CARISOPRODOL

Carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant, 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.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medicine be used?
Carisoprodol comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken three times daily and at bedtime. It may be taken with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take carisoprodol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking carisoprodol,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to carisoprodol, meprobamate (Equanil, Meprospan, Miltown, Neuramate), or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially medications for allergies, coughs, or colds; muscle
• relaxants; sedatives; sleeping pills; tranquilizers; and vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking carisoprodol, call your doctor.
• you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how carisoprodol affects you.
• remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
• liver disease; or
• kidney disease.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take carisoprodol.

This medication may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Carisoprodol should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using carisoprodol after using it over a long period of time. Withdrawal symptoms include stomach pain, sleep problems, headache, nausea, and seizure (convulsions). Do not stop using this medication suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether carisoprodol passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 12 years old.

Side effects of carisoprodol (Soma, Vanadom)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using carisoprodol and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• paralysis (loss of feeling);
• extreme weakness or lack of coordination;
• feeling light-headed, fainting;
• fast heartbeat;
• seizure (convulsions);
• vision loss; or
• agitation, confusion.

Less serious side effects may include:

• drowsiness, dizziness, tremor;
• headache;
• depression, feeling irritable;
• blurred vision;
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• nausea, vomiting, hiccups, upset stomach.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.