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Carisoprodol

Carisoprodol is a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant used to relieve discomfort from acute painful musculoskeletal conditions as an adjunct to rest and physical therapy. It has sedative properties and inhibits interneuronal activity in the spinal cord and descending reticular formation. Common side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting. Rare but potentially life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions have been reported. Dosage reductions may be needed in patients with hepatic or renal impairment.

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384 views2 pages

Carisoprodol

Carisoprodol is a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant used to relieve discomfort from acute painful musculoskeletal conditions as an adjunct to rest and physical therapy. It has sedative properties and inhibits interneuronal activity in the spinal cord and descending reticular formation. Common side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting. Rare but potentially life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions have been reported. Dosage reductions may be needed in patients with hepatic or renal impairment.

Uploaded by

api-3797941
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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carisoprodol

(isomeprobamate)
(kar eye soe proe' dol)
Soma

Pregnancy Category C

Drug class
Centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant

Therapeutic actions
Precise mechanism not known; chemically related to meprobamate, an anxiolytic; has
sedative properties; also found in animal studies to inhibit interneuronal activity in
descending reticular formation and spinal cord; does not directly relax tense skeletal
muscles.

Indications
• Relief of discomfort associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions as
an adjunct to rest, physical therapy, and other measures

Contraindications and cautions


• Contraindicated with allergic or idiosyncratic reactions to carisoprodol,
meprobamate (reported cross-reactions with meprobamate); acute intermittent
porphyria, suspected porphyria, lactation.
• Use cautiously with renal or hepatic impairment, pregnancy.

Available forms
Tablets—350 mg

Dosages
ADULTS
350 mg PO tid–qid; take last dose hs.
PEDIATRIC PATIENTS
Not recommended for children < 12 yr.
GERIATRIC PATIENTS OR PATIENTS WITH HEPATIC OR RENAL IMPAIRMENT
Dosage reduction may be necessary; monitor closely.

Pharmacokinetics
Route Onset Peak Duration
Oral 30 min 1–2 hr 4–6 hr
Metabolism: Hepatic; T1/2: 8 hr
Distribution: May cross placenta; enters breast milk
Excretion: Urine

Adverse effects
• CNS: Dizziness, drowsiness, vertigo, ataxia, tremor, agitation, irritability
• CV: Tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, facial flushing
• GI: Nausea, vomiting, hiccups, epigastric distress
• Hypersensitivity: Allergic or idiosyncratic reactions (seen with first to fourth
dose in patients new to drug)—rash, erythema multiforme, pruritus, eosinophilia,
fixed drug eruption; asthmatic episodes, fever, weakness, dizziness, angioneurotic
edema, smarting eyes, hypotension, anaphylactoid shock

Nursing considerations
Assessment
• History: Allergic or idiosyncratic reactions to carisoprodol, meprobamate; acute
intermittent porphyria, suspected porphyria; lactation
• Physical: T; skin color, lesions; orientation, affect; P, BP, orthostatic BP; bowel
sounds, liver evaluation; liver and kidney function tests, CBC

Interventions
• Reduce dose with liver dysfunction.
• Provide safety measures if CNS effects occur.

Teaching points
• Take this drug exactly as prescribed; do not take a higher dosage; take with food
if GI upset occurs.
• Avoid alcohol, sleep-inducing, or over-the-counter drugs; these could cause
dangerous effects; if you feel you need one of these preparations, consult your
health care provider.
• These side effects may occur: Drowsiness, dizziness, vertigo (avoid driving or
activities that require alertness); dizziness when you get up or climb stairs (avoid
sudden changes in position, use caution climbing stairs); nausea (take drug with
food; eat small, frequent meals); insomnia, headache, depression (transient
effects).
• Report rash, severe nausea, dizziness, insomnia, fever, difficulty breathing.

Adverse effects in Italic are most common; those in Bold are life-threatening.

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