Carisoprodol (By mouth)

Brand Name(s)

Soma, Prazolamine

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• It is best to take this medicine with food or milk.
• This medicine is not for long-term use. This medicine should only be used for 2 to 3 weeks.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using St. John's wort, fluvoxamine (Luvox®), omeprazole (Prilosec®), or rifampin (Rifadin®, Rimactane®).
• Before taking carisoprodol, tell your doctor if you are taking or have taken within the past 2 weeks an MAO inhibitor (MAOI), such as Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate®.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or seizures. Tell your doctor if you have a history of drug abuse or dependence.
• Carisoprodol can cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
• This medicine may be habit-forming. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor for instructions.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Changes in vision
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat.
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Seizures.
• Severe weakness.
• Skin rash.
• Swelling.
• Trouble breathing.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache.
• Irritability.
• Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain.
• Trouble sleeping.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Introduction

Carisoprodol (kar-eye-soe-PROE-dol)

Treats pain and stiffness of muscle spasms. This medicine is a muscle relaxant.