Yury Bayarski asked:




Carisoprodol (also known under the brand name Soma) is a commonly prescribed muscle relaxant. It is chemically, structurally, and pharmacologically related to meprobamate. Meprobamate was a best-selling minor tranquilizer for a time, but has largely been replaced by the benzodiazepines.

Uses

Strains, sprains, and other muscle injuries can result in pain, stiffness, and muscle spasms. It is important to understand that muscle relaxants do not heal the injuries, but they do help to ease the discomfort and pain. Carisoprodol is prescribed along with rest, exercise, physical therapy, or other treatments for short-term relief of painful muscle conditions. Although the drug may provide prompt relief, it should never be considered a substitute for these other forms of treatment.

Carisoprodol works quite well for relieving muscle pain due to injuries, but is not effective for other types of pain.

Side effects

The most common side effects of carisoprodol are drowsiness, dizziness, agitation, nervousness, tremor, irritability, insomnia and nausea.

Because muscle relaxants work on the central nervous system, they may add to the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down the central nervous system, such as antihistamines, cold and allergy medicine, sleeping pills, medicine for seizures, some pain relievers, and other muscle relaxants.

How does it work?

Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant that does not directly relax tense skeletal muscles. It acts by blocking electrical communication among nerves in the reticular formation of the brain and in the spinal cord. The pharmacological effects of the drug appear to be due to the combination of the effects of carisoprodol and meprobamate. The medication also has weak anticholinergic, antipyretic, and analgesic properties.

The drawback

The main disadvantage is its abuse and dependence potential. And the risk increases with prolonged use of the drug. A considerable portion of carisoprodol is metabolized to meprobamate, which is a known drug of abuse and dependence. However, a many physicians are unaware of the potential of carisprodol for abuse and of its metabolism to meprobamate.

Carisoprodol is a Schedule IV controlled substance in Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, but not a federally Schedule IV controlled substance. In the United States, the drug is available only with a physician’s prescription.

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