This article describes possible side effects of carisoprodol oral tablet. You can explore this overview article to learn more about carisoprodol, including the drug’s uses, ways to save on cost, and more.
Carisoprodol oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Soma.
More common side effects of carisoprodol
Carisoprodol oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of carisoprodol oral tablet include:
Mild side effects of carisoprodol
Carisoprodol may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of carisoprodol oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- headache
- mild allergic reaction*†
Carisoprodol oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of carisoprodol in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with carisoprodol oral tablet. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Serious side effects of carisoprodol
Carisoprodol may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from carisoprodol oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with carisoprodol.
Serious side effects of carisoprodol oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
- sedation*
- misuse, dependence, and withdrawal*
- seizures†
- severe allergic reaction*‡
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of carisoprodol in detail” section below.
† This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of the drug. But it has occurred in people after the drug was approved for use.
‡ An allergic reaction is possible with carisoprodol oral tablet. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
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Get free cardCommon questions about side effects of carisoprodol
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of carisoprodol oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How do side effects of carisoprodol compare with those caused by tramadol?
Several side effects are similar between carisoprodol oral tablet and tramadol oral tablet.
Both drugs have a risk of misuse, dependence, and withdrawal.* Both can also cause drowsiness, dizziness, and headache. And both are controlled substances. A controlled substance is a drug the government regulates due to the risk of dependence or misuse.
Carisoprodol and tramadol can also both cause central nervous system (CNS) depression. Your CNS is made up of your brain and spinal cord. It coordinates activities throughout your body, including breathing.
With CNS depression, the activities controlled by your CNS are slowed down. This effect can be worse if you take more than one drug that affects the CNS. Other drugs that affect the CNS include alcohol, opioids, and some sleep medications. Severe CNS depression can lead to serious or life threatening side effects, including trouble breathing, extreme sleepiness, coma, and death.
If you’d like to know more about how side effects of carisoprodol compare with tramadol, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss risks and benefits with you, as well as other possible treatment options.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of carisoprodol in detail” section below.
Does carisoprodol cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in some cases, carisoprodol oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time or may last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.
Examples of long-term side effects reported with carisoprodol oral tablet include:
- misuse, dependence, and withdrawal*
- seizures†
Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of carisoprodol may last.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of carisoprodol in detail” section below.
† This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of the drug. But it has occurred in people after the drug was approved for use.
Are dependence or withdrawal possible side effects of carisoprodol?
Yes, dependence and withdrawal are possible side effects of carisoprodol. Misuse is also a possible side effect.
With dependence, your body needs the drug in order to function like usual. Withdrawal describes symptoms that can occur when you stop taking a drug your body is dependent on. And with misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed.
To learn more about these side effects, see the “Side effects of carisoprodol in detail” section below.
Side effects of carisoprodol in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of carisoprodol oral tablet.
Misuse, dependence, and withdrawal
Misuse, dependence, and withdrawal have been reported with carisoprodol oral tablet. In fact, carisoprodol is a controlled substance. A controlled substance is a drug the government regulates due to the risk of dependence or misuse.
These side effects may be serious. Here are some definitions for these terms:
- with misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed
- with dependence, your body needs the drug to function like usual
- withdrawal describes symptoms that can occur when you stop taking a drug your body is dependent on
Misuse of carisoprodol oral tablet can increase the risk of overdose. This can lead to serious side effects, such as seizures, trouble breathing, and death.
Carisoprodol is only recommended to be used short term, for up to 2–3 weeks. Withdrawal symptoms can occur after stopping carisoprodol abruptly after taking it long term. Symptoms can include:
- insomnia (trouble sleeping)
- vomiting and stomach cramps
- headache
- tremors or muscle twitching
- hallucinations
Certain factors can increase the risk of misuse, dependence, and withdrawal with carisoprodol oral tablet. These include a prior history of misusing medications, taking carisoprodol for a long period of time, or taking it with other drugs that may be misused.
Ways to manage
If you have concerns about misuse, dependence, or withdrawal with carisoprodol oral tablet, tell your doctor. Due to these risks, your doctor will consider whether you’re at risk for misuse before prescribing carisoprodol. They’ll also prescribe carisoprodol for the shortest time needed to treat your symptoms, usually no more than 3 weeks. And they’ll monitor you for signs and symptoms of misuse.
Store carisoprodol oral tablet in a secure place, preferably locked. Don’t share it with anyone else. And dispose of unused or expired carisoprodol properly.
If you still have significant muscle pain after taking carisoprodol for up to 3 weeks, talk with your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe a different treatment instead.
Sedation
In studies, sedation (feeling drowsy and less alert) was common in people taking carisoprodol oral tablet. This side effect may be serious. It may affect your ability to drive or do other activities that require concentration.
Symptoms of sedation can include:
- sleepiness
- dizziness
- slowed breathing
- blurred vision
- slowed reaction time
- trouble focusing or thinking
- slurred speech
Certain factors can increase the risk of sedation with carisoprodol oral tablet. These include taking carisoprodol with alcohol or other drugs that can cause central nervous system (CNS) depression, such as:
- opioids
- benzodiazepines
- tricyclic antidepressants
- some sleep medications
Your CNS is made up of your brain and spinal cord. It coordinates activities throughout your body, including breathing. Severe CNS depression can lead to serious or life threatening side effects, including trouble breathing, extreme sleepiness, coma, and death.
Ways to manage
If you have concerns about sedation, tell your doctor. Due to the risk of sedation, your doctor will likely not prescribe carisoprodol if you’re taking other CNS depressants. They’ll likely also recommend avoiding alcohol and avoiding driving or operating machinery if you take carisoprodol. Carisoprodol has been linked with motor vehicle accidents.
Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of sedation. Your doctor may consider prescribing a different medication for your condition.
Keep in mind, carisoprodol is only recommended to be used short term, for up to 2–3 weeks. Withdrawal symptoms can occur after stopping carisoprodol abruptly after taking it long term. To learn more about this side effect, see the “Misuse, dependence, and withdrawal” section above.
Allergic reaction
For some people, carisoprodol oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Symptoms can be mild or serious and may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to carisoprodol oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for carisoprodol
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking carisoprodol oral tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take carisoprodol oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether carisoprodol oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking carisoprodol oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
- whether you are age 65 years or older
- kidney problems
- liver problems
- whether you drink alcohol or take other medications that can cause sedation
- past history of drug misuse
- seizures
- pregnancy or breastfeeding
- porphyrias (rare inherited blood disorders)
- certain enzyme problems
- past allergic reaction to carisoprodol
Carisoprodol and pregnancy
It’s not known whether carisoprodol oral tablet should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Carisoprodol and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether carisoprodol oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. Carisoprodol passes into breast milk and may cause sedation in a breastfed infant.
If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Carisoprodol and alcohol
Carisoprodol oral tablet is known to interact with alcohol.
Taking carisoprodol oral tablet with alcohol may increase the risk of sedation* or other symptoms of central nervous system (CNS) depression. Severe CNS depression can lead to serious or life threatening side effects, including trouble breathing, extreme sleepiness, coma, and death. Taking multiple CNS depressants together can increase these risks.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with carisoