Buy Carisoprodol Online

Precautions and Warnings With Carisoprodol

Norman Dett — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:24:30 +0000

There are several precautions and warnings with carisoprodol. Before starting treatment, it’s important to be aware of the side effects and drug interactions that may occur with this medication. To help minimize risks, you should also tell your healthcare provider about all other existing medical conditions you have and any other medications you are currently taking.

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Carisoprodol?

Prior to taking carisoprodol (Soma^®), you should talk with your healthcare provider if you have:

A history of drug or alcohol abuse
Seizures or epilepsy
Liver disease, such as liver failure, cirrhosis, or hepatitis
Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure)
Acute intermittent porphyria
Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.

Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:

Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
Breastfeeding.

Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Specific Warnings and Precautions for Carisoprodol

Some warnings and precautions to be aware of prior to taking carisoprodol include the following:

Even though carisoprodol is not a controlled substance, the body metabolizes it into meprobamate, a different medication that is a controlled substance. As a result, carisoprodol may be abused, especially by people with a tendency toward alcohol or drug abuse (see Soma Abuse).
Seizures have been reported in people who have taken carisoprodol, usually in combination with other medications.
The liver and kidneys help remove carisoprodol from the body. If you have liver or kidney disease, your healthcare provider may need to monitor your response to carisoprodol more closely.
Carisoprodol commonly causes drowsiness and dizziness, which may interfere with your ability to drive, operate heavy machinery, or focus mentally.
Carisoprodol can potentially interact with many other medications (see Drug Interactions With Carisoprodol).
Carisoprodol is considered a pregnancy Category C medication. This means that it may not be safe for use during pregnancy, although the full risks are not currently known (see Soma and Pregnancy).
Carisoprodol passes through breast milk in humans. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start breastfeeding, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to taking the drug (see Soma and Breastfeeding).

Final Thoughts on Carisoprodol Warnings and Precautions

There are a number of situations in which carisoprodol should not be taken, along with several precautions and warnings people should be aware of before taking the medication. However, it is possible that not all of the warnings or precautions with carisoprodol were discussed in this article. Therefore, you should talk with your healthcare provider about the specific warnings and precautions that may apply to you.

Source: http://pain.emedtv.com/carisoprodol/precautions-and-warnings-with-carisoprodol-p2.html

Drug Interactions With Carisoprodol

Norman Dett — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 03:30:44 +0000

Numerous medications could cause drug interactions with carisoprodol, including narcotics, carbamazepine, sleep medicines, and certain antidepressants. Some interactions can increase your risk of side effects (such as drowsiness, memory loss, or difficulty breathing), while others may affect the process in which the liver metabolizes carisoprodol into meprobamate. To help prevent carisoprodol interactions, tell your healthcare provider about all other drugs you are taking.

An Overview of Carisoprodol Interactions

Carisoprodol (Soma^®) can potentially interact with several other medications. Some of these medicines that may lead to carisoprodol drug interactions include:

Alcohol
Armodafinil (Nuvigil™)
Barbiturates
Benzodiazepines
Certain antibiotics or antifungal medications
Delavirdine (Rescriptor^®)
Gemfibrozil (Lopid^®)
Modafinil (Provigil^®)

Carisoprodol Interactions Explained

The following sections explain in detail the potentially negative interactions that can occur when carisoprodol is combined with any of the drugs listed above.

Alcohol

Combining alcohol with carisoprodol can increase your risk of side effects, such as drowsiness, confusion, memory loss, or difficulty breathing. Serious side effects may occur. It is best to avoid alcohol while taking carisoprodol.

Armodafinil (Nuvigil)

The liver metabolizes carisoprodol into meprobamate, a different drug with anti-anxiety properties. Armodafinil inhibits this process, increasing the level of carisoprodol and decreasing the level of meprobamate in the blood. It is not known how this interaction might change the effectiveness or side effects of carisoprodol.

Barbiturates

Taking a barbiturate with carisoprodol can increase your risk of side effects, such as drowsiness, confusion, memory loss, or difficulty breathing. Serious side effects may occur. Make sure to talk to your healthcare provider before taking carisoprodol with a barbiturate.

