SOMA DRUG INFO

IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.

CARISOPRODOL - ORAL (kar-iss-oh-PRO-dole)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Soma

USES: This medication relaxes muscles and relieves pain and discomfort associated with strains, sprains, spasms or other muscle injuries. Muscle relaxers are for specific muscle injury and pain and should not be used for general body aches and pains.

HOW TO USE: This medication may be taken with food or immediately after meals to prevent stomach upset. Take this as directed. Do not increase your dose or take it more often than prescribed. This medication provides temporary relief and must be used in addition to rest, physical therapy and other measures. Because this medication makes an injury temporarily feel better, do not attempt to lift or exercise too soon. Follow your doctor's instructions for recovery.

SIDE EFFECTS: This medication may cause stomach upset, heartburn, headache, dizziness or drowsiness. If these symptoms persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Inform your doctor promptly if you develop: persistent stomach pain, rapid heart rate. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS:
Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: any liver or kidney disease, blood disorders, porphyria, asthma, any allergies. When rising quickly from a sitting or lying position, dizziness or lightheadedness may occur. Change positions slowly. Use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness (such as driving) if this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy. Limit alcohol intake while taking this medication. This drug should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Carisoprodol is excreted into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all over-the-counter and prescription medication you may take including: sedatives, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, narcotic pain relievers, medication for depression and certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine). Many cough-and-cold products contain antihistamines, which can cause drowsiness. Check labels carefully and consult your pharmacist if you have any questions. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include unusual dizziness or drowsiness, fainting, nausea, vomiting, facial flushing, fast heartbeat, and loss of consciousness.

NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as remembered if it is within an hour or so. If you do not remember until later, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom.

Carisoprodol

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Carisoprodol
Systematic (IUPAC) name
[2-methyl-2-(1-methylethylcarbamoyloxymethyl) pentyl]aminomethanoate
Identifiers
CAS number	78-44-4
ATC code	M03BA02
PubChem	2576
DrugBank	APRD00417
Chemical data
Formula	C12H24N2O4
Mol. mass	260.33 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	?
Protein binding	60%
Metabolism	Hepatic (CYP2C19-mediated)
Half life	8 hours
Excretion	Renal
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	?
Legal status	℞-only(US) Scheduled in some U.S. states
Routes	Oral

Carisoprodol is a skeletal muscle relaxant whose active metabolite is meprobamate. Although several case reports have shown that carisoprodol has abuse potential^{[citation needed]}, it continues to be widely prescribed (except in the United Kingdom where use of benzodiazepines is preferred). Carisoprodol is a colorless, crystalline powder, having a mild, characteristic odor and a bitter taste. It is slightly soluble in water and freely soluble in alcohol, chloroform and acetone. Its solubility is practically independent of pH. It is marketed in the United States under the brand name Soma, and in the United Kingdom and other countries under the brand name Carisoma.

Contents [hide] 1 History 2 Chemistry 3 Effects 4 Side effects 5 Pharmacokinetics 6 Notes 7 References 8 External links

History

Meprobamate and other muscle relaxing drugs often were subjects of misuse and abuse in the 1950s and 1960s.^[1][2] Overdose cases were reported as early as 1957 and have been reported on several occasions since then.^{[3][4][5][6][7][8][9]}

On June 1, 1959 several American pharmacologists convened at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan to discuss a new drug. The drug, originally thought to have antiseptic properties, was found to have central muscle relaxing properties.^[10] It had been developed by Dr. Frank M. Berger at Wallace laboratories and had been named carisoprodol (trade name Soma).

Carisoprodol was developed on the basis of meprobamate, in the hope that it would have better muscle relaxing properties, less potential for abuse, and less risk of overdose than meprobamate.^[11] The substitution of one hydrogen atom with an isopropyl group on one of the carbamyl nitrogens was intended to yield a molecule with new pharmacological properties.

Chemistry

It is a carbamic acid ester. Carisoprodol is a racemic mixture of two stereoisomers.

Effects

• Analgesia
• Relief from hypertonia

Side effects

These are somewhat rare when used at normal doses.

• Somnolence
• Ataxia

Pharmacokinetics

Carisoprodol has a rapid, 30 minute onset of action, with the aforementioned effects lasting for approximately 2–6 hours. It is metabolized in the liver via the cytochrome P450 oxidase isozyme CYP2C19, excreted by the kidneys and has an approximate 8 hour half-life. A considerable proportion of carisoprodol is metabolized to meprobamate, which is a known drug of abuse and dependence; this could account for the abuse potential of carisoprodol.

Notes

1. ^ Kamin I, Shaskan D. (1959). "Death due to massive overdose of meprobamate". Am J Psychiatry 115 (12): 1123-1124. 
2. ^ Hollister LE (1983). "The pre-benzodiazepine era". J Psychoactive Drugs 15 (1-2): 9-13. 
3. ^ Gaillard Y, Billault F, Pepin G (1997). "Meprobamate overdosage: a continuing problem. Sensitive GC-MS quantitation after solid phase extraction in 19 fatal cases". Forensic Sci.Int 86 (3): 173-180. 
4. ^ Allen MD, Greenblatt DJ, Noel BJ (1977). "Meprobamate overdosage: a continuing problem". Clin Toxicol 11 (5): 501-515. 
5. ^ Kintz P, Tracqui A, Mangin P, Lugnier AA (1988). "Fatal meprobamate self-poisoning". Am J Forensic Med Pathol 9 (2): 139-140. 
6. ^ Eeckhout E, Huyghens L, Loef B, Maes V, Sennesael J (1988). "Meprobamate poisoning, hypotension and the Swan-Ganz catheter". Intensive Care Med 14 (4): 437-438. 
7. ^ Lhoste F, Lemaire F, Rapin M (1977). "Treatment of hypotension in meprobamate poisoning". N Engl J Med 296 (17): 1004. 
8. ^ Bedson H (1959). "Coma due to meprobamate intoxication. Report of a case confirmed by chemical analysis". Lancet 273 (1): 288-290. 
9. ^ Blumberg A, Rosett H, Dobrow A (1959). "Severe hypotension reactions following meprobamate overdosage". Ann Intern Med 51: 607-612. 
10. ^ Miller JG, ed. The pharmacology and clinical usefulness of carisoprodol. Detroit:Wayne State University; 1959.
11. ^ Berger F, Kletzkin M, Ludwig B, Margolin S. The history, chemistry, and pharmacology of carisoprodol. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1959;86:90-107

References

• APhA Drug Information Handbook

External links

• Drug information
• Carisoprodol (Soma) Facts