carisoprodol (Soma, Rela)

Introduction

Tradenames: Soma, Rela. DEA: schedule 4

Indications

• adjunctive therapy for musculoskeletal pain
• muscle spasm

Dosage

350 mg PO TID/QID

Tabs: 350 mg.

Pharmacokinetics

• rapid onset of action
• effects last 4 hours
• metabolized in liver; metabolites excreted by kidney
• no drug withdrawal upon cessation

elimination via liver

Adverse effects

• CNS
  • drowsiness
  • dizziness
  • vertigo
  • ataxia
  • tremor
  • agitation
  • irritability
  • headache
  • depressive reactions
  • syncope
  • insomnia
• cardiovascular
  • tachycardia
  • postural hypotension
  • facial flushing
• gastrointestinal
  • nausea/vomiting
  • hiccups
  • epigastric distress
• hematologic
  • leukopenia has been reported (confounding factors)
  • no serious blood dyscrasias attributable to Soma
• allergic or idiosyncratic reaction
  • generally seen within the period of the 1st-4th dose
  • skin rash
  • erythema multiforme
  • pruritus
  • eosinophilia
  • fixed drug eruption
  • asthmatic episodes
  • angioneurotic edema
  • anaphylactoid shock
• withdrawal symptoms may occur with abrupt discontinuation
  • myalgias, sweating, palpitations, sadness, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia
  • taper over 4-9 days

• drug adverse effects of psychotropic agents
• drug adverse effects of sedatives

Mechanism of action

• blocks interneuronal activity in the descending reticular tract & spinal cord (in animals)
• sedative

More general terms

• skeletal muscle relaxant (tranquilizer)
• sedative/hypnotic (tranquilizer)

Component of

• aspirin/carisoprodol (Soma Compound)
• aspirin/carisoprodol/codeine (Soma Compound with Codeine)

Database

• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=2576