issue Date: 1985

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.

This medication may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Carisoprodol should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using carisoprodol 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.

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 carisoprodol.

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Store carisoprodol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to:

• carisoprodol
• meprobamate (Equanil, Miltown)
• if you have porphyria

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder
• liver disease
• kidney disease

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use carisoprodol, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

This medication may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Carisoprodol should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using carisoprodol after using it over a long period of time. Withdrawal symptoms include:

• stomach pain
• sleep problems
• headache
• nausea
• seizure (convulsions)

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.

This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether carisoprodol passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 12 years old.

No information is available regarding a missed dose of melatonin. Consult your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider if you require further information.

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction:

• skin rash or hives
• difficulty breathing
• swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat

Stop using carisoprodol and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• paralysis (loss of feeling)
• extreme weakness or lack of coordination
• feeling light-headed, fainting
• fast heartbeat
• seizure (convulsions)
• vision loss
• agitation, confusion

Continue using carisoprodol and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• drowsiness
• dizziness
• tremor
• headache
• depression
• feeling irritable
• blurred vision
• sleep problems (insomnia)
• nausea
• vomiting
• hiccups
• upset stomach

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.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Adinazolam
• Alfentanil
• Alprazolam
• Amobarbital
• Anileridine
• Aprobarbital
• Bromazepam
• Brotizolam
• Butabarbital
• Butalbital
• Carisoprodol
• Chloral Hydrate
• Chlordiazepoxide
• Chlorzoxazone
• Clobazam
• Clonazepam
• Clorazepate
• Codeine
• Dantrolene
• Diazepam

• Estazolam
• Ethchlorvynol
• Fentanyl
• Flunitrazepam
• Flurazepam
• Halazepam
• Hydrocodone
• Hydromorphone
• Ketazolam
• Levorphanol
• Lorazepam
• Lormetazepam
• Medazepam
• Meperidine
• Mephenesin
• Mephobarbital
• Meprobamate
• Metaxalone
• Methocarbamol
• Methohexital

• Midazolam
• Morphine
• Morphine Sulfate Liposome
• Nitrazepam
• Nordazepam
• Oxazepam
• Oxycodone
• Oxymorphone
• Pentobarbital
• Phenobarbital
• Prazepam
• Primidone
• Propoxyphene
• Quazepam
• Remifentanil
• Secobarbital
• Sodium Oxybate
• Sufentanil
• Temazepam
• Thiopental
• Triazolam