Carisoprodol is used for:

Treating discomfort associated with certain painful muscle conditions. It is usually used along with rest and physical therapy.

Carisoprodol is a skeletal muscle relaxant. It works in the brain and spinal cord to relax the muscles. It also causes drowsiness.

Do NOT use Carisoprodol if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Carisoprodol or to similar medicines (eg, meprobamate)
• you have the blood disorder porphyria
• you take sodium oxybate (GHB) or meprobamate

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Carisoprodol :

Some medical conditions may interact with Carisoprodol . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines or other substances
• if you have a history of kidney or liver problems, prostate problems, or seizures
• if you have a history of alcohol or other substance abuse or dependence

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Carisoprodol . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Benzodiazepines (eg, alprazolam), opioid analgesics (eg, hydrocodone), sodium oxybate (GHB), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because severe drowsiness and prolonged sleep may occur
• Fluvoxamine, meprobamate, or omeprazole because they may increase the risk of Carisoprodol 's side effects
• Rifampin or St. John's wort because they may decrease Carisoprodol 's effectiveness

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Carisoprodol may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Carisoprodol :

Use Carisoprodol as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Carisoprodol by mouth with or without food.
• If you miss a dose of Carisoprodol , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Carisoprodol .

Important safety information:

• Carisoprodol may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Carisoprodol with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using Carisoprodol .
• Check with your doctor before you use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Carisoprodol ; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• Carisoprodol may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Do not take more than the recommended dose or use Carisoprodol for longer than 2 to 3 weeks without checking with your doctor.
• Rarely, some patients have experienced an unexpected reaction within minutes or hours after taking Carisoprodol . Contact your doctor or seek medical care right away if you develop severe weakness, paralysis of the arms or legs, severe dizziness, loss of coordination, vision changes (eg, loss of vision, double vision), joint pain, or mental or mood changes (eg, agitation, confusion, disorientation).
• Use Carisoprodol with caution in Asian patients; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Use Carisoprodol with caution in ELDERLY patients older than 65 years old; safety and effectiveness in these patients have not been confirmed.
• Carisoprodol should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 16 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Carisoprodol while you are pregnant. Carisoprodol is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Carisoprodol , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Some people who use Carisoprodol for a long time may develop a need to continue taking it. People who take high doses are also at risk. This is known as DEPENDENCE or addiction. If you stop taking Carisoprodol suddenly, you may have WITHDRAWAL symptoms. These may include stomach cramps, trouble sleeping, headache, nausea, or seizures.

Possible side effects of Carisoprodol :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness; drowsiness; headache.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; hoarseness); fainting; fast heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; loss of coordination; mood or mental changes (eg, agitation, depression, irritability); seizures; severe or persistent dizziness; severe or persistent trouble sleeping; tremors.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur.