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.
