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Carisoprodol (Soma) 350 mg
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Basic information
- Generic name: Carisoprodol
- Brand/Trade names: Soma
- Dosages: 350 mg tablets
- Pharmacologic category: Skeletal muscle relaxant
- FDA approved: April 09, 1959
- Habit forming? Possibly
- Pregnancy risk factor: C
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Medical uses
Carisoprodol is used with rest, physical therapy, and other measures
to relax muscles and relieve pain and discomfort caused by strains,
sprains, and other muscle injuries. Muscle relaxers are for specific
muscle injury and pain and should not be used for general body
aches and pains.
In clinical trial Carisoprodol was better than propoxyphene in
relieving stiffness and increasing movement. It was
better than butabarbital for increasing movement and leading to
general improvement. Carisoprodol was superior to diazepam for
relieving the symptoms of acute lower back pain. Carisoprodol
did not differ from the centrally acting muscle relaxant cyclobenzaprine.
[3-6]
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Pharmacological characteristics
- Elimination half-life: 3-4 hours
- Metabolism: Carisoprodol is metabolized in the liver
via cytochrome P450 enzyme, CYP2C19.
- Excretion: Carisoprodol is eliminated by both renal
and non-renal routes. It is dialyzable by peritoneal and hemodialysis.
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Benefits
- potent muscle relaxer
- available in generic version
- effective for back pain [1]
- can alleviate pain, induce sleep in fibromyalgia [2]
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Concerns
- potential for abuse and dependence
- withdrawal symptoms (abdominal cramps, insomnia, headache,
nausea, and seizure) following abrupt cessation after prolonged
use
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Mechanism of action
Carisoprodol 350 mg tablets work by blocking nerve impulses (or pain sensations)
that are sent to the brain.
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Reviews, Discussions & Forums
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References
- 1. Toth PP, Urtis J. Commonly used muscle relaxant therapies
for acute low back pain: a review of carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine
hydrochloride, and metaxalone. Clin Ther. 2004 Sep;26(9):1355-67.
PubMed
- 2. Vaeroy H, Abrahamsen A, Forre O, Kass E. Treatment of fibromyalgia
(fibrositis syndrome): a parallel double blind trial with carisoprodol,
paracetamol and caffeine (Somadril comp) versus placebo. Clin
Rheumatol. 1989 Jun;8(2):245-50. PubMed
- 3. Hindle T. Comparison of carisoprodol, butabarbital, and
placebo in the treatment of low back syndrome. Calif Med. 1972;117:7-11.
- 4. Baratta RR. A double-blind comparative study of carisoprodol,
propoxyphene, and placebo in the management of low back syndrome.
Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. Sep 1976;20(3):233-240.
- 5. Boyles W, Glassmann J, Soyka J. Management of acute muskuloskeletal
conditions: thoracolumbar strain and sprain. A double-blind
evaluation comparing the efficacy and safety of carisoprodol
with diazepam. Today's Ther Trends. 1983;1:1-16.
- 6. Rollings H, Glassmann J, Soyka J. Management of acute musculoskeletal
conditions - thoracolumbar strain and sprain: a double-blind
evaluation comparing the efficacy and safety of carisoprodol
with cyclobenzadrine hydrochloride. Curr Ther Res. 1982;34(6):917-928.
Last modified: April, 2010
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Interesting facts
- Carisoprodol is a noncontrolled skeletal muscle relaxant whose
active metabolite is meprobamate (Schedule IV controlled substance
in Oregon, but not a federally Schedule IV controlled substance)
- Carisoprodol is chemically, structurally, and pharmacologically
related to meprobamate. Meprobamate is a CNS depressant, indicated
for the management of anxiety disorders or for short-term treatment
of anxiety symptoms.
- In addition to the desired skeletal muscle relaxing effect, carisoprodol
produces weak anticholinergic, antipyretic and analgesic properties.
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