Carisoprodol 350 mg Tablet Treat Muscle Pain, Carisoprodol Uses, Dosage & Review
Carisoprodol 350 mg tablet is a
prescription-only medication (POM) that belongs to the group of drugs called
non-narcotic muscle relaxants. It is usually used short-term to treat muscle
pain and discomfort. It is usually used along with rest, physical therapy, and
other treatments. It operates by stimulating muscle relaxation.
- Carisoprodol is primarily
prescribed as a muscle relaxant that helps relieve back pain, medical
conditions associated with the muscles such as rheumatoid arthritis, and
fibromyalgia. The drug is also used for the treatment of some injuries and
fractures to help reduce swelling and pain. Carisoprodol is commonly sold under
the brand name Soma.
How To Take The Drug
Every patient is different,
and so is every medicine. For this reason, patients should take their medications
exactly as prescribed, or the way their doctor tells them to. Every individual
has a different response to drugs.
The main idea is that only
the dose you need in order to achieve positive results will be prescribed for
you, and no more.
- Take the pill by mouth with
or without food, as told by your doctor. Also, doctors usually advise patients
against cutting, crushing, or chewing their medication, as this may possibly
change the required dose or even make the drug ineffective.
How It Works
Carisoprodol falls into a class of
medications called skeletal muscle relaxants because it helps relax your
muscles. Carisoprodol also reduces the feeling of pain caused by damaged nerves
(neuropathic pain) in people with diabetes.
The main mechanism behind
it’s working is that Supposedly, carisoprodol prevents your nervous system from
sending signals to your brain that pain is occurring.
Carisoprodol side effects
Sometimes Carisoprodol side effects may make you drowsy.
Do not drive or handle machinery until you see how it strikes you. It could
also cause other side effects.
Other side effects are listed below:
- headache
- dizziness
- drowsiness
Severe
side effects are listed below:
- Irregular heartbeat
- Low blood pressure,
- Fainting
- Face flushing
- Muscle rigidness
- Agitation or feeling of irritation
- Depression
- Seizures
- Shakiness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdomen pain
- The impact of this drug varies from person to person. So it’s essential to communicate to your doctor about these results.
- The impact of this drug varies from person to person.
Carisoprodol Interactions
- Carisoprodol oral tablets
can cause interactions with certain drugs, vitamins, or herbs. These
interactions can cause side effects, prevent the drug from working well, or
change how much of the drug your body absorbs.
- Make sure to consult with
your doctor about all the previous medications and herbs you are taking. The
most important way to avoid interactions is by not taking multiple drugs at the
same time. In fact, you should tell your doctor if you're taking any other
medications, vitamins, or herbs.
- Be sure to keep a list of
all the prescription drugs you take and share it with your doctor and
pharmacist. It would be good for you if you do not change the dose or stop
taking it without consulting your doctor.
Example ,
Benzodiazepines,
- Alprazolam,
- Diazepam,
- Flurazepam.
Opioids,
- Morphine,
- Oxycodone,
- Hydrocodone,
- Codeine
Tricyclic Antidepressants,
- Amitriptyline,
- Nortriptyline,
- Doxepin,
- Imipramine.
- Meprobamate.
- Omeprazole
- Fluvoxamine
If you're taking any of the
following medications, it's important to know that carisoprodol may not work as
well to treat your condition:
Drug Warnings
Allergies
- If an allergic reaction
occurs, see a doctor or call a poison control center to receive further
instructions. If symptoms are severe, then seek out immediate emergency
assistance by calling 911 or going to the nearest hospital.
Allergic reactions that are
associated with
Breathing difficulties
Swelling of your throat or tongue
You should not take it
again if you have ever suffered an allergic reaction to it or a drug called
Meprobamate. Taking it again may be fatal.
Alcohol Reaction
Don't drink alcohol while
you take Carisoprodol. If you do, your drowsiness may become worse than if you
took the drug alone.
Porphyria - Avoid taking Carisoprodol
otherwise, you will face severe symptoms.
People
with an enzyme (CYP2C19) that works slowly - If you have a genetic mutation for the CYP2C19 enzyme,
you may have higher levels of carisoprodol in your body. This raises your risk
of side effects. Your doctor may lower the dosage of this drug.
Liver
problems -
If you have an underactive
liver, this drug may take longer to leave the body and as a result, it may
cause more side effects. Your doctor may reduce the dosage of this drug in
order to minimize your risk of experiencing these side effects.
Kidney
issues
When kidney function
declines, the drug will be cleared from your bloodstream more slowly. This can
cause higher blood levels of the drug and increase side effects. Your doctor
may then adjust the dose accordingly.
Pregnant
women -
Talk to your doctor if
you're pregnant or plan to become pregnant. This drug shouldn't be used during
pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
women - If
you're breastfeeding, talk to your doctor. You may need to decide whether to
stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication. A doctor should be consulted
if you are breastfeeding your child and you are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant, or plan a home birth.
There is no data available
about the safety and effectiveness of this medication in people over 65 years
old. This is why it's risky to use it in this age group.
Special Considerations
Carisoprodol is not meant
for long-term use. It carries some serious risks in a way that you have to take
it as prescribed.
If you quit taking this
drug abruptly, you may have withdrawal symptoms. You can reduce the likelihood
of these side effects by lowering the amount you take each day and by slowly
stopping this drug.
Missing a dose or not
taking the drug regularly can cause the levels of the drug in your body to drop
suddenly, leaving you unprotected from the disease.
If you take too much of
this drug, your body could retain a dangerously high level of it. This is a
bigger risk if you use it with drugs that are also misused or taken at high
doses.
Overdose Symptoms
●
low
blood pressure
●
fast
heartbeat
●
trouble
breathing
●
seizures
●
delusions
(believing in things that aren’t true)
●
hallucinations
●
unusual
excitement
●
vision
problems
●
muscle
stiffness and lack of coordination
●
coma
●
death
In
case if you miss your dose - Get into the habit of taking your dose at the same time
each day. Don't be alarmed if you sometimes forget to take your dose. When it's
almost time for your next dose, take only one dose. Never try to catch up by
talking.
General Considerations
Do not forget to take the drug as per prescribed time
Taking carisoprodol with food may reduce some of its side effects.
The tablet can be cut, or it could be crushed.
Medication Refill
If you want to refill your
prescription, talk to your doctor. You will need the same doctor because he or
she has written information about the number of refills on the prescription.
While Travelling
Carry all of your
medication with you at all times. unless you checked your bag and it is in the
cargo hold of a plane. Never put them in the checked bag if flying.