Benzodiazepines

Combining carisoprodol with a benzodiazepine can increase your risk of side effects, such as drowsiness, confusion, memory loss, or difficulty breathing. Serious side effects may occur. Make sure to talk to your healthcare provider before taking carisoprodol with a benzodiazepine.

Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol)

The liver metabolizes carisoprodol into meprobamate, a different drug with anti-anxiety properties. Carbamazepine increases this process, decreasing the level of carisoprodol and increasing the level of meprobamate in the blood. It is not known how this interaction might change the effectiveness or side effects of carisoprodol.

Final Thoughts on Carisoprodol Interactions

It is possible that not all carisoprodol drug interactions were discussed in this article. Therefore, you should talk with your pharmacist or healthcare provider about any specific drug interactions with carisoprodol that may apply to you.

Source: http://pain.emedtv.com/carisoprodol/drug-interactions-with-carisoprodol-p4.html

What Is Carisoprodol Used For?

Norman Dett — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:42:14 +0000

Carisoprodol is used for treating muscle spasms caused by injury or other muscle problems. It is a prescription muscle relaxant intended to be used for a maximum of two or three weeks at a time. Occasionally, it can also be used “off-label” to help relieve fibromyalgia pain. Carisoprodol uses are only approved for adults and children age 16 and over.

An Overview of Carisoprodol Uses

Carisoprodol (Soma^®) is a prescription medication classified as a muscle relaxant. As a muscle relaxant, carisoprodol can help relieve the discomfort caused by muscle spasms.

A muscle spasm is an uncontrollable contraction of a muscle. Muscle spasms can cause pain, tenderness, and stiffness. Sometimes muscles spasms in the neck can cause headaches. Muscle spasms are a frequent cause of back pain.

Most often, muscle spasms are caused by injury, overuse, or similar problems (like sleeping in a strange position). Carisoprodol usually works well for these types of muscle spasms. It is intended to be used generally for a maximum of two to three weeks at a time. This should be enough time to allow any muscle injury or damage to heal. If you feel that the problem has not improved after two or three weeks, check with your healthcare provider. You may have an ongoing problem that needs to be treated differently.

Even though carisoprodol is not a controlled substance, it has significant potential to be abused (see Soma Abuse). If you have problems with alcohol or drug abuse, carisoprodol may not be a good choice for you. A different muscle relaxant with less abuse potential would be more appropriate.

How Does Carisoprodol Work?

It is not known exactly how carisoprodol works to relieve muscle spasms. However, it is known that it works mostly in the brain stem and spinal cord and not directly on the muscles. Also, the liver metabolizes carisoprodol into meprobamate, a barbiturate medication with anti-anxiety and sedative properties. It is thought that it is this metabolite that contributes to the abuse potential of carisoprodol. Interestingly, although meprobamate is a controlled substance in the United States, carisoprodol is not categorized as a controlled substance.

Carisoprodol Use in Children

Carisoprodol is not approved to treat muscle spasms in children younger than 16 years old, as it has not been thoroughly studied in younger children. Talk with your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using carisoprodol in children.

Off-Label Carisoprodol Uses

On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend carisoprodol for something other than the conditions discussed in this article. In some cases, carisoprodol is used off-label to help relieve fibromyalgia pain.

Source: http://pain.emedtv.com/carisoprodol/what-is-carisoprodol-used-for-p2.html

Side Effects of Carisoprodol

Norman Dett — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:43:02 +0000

Fainting, seizures, and a rapid heart rate are potentially serious side effects of carisoprodol that require medical attention. However, most side effects of the medication are mild and either do not require treatment or can be treated easily. Some of these more common carisoprodol side effects include dizziness, headaches, and drowsiness.

An Introduction to Carisoprodol Side Effects

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with carisoprodol (Soma^®). However, not everyone who takes the medication will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.

Side Effects of Carisoprodol to Report

There are a number of possible side effects with carisoprodol that you should report to your healthcare provider. These include, but are not limited to:

Seizures
Fainting
A rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
Depression
Feeling a need to take carisoprodol more often than prescribed or when a medical problem no longer exists (see Soma Abuse)
Signs of an allergic reaction, including unexplained rash, hives, itching, unexplained swelling, wheezing, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Common Side Effects Seen With Carisoprodol

Carisoprodol has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials. In these studies, the side effects that occur in a group of people taking the drug are documented and are then compared to side effects that occur in another group of people not taking the medicine. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.

