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carisoprodol (Soma, Rela)
Tradenames: Soma, Rela. DEA: schedule 4
Indications:
1) adjunctive therapy for musculoskeletal pain
2) muscle spasm
Dosage: 350 mg PO TID/QID.
Tabs: 350 mg.
Pharmacokinetics:
1) rapid onset of action
2) effects last 4 hours
3) metabolized in liver; metabolites excreted by kidney
4) no drug withdrawal upon cessation
Adverse effects:
1) CNS
a) drowsiness
b) dizziness
c) vertigo
d) ataxia
e) tremor
f) agitation
g) irritability
h) headache
i) depressive reactions
j) syncope
k) insomnia
2) cardiovascular
a) tachycardia
b) postural hypotension
c) facial flushing
3) gastrointestinal
a) nausea/vomiting
b) hiccups
c) epigastric distress
4) hematologic
a) leukopenia has been reported (confounding factors)
b) no serious blood dyscrasias attributable to Soma
5) allergic or idiosyncratic reaction
a) generally seen within the period of the 1st-4th dose
b) skin rash
c) erythema multiforme
d) pruritus
e) eosinophilia
f) fixed drug eruption
g) asthmatic episodes
h) angioneurotic edema
i) anaphylactoid shock
6) withdrawal symptoms may occur with abrupt discontinuation
a) myalgias, sweating, palpitations, sadness, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia
b) taper over 4-9 days [3]
Mechanism of action:
1) blocks interneuronal activity in the descending reticular tract & spinal cord (in animals)
2) sedative
Interactions
drug adverse effects (more general classes)
General
sedative/hypnotic (tranquilizer)
skeletal muscle relaxant (tranquilizer)
Properties
MISC-INFO: elimination route LIVER
pregnancy-category ?
safety in lactation -
Database Correlations
PUBCHEM cid=2576
References
- The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed.
Gilman et al, eds. Permagon Press/McGraw Hill, 1996
- PDR 2000
- Prescriber's Letter 15(12): 2008
Common Oral Medications that May Need Tapering
Detail-Document#: 241208
(subscription needed) http://www.prescribersletter.com
- Carisoprodol (Soma®) and Sedative Quantities to be
Restricted on November 15, 2002
http://pharmacy.oregonstate.edu/drug_policy/pages/dur_board/newsletter/articles/volume4/4_8.html
- Prescriber's Letter 19(1): 2012
Carisoprodol: Schedule IV Controlled Substance Nationwide
Detail-Document#: 280119
(subscription needed) http://www.prescribersletter.com
- Deprecated Reference
Component-of
aspirin/carisoprodol (Soma Compound)
aspirin/carisoprodol/codeine (Soma Compound with Codeine)