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carisoprodol
carisoprodol
What is the most important information I should know about carisoprodol?
What is the most important information I should know about carisoprodol?
You should not take this medicine if you have porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system).
Carisoprodol may be habit-forming. Never share this medicine with another person. Misuse can cause addiction, overdose, or death.
What is carisoprodol?
What is carisoprodol?
Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxer that blocks pain sensations between the nerves and the brain.
Carisoprodol is used together with rest and physical therapy to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain or injury.
Carisoprodol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking carisoprodol?
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking carisoprodol?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to carisoprodol or meprobamate, or if you have:
- porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system).
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- liver disease;
- kidney disease; or
- a seizure.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
Carisoprodol can pass into breast milk and may cause drowsiness in a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
Carisoprodol is not approved for use by anyone younger than 16 years old.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine.
How should I take carisoprodol?
How should I take carisoprodol?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Carisoprodol may be habit-forming. Misuse can cause addiction, overdose, or death. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.
Carisoprodol is usually taken 3 times per day and at bedtime. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.
Carisoprodol should be taken only 2 or 3 weeks. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.
Do not stop using carisoprodol suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.
Carisoprodol is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include rest, physical therapy, or other pain relief measures. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep track of your medicine. Carisoprodol is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using it improperly or without a prescription.
What happens if I miss a dose?
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of carisoprodol can be fatal, especially if you take this medicine with alcohol or with other drugs that can slow your breathing.
Overdose symptoms may include vision problems, confusion, hallucinations, muscle stiffness, loss of coordination, weak or shallow breathing, fainting, seizure, or coma.
What should I avoid while taking carisoprodol?
What should I avoid while taking carisoprodol?
Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.
What are the possible side effects of carisoprodol?
What are the possible side effects of carisoprodol?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using carisoprodol and call your doctor at once if you have:
- a seizure (convulsions); or
- high levels of serotonin in the body --agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
Common side effects may include:
- drowsiness;
- dizziness; or
- headache.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect carisoprodol?
What other drugs will affect carisoprodol?
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.
Using carisoprodol with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.
Many drugs can affect carisoprodol. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information?
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about carisoprodol.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
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