In these studies, the most common carisoprodol side effects included:

Drowsiness — in up to 17 percent of people
Dizziness — up to 8 percent
Headaches — up to 5 percent.

Final Thoughts on Carisoprodol Side Effects

It is possible that you may experience some or none of the carisoprodol side effects listed in this article. Unfortunately, there is no way for your healthcare provider to know beforehand if you will have side effects from a medicine that you have never tried. Therefore, make sure to let your healthcare provider know if you develop any side effects while taking carisoprodol or if something “just does not seem right.” While it may not be a side effect of carisoprodol, your healthcare provider will be able to diagnose and treat the problem.

Source: http://pain.emedtv.com/carisoprodol/side-effects-of-carisoprodol-p2.html

Carisoprodol Dosage

Norman Dett — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:54:55 +0000

The usual starting dosage of carisoprodol is one 250 mg or 350 mg tablet three times a day and at bedtime. If you experience significant drowsiness while taking the drug, you may need to only take it at night. It is important to follow carisoprodol dosing guidelines carefully, as the medication is only intended to be used for a maximum of two or three weeks.

An Introduction to Carisoprodol Dosing

There is only one standard way to dose carisoprodol (Soma^®), regardless of your age or weight. As is always the case, do not adjust your dosage unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.

Recommended Carisoprodol Dosage

The recommended starting dosage of carisoprodol is one tablet (of either strength, 250 mg or 350 mg) three times a day and at bedtime. Carisoprodol is intended to be used for a maximum of two to three weeks at a time. This should be enough time to allow any muscle injury or damage to heal. If you feel that the problem has not improved after two or three weeks, check with your healthcare provider. You may have an ongoing problem that needs to be treated differently.

General Information on Dosing With Carisoprodol

Some considerations for people taking carisoprodol include the following:

Carisoprodol comes in tablet form. It is usually taken by mouth three times daily and at bedtime.
You can take it with food or on an empty stomach. If it bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
In general, the medication should only be used for a maximum of two to three weeks at a time.
It can cause significant drowsiness, and your healthcare provider may recommend that you take it only at night, especially if you need to be alert during the day.
For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. It will not work if you stop taking it.
If you are unsure about anything related to your dosage or carisoprodol dosing in general, please talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Source: http://pain.emedtv.com/carisoprodol/carisoprodol-dosage.html

When and How to Take Carisoprodol

Norman Dett — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:45:26 +0000

Some general considerations for when and how to take carisoprodol include the following:

Carisoprodol comes in tablet form. It is usually taken by mouth three times daily and at bedtime.
You can take the medication with food or on an empty stomach. If it bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
In general, it should only be used for a maximum of two to three weeks at a time.
The muscle relaxant can cause significant drowsiness, so your healthcare provider may recommend that you take it only at night (especially if you need to be alert during the day).
For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. It will not work if you stop taking it.

Dosing Information

There is only one standard way to dose carisoprodol, regardless of your age or weight. As is always the case, do not adjust your dosage unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.

Drug Interactions

Carisoprodol can potentially interact with a number of other medications (see Drug Interactions With Carisoprodol).

What If I Take an Overdose?

People who take too much carisoprodol may have overdose symptoms that include, but are not limited to:

Loss of life
Coma
Slow and shallow breathing
Low blood pressure (hypotension).

If you happen to overdose, seek medical attention immediately.

Source: http://pain.emedtv.com/carisoprodol/carisoprodol-p3.html

What Is Carisoprodol?

Norman Dett — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:14:39 +0000

Carisoprodol is a type of muscle relaxant used to relieve discomfort caused by muscle spasms. The liver metabolizes this drug into meprobamate (a barbiturate with anti-anxiety and sedative properties) to help treat muscle spasms due to injury or other muscle problems. Carisoprodol tablets, which are generally taken three times daily and at bedtime, should not be used for longer than two or three weeks.

What Is Carisoprodol?

