WHAT TO KNOW
Use caution when driving, operating machinery,
or performing other hazardous activities. soma
/ 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 soma / carisoprodol. Also, in combination
with aspirin, alcohol can be very damaging to
your stomach. Watch for bloody, black, or tarry
stools or blood in your vomit. This could mean
damage to your stomach. Never take more of this
med than is prescribed for you. If your pain
is not being adequately treated, talk to your
doctor.
WHAT IS IT
Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant. It works by
blocking nerve impulses (or pain sensations)
that are sent to your brain. Soma / carisoprodol
may also be used for purposes other than those
listed in this med guide.
HOW TO TAKE
THIS MEDICATION
Take soma / carisoprodol exactly as directed by
your doctor. If you do not understand these directions,
ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain
them to you. Take each dose with a full glass of
water. The maximum amount of soma / carisoprodol
you should take in one day is 1600 mg of carisoprodol,
2600 mg of aspirin. Store soma / carisoprodol at
room temperature away from moisture and heat.
MISSED DOSE
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for your next dose, skip
the missed dose and take only your next regularly
scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of
soma / carisoprodol. Keep your doses at least
4 hours apart from one another.
OVER DOSE
Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of an
aspirin soma / carisoprodol overdose include:
headache
ringing in the ears
dim vision
small pupils
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
sweating
increased thirst
low blood pressure (weakness,
fainting, confusion)
decreased breathing
unconsciousness.
SIDE EFFECTS
If you experience any of the following serious
side effects, stop taking soma / carisoprodol
and seek emergency medical attention:
an allergic reaction (difficulty
breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of
your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
paralysis (loss of feeling)
or extreme weakness
vision loss
agitation or tremor
red, black, or bloody stools
blood in your vomit
other, less serious side effects
may be more likely to occur
Continue to take soma / carisoprodol and talk
to your doctor if you experience:
drowsiness or dizziness
headache
depression
blurred vision or small pupils
insomnia;
hiccups
faint ringing in the ears
nausea, vomiting, or constipation
Side effects other than those listed here may
also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side
effect that seems unusual or that is especially
bothersome.
PRECAUTIONS
Do not take soma / carisoprodol if you have acute
intermittent porphyria. Codeine is habit forming
and should only be used under close supervision
if you have an alcohol or drug addiction.
Before taking this med, tell your doctor if you
have:
kidney disease
liver disease
an ulcer in your stomach or intestines
a bleeding or blood-clotting
disorder
urinary retention
an enlarged prostate
hypothyroidism
a head injury
addison's disease
You may not be able to take soma / carisoprodol,
or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring
during treatment if you have any of the conditions
listed above. It is not known whether soma /
carisoprodol will harm an unborn baby. Do not
take soma / carisoprodol without first talking
to your doctor if you are pregnant. It is also
not known whether soma / carisoprodol passes
into breast milk. Do not take soma / carisoprodol
without first talking to your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby.
soma / carisoprodol is not approved
for use in children younger than 12 years of
age.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Many drugs can increase the effects of soma / carisoprodol
and lead to heavy sedation. Before taking this
med, tell your doctor if you are taking any of
the following medicines:
antihistamines such as brompheniramine
(Dimetane, Bromfed, others)
chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton
Teldrin, others)
azatadine (Optimine)
clemastine (Tavist)
narcotics (pain killers) such
as meperidine (Demerol)
morphine (MS Contin, MSIR, others)
propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet)
hydrocodone (Lorcet, Vicodin)
oxycodone (Percocet, Percodan)
fentanyl (Duragesic)
codeine (Fiorinal, Fioricet,
Tylenol #3, others)
sedatives such as phenobarbital
(Solfoton, Luminal), amobarbital (Amytal)
secobarbital (Seconal)
phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine
(Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin)
mesoridazine (Serentil)
perphenazine (Trilafon)
prochlorperazine (Compazine)
thioridazine (Mellaril), and
trifluoperazine (Stelazine)
antidepressants such as doxepin
(Sinequan)
imipramine (Tofranil)
nortriptyline (Pamelor)
fluoxetine (Prozac)
paroxetine (Paxil)
sertraline (Zoloft)
phenelzine (Nardil)
tranylcypromine (Parnate).
Other over-the-counter and prescription drugs
may increase the effects of aspirin and cause
dangerous side effects:
oral anticoagulants such as
warfarin (Coumadin)
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Rufen,
others)
ketoprofen (Orudis, Oruvail)
naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn,
Aleve)
other commonly used NSAIDs, including
diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), etodolac (Lodine),
fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin
(Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen),
oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac
(Clinoril), and tolmetin (Tolectin)
other salicylates (forms of aspirin)
such as salsalate (Disalcid), choline salicylate,
and magnesium salicylate
bismuth subsalicylate in drugs
such as Pepto-Bismol; and calcium supplements
and antacids.
other drugs that should not be
combined with aspirin and carisoprodol include
steroids such as prednisone (Deltasone)
oral antidiabetic drugs such
as glipizide (Glucotrol) and glyburide (Micronase,
Diabeta)
alcohol
lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith,
others)
cyclosporine (Sandimmune)
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact
with soma / carisoprodol. Talk to your doctor
and pharmacist before taking any prescription
or over-the-counter medicines.
