Carisoprodol

Indications

Carisoprodol is used for: Painful muscle spasm associated with musculoskeletal conditions

Adult Dose

Oral Painful muscle spasm associated with musculoskeletal conditions Adult: 350 mg 3-4 times daily for up to 2-3 wk. Elderly: Half of the usual dose.

Child Dose

Musculoskeletal Conditions <16 years: Not recommended >16 years: 250-350 mg q8hr and HS

Renal Dose

Administration

May be taken with or without food.

Contra Indications

Acute intermittent porphyria, hypersensitivity. Lactation.

Precautions

Renal and hepatic failure. Pregnancy. Should be used with caution in addiction prone individuals. Lactation: Enters breast milk; use with caution

Pregnancy-Lactation

Pregnancy Data over many decades of use of drug in pregnancy have not identified drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes; data on meprobamate, the primary metabolite of carisoprodol, do not show consistent association between maternal use and increased risk of major birth defects Lactation Data from published literature report that carisoprodol and its metabolite, meprobamate, are present in breastmilk; there are no data on effect on milk production; there is one report of sedation in an infant who was breastfed by a mother taking carisoprodol; because there have been no consistent reports of adverse events in breastfed infants over decades of use, the developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with mother’s clinical need for therapy and any potential adverse effects on breastfed infant or from underlying maternal condition; infants exposed to drug through breast milk should be monitored for sedation

Interactions

Potentially Fatal: Potentiates alcohol and other CNS depressants.

Adverse Effects

Side effects of Carisoprodol : >10% Drowsiness (13-17%) 1-10% Dizziness (7-8%), Headache (3-5%) Frequency Not Defined Orthostatic hypotension, Syncope, Tachycardia, Agitation, Irritability, Depression, Allergic/idiosyncratic reactions (pruritus, rash, dizziness, etc), Epigastric distress, N/V, Facial flushing, Weakness

Mechanism of Action

Carisoprodol blocks interneuronal synaptic activity in the descending reticular formation and spinal cord resulting in skeletal muscle relaxation.