Carisoprodol (Soma^®) is a prescription muscle relaxant. It is meant to be used temporarily (up to two or three weeks) to treat muscle spasms due to injury or other muscle problems. Even though carisoprodol is not a controlled substance, it has the potential to be abused (see Soma Abuse) and should be used cautiously in people with a tendency toward alcohol or drug abuse.

Side Effects of Carisoprodol

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with carisoprodol. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.

Some of the most common side effects include, but are not limited to:

Drowsiness
Dizziness
Headache.

How Does It Work?

It is not known exactly how carisoprodol works to relieve muscle spasms. However, it is known that it works mostly in the brain stem and spinal cord and not directly on the muscles. Also, the liver metabolizes the drug into meprobamate, a barbiturate medication with anti-anxiety and sedative properties. It is thought that it is this metabolite that contributes to the abuse potential of carisoprodol. Interestingly, although meprobamate is a controlled substance in the United States, carisoprodol is not categorized as a controlled substance.

Source: http://pain.emedtv.com/carisoprodol/carisoprodol-p2.html

Potential for abuse and dependence

Jen Sarr — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:46:09 +0000

Case reports have established carisoprodol as a drug of abuse, but no systematic studies have been published about the extent of abuse.

It is suggested that abuse and dependence potential of carisoprodol are due to carisoprodol’s metabolite meprobamate (federally controlled substance) 6 Carisoprodol undergoes hepatic biotransformation to three primary metabolites: hydroxycarisoprodol, hydroxymeprobamate, and meprobamate. The significant serum levels of meprobamate after chronic use of carisoprodol may lead to meprobarnate dependency. Withdrawal from meprobamate may result in severe reactions including seizures and coma.

One study evaluated abuse risk in patients taking carisoprodol. This study enrolled 40 patients taking carisoprodol for more than 3 months. It assessed the potential for abuse using an unvalidated six-item questionnaire and found that 20% of patients with no history of substance abuse and 65% with a history of substance abuse responded yes to one or more questions, which the authors suggested indicated a tendency towards possible abuse.

http://www.emedexpert.com/facts/carisoprodol-facts.shtml

Mode of action

Jen Sarr — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:43:32 +0000

Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant that does not directly relax tense skeletal muscles in man. Although not well understood, the mechanism of action of carisoprodol in humans may be related to its sedative properties, either directly or indirectly, via the effects of meprobamate.

In animals, carisoprodol produces muscle relaxation by blocking interneuronal activity in the descending reticular formation and spinal cord. However, it is unknown if this mechanism of action is also present in humans 1. Carisoprodol’s primary metabolite, meprobamate, has barbiturate like modulatory effects on GABA-A receptors . However, it is unclear whether the GABA-A receptor-like effects are from carisoprodol itself or its metabolite meprobamate.

The pharmacological effects of carisoprodol appear to be due to the combination of the effects of carisoprodol and meprobamate. In addition to the desired skeletal muscle-relaxing effects, carisoprodol also produces weak anticholinergic, antipyretic, and analgesic effects. High doses of carisoprodol may induce symptoms that are similar to the symptoms associated with serotonin syndrome .

Muscle relaxant action. It produces muscle relaxation by affecting the central nervous system. It is possible that carisoprodol induced muscle relaxation results from a slight depression of all neurons at synaptic junctions within the central nervous system. It is noteworthy that this agent has a marked depressant effect on hyperactive spinal reflexes in doses that do not affect normal reflexes.

Analgesic action. The pain-relieving properties of carisoprodol are distinctive and in certain respects are different from the actions of either the opium alkaloids, or the antipyretic-analgesics such as aspirin and paracetamol. The analgesic action of any drug may be due to its effect on:

peripheral pain receptors
the sensory pain pathways and their synapses
the centers concerned with pain receptors or sensory pain pathways and that it probably acts upon centers concerned with pain perception.

http://www.emedexpert.com/facts/carisoprodol-facts.shtml

Carisoprodol “pros” and “cons”

Jen Sarr — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:39:55 +0000

Advantages:

potent muscle relaxant
relatively inexpensive

Disadvantages:

potential for drug abuse and dependence
potential for withdrawal syndrome
may impair the mental and physical abilities required for the performance of potentially hazardous tasks such as driving