What is Carisoprodol?

Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxer that helps in reducing muscle pain or discomfort. It helps in blocking the pain sensations between the nerves and the brain. The primary use of Carisoprodol is to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain or injury. One can use the drug along with rest, physical therapy, and other treatments. Carisoprodol is a generic name of the brand Soma.

People can take this medicine for the short term because muscle injuries are generally short-term. There is not enough evidence to prove that this drug can be useful for prolonged use.

Carisoprodol is an inexpensive drug and can be available at numerous pharmacies. People can also order Carisoprodol online.

How to take Carisoprodol?

People should take this medication by mouth and exactly as directed by their doctor. The dosage of the medicine depends on the strength. The recommended dose is 250 mg to 350 mg three times a day and at bedtime, and the maximum duration to use this medicine is up to two or three weeks. Please do not take this medicine often or longer than prescribed because it can increase the side effects.

The dosage of Carisoprodol depends upon the medical condition of the patients and their response to treatment. It is not advisable to stop this medication suddenly because you could have withdrawal symptoms. The doctor may lower your dose slowly to prevent this from happening. The chance of withdrawal is more likely if you have used this drug for a long time or in high doses.

Carisoprodol is habit-forming and can cause addiction. You should take this medicine exactly as prescribed to reduce the risk of addiction. Suddenly stopping this medicine can cause withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms include insomnia, vomiting, stomach pain, headache, shakiness, and muscle twitching. Other symptoms like hallucinations can also occur. One should not take this medication for longer than three weeks to prevent dependence.

Symptoms of overdose include:

• Blurred vision
• Loss of consciousness
• Confusion
• Difficult breathing
• Hallucinations
• Headache

What to know before taking Carisoprodol?

People should not take this medicine if they are allergic to meprobamate and have other allergies. Carisoprodol may contain some ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• Porphyria
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• A seizure

Tell your doctor immediately if you have a personal or family history of addiction to drugs or alcohol or if you are pregnant and breastfeeding. Carisoprodol can cause drowsiness in a nursing child because it can pass into breast milk.

This drug is not for use by children younger than 16 years old. Older adults can be more sensitive to the side effects of this medication.

What are the benefits of using Carisoprodol?

Carisoprodol helps in relaxing muscles and relieving pain and discomfort caused by strains and other muscle injuries. The effects of this medicine usually begin within half an hour and last for up to six hours. Generic drugs like Carisoprodol, generally cost less, and people can also buy Carisoprodol online.

How Carisoprodol works?

Carisoprodol is related to a class of drugs known as muscle relaxers. It works by preventing your nervous system from sending pain signals to your brain. It affects the communication between nerves in the central nervous system and helps produce muscle relaxation and pain relief.

What are the side effects of Carisoprodol?

Carisoprodol tablets may cause drowsiness. People should not drive or use machinery until they know how this drug affects them. Some common side effects of Carisoprodol are as follows:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness

These side effects may not need medical attention and may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Some severe side effects of Carisoprodol are as follows:

• Fast heartbeat
• Seizures
• Low blood pressure
• Nausea
• Depression
• Nervousness
• Irritability
• Vomiting
• Muscle stiffness
• Shakiness
• Pain in the abdomen

A severe allergic reaction to this drug can also occur in some rare cases. People should seek medical help in case of an allergic reaction, including rash, itching, or swelling.

What to avoid while using Carisoprodol?

People should avoid using certain medicines at or around eating food or eating certain food types because interactions may occur. Things you should avoid while using Carisoprodol include:

Drugs

People should not use certain medicines with other medicines. Using other drugs with Carisoprodol may increase the side effect and make the medication less effective. Some of the drugs that can increase the risk of side effects include:

• Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, diazepam, or flurazepam.
• Opioids
• Meprobamate
• Omeprazole or fluvoxamine 

Alcohol

Carisoprodol can make you feel drowsy, and alcohol consumption with this drug can make your drowsiness worse. Alcohol can increase the side effects of Carisoprodol. People taking this medication should avoid or limit the use of alcohol.

Mixing Carisoprodol and alcohol can increase the risk of side effects which includes:

• Difficulty breathing
• Excessive sedation
• Behavioral changes, including agitation and confusion
• Memory loss problems
• Increased risk of seizures