- Generic name: Carisoprodol
- Trade names: Carisoma, Soma, Somadril (Wallace), Vanadom
- Dosages: 350 mg tablets
- Pharmacologic category: Skeletal muscle relaxant
- FDA approved: April 09, 1959
- Habit forming? Possibly
- Pregnancy risk factor: C
Medical uses
Carisoprodol is a centrally-acting skeletal muscle relaxant. This medicine is used to relieve stiffness, pain, and discomfort caused by strains,
sprains, and other muscle injuries. It is often prescribed for back pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis pain, and pain associated with TMJ disorder.
Onset of action: rapid, within 30 min.
Duration of action: 4 to 6 hr.
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. According to the clinical data, it was similarly effective as the centrally
acting muscle relaxant cyclobenzaprine. [3-6]
Legal Status of Carisoprodol
Carisoprodol was classified as a controlled substance in several US states, and effective January 11, 2012, became a schedule IV controlled substance at the US federal level7.
Dosage:
Carisoprodol is most often taken therapeutically in doses of 350 mg up to 3 or 4 times per day.
Carisoprodol is recommended to be used only short term (up to 3 weeks). It is not indicated for children under 12 years of age.
Pharmacological characteristics
- Elimination half-life: 3-4 hours
- Metabolism: metabolized to to its metabolites hydroxycarisoprodol, hydroxymeprobamate, and meprobamate in the liver via cytochrome P450 enzyme, CYP2C19.
- Excretion: eliminated by both renal and non-renal routes. It is dialyzable by peritoneal and hemodialysis.
Benefits
- Potent muscle relaxer - for many people carisoprodol is the best out of all muscle relaxers.
- Quick onset of pain relief.
- Effective for muscle spasms and back pain - disrupts the spasm-pain-spasm progression, improves range of motion, and maximizes everyday functionality [1].
- Can alleviate pain and induce sleep in fibromyalgia [2].
Concerns
- Potential for abuse and dependence. Carisoprodol itself is probably not addictive, but it is metabolized into meprobamate in the liver, which is highly addictive. The majority of cases of drug abuse, dependence and withdrawal have been reported with prolonged use of carisoprodol (beyond several months) or in combination with other CNS depressants or psychotropic drugs. However, there have been cases reported with carisoprodol alone.
- Withdrawal symptoms following abrupt cessation after prolonged use.
- Possible intoxication and psychomotor impairment. Carisoprodol is pretty unsafe for drivers.
Mechanism of action
Carisoprodol works by blocking nerve impulses (or pain sensations)
that are sent to the brain. It interrupts neuronal communication within the reticular formation and spinal cord.
In addition to the muscle relaxing effect,
carisoprodol produces weak analgesic, anti-fever, and anticholinergic action. Carisoprodol and its metabolite meprobamate have sedative and anxiolytic properties similar to benzodiazepines.
Reviews, Discussions & Forums
References
- 1. Toth PP, Urtis J. Commonly used muscle relaxant therapies
for acute low back pain: a review of carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine, and metaxalone. Clin Ther. 2004 Sep;26(9):1355-67.
PubMed
- 2. Vaeroy H, Abrahamsen A, Forre O, Kass E. 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 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. Curr Ther Res. 1982;34(6):917-928.
- 7. Reeves RR, Burke RS, Kose S. Carisoprodol: update on abuse potential and legal status. South Med J. 2012 Nov;105(11):619-23.
By HealthyStock Research Group, September 2009
Medical resources reviewed: August 2018
