Carisoprodol Drug Uses

Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant used to relieve the pain and stiffness of muscle spasms and discomfort due to strain and sprain.

Carisoprodol is a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant prescribed for the treatment of acute, musculoskeletal pain. Meprobamate is a major metabolite of carisoprodol, and is a CNS depressant in its own right, indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or for short-term treatment of anxiety symptoms. Use of these drugs begins with prescription for muscular pain or anxiety, and abuse develops for their sedative-hypnotic effects, resulting in increased dosage without medical advice, or continued use after pain or anxiety has subsided.

Carisoprodol is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and rapidly distributed throughout the CNS. Protein binding is approximately 60%. Carisoprodol is predominantly dealkylated to meprobamate in the liver, and to a lesser extent hydroxylated to hydroxycarisoprodol and hydroxymeprobamate, followed by conjugation and excretion. The half-life of carisoprodol is approximately 100 minutes. Some individuals have impaired metabolism of carisoprodol, and exhibit a half life of 2-3 times that in normal subjects. The half-life of meprobamate is many times longer, between 6 and 17 hours. As a result of the significantly longer half-life of meprobamate relative to carisoprodol, accumulation of meprobamate during chronic therapy may occur.

Potency, Purity and Dose: Carisoprodol is present as a racemic mixture. During treatment, the recommended dose of carisoprodol is for one 350 mg tablet taken three times daily and at bedtime (1400 mg/day). The usual dose for meprobamate is one 400 mg taken four times daily, or daily divided doses of up to 2400 mg. To control chronic pain, carisoprodol is often taken concurrently with other drugs, particularly opiates, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and other muscle relaxants.

More Carisoprodol Information

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Carisoprodol may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking Carisoprodol.

Disclaimer

This drug information is for your information purposes only, it is not intended that this information covers all uses, directions, drug interactions, precautions, or adverse effects of your medication. This is only general information, and should not be relied on for any purpose. It should not be construed as containing specific instructions for any particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information, and/or any consequences arising from the use of this information, including damage or adverse consequences to persons or property, however such damages or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is made in regards to this information.