6 mins read

Overview: Carisoprodol is used short-term to relieve muscle, bone, and joint pain. It relaxes muscles by affecting nerve activity in the spinal cord. Common side effects include dizziness and drowsiness. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how carisoprodol affects you.

Uses

What is carisoprodol used for?

Carisoprodol is commonly used to treat discomfort related to short-term, painful musculoskeletal conditions. These are conditions that affect the muscles, bones, and joints of your body. 

Carisoprodol may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does carisoprodol work (mechanism of action)?

Carisoprodol seems to relax muscles by affecting nerve activity in the spinal cord. 

How is carisoprodol supplied (dosage forms)?

Brand and other names

  • Soma

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 250 mg, 350 mg oral tablets 

How should I store carisoprodol?

Carisoprodol should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of carisoprodol?

The most common side effects of carisoprodol are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Drowsiness and dizziness (see below)
  • Headache

There may be other side effects of carisoprodol that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of carisoprodol?

While less common, the most serious side effects of carisoprodol are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Carisoprodol may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking carisoprodol and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Drowsiness and Dizziness. Carisoprodol can make you drowsy. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how carisoprodol affects you.

Seizures. Some people who have taken carisoprodol have reported having seizures. There are many different types of seizures and some of them are not easy to recognize. Stop taking carisoprodol and call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.

  • Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
  • Stiffening of your arms and legs
  • Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Falling or losing consciousness

Risk of Misuse and Addiction. Misusing carisoprodol can lead to serious side effects like coma or death. Misuse means taking a medicine in a way other than how it was prescribed. Take carisoprodol exactly as prescribed. Tell your healthcare provider if you feel that carisoprodol is not working. Call your healthcare provider right away or go to the nearest emergency room if you have any of the following serious symptoms.

  • Sudden confusion or feeling disoriented
  • Feeling paranoid
  • Suicidal thoughts or actions
  • Seizures
  • Trouble breathing

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use carisoprodol?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take carisoprodol.

  • Carisoprodol
  • Soma
  • Any medicine known as a carbamate, such as meprobamate 
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific carisoprodol products they stock.

Acute Hepatic Porphyria. People with acute hepatic porphyria, a disorder that can affect your liver, should not take carisoprodol. 

What should I know about carisoprodol before using it?

Do not take carisoprodol unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share carisoprodol with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep carisoprodol out of the reach of children. Carisoprodol is a controlled substance because it can be misused or lead to dependence. Store carisoprodol in a safe place to protect it from theft. It is illegal to sell or give away this medicine.

Carisoprodol is usually prescribed for short-term treatment, up to two or three weeks. Short-term use helps reduce the risk of dependence and/or withdrawal. If you regularly take this medicine, do not stop taking carisoprodol without talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping too quickly may cause serious side effects. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Vomiting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Headache
  • Tremors
  • Trouble with balance or coordination
  • Seeing or hearing things that others do not see or hear, also called hallucinations

Carisoprodol can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how carisoprodol affects you.

Certain genes may alter the blood levels of carisoprodol. If there is a concern about this, your healthcare provider may do tests to determine how your genes could affect carisoprodol levels. 

People who are 65 years and older can be at greater risk for some side effects of carisoprodol. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using carisoprodol?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if carisoprodol is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • Kidney problems
  • Liver problems
  • Substance use disorder
  • Alcohol use disorder

Other Medicines and Supplements. Carisoprodol may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking carisoprodol, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how carisoprodol could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take carisoprodol while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. 

Breastfeeding. Carisoprodol passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take carisoprodol while breastfeeding. If you breastfeed while taking carisoprodol, monitor your baby for drowsiness. 

Interactions

Does carisoprodol interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between carisoprodol and foods or drinks.

Do not drink alcohol while taking carisoprodol. The risk of drowsiness and dizziness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking carisoprodol.

Does carisoprodol interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking carisoprodol.

  • Omeprazole (Prilosec), which is a medicine commonly used for acid reflux
  • Fluvoxamine (Luvox), which is a medicine commonly used for anxiety and depression
  • Meprobamate, which is a medicine commonly used for anxiety
  • Rifampin, which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis 
  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used to treat depression 
  • Aspirin, which is in many prescription and OTC products including those for pain, swelling, and fever 
  • A benzodiazepine, such as clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium and others), or lorazepam (Ativan and others), which is a medicine used for anxiety, muscle spasms, or seizures 
  • An opioid, such as oxycodone, morphine, codeine, or fentanyl, which is a medicine used for certain types of pain 
  • A tricyclic antidepressant, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, or protriptyline, even if it is not used for depression 
  • Any other medicine that causes dizziness and sleepiness, such as prescription pain medicines, sleep medicines, allergy medicines, and medicines for anxiety

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of carisoprodol. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with carisoprodol. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much carisoprodol?

If you or someone else has taken too much carisoprodol, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of carisoprodol?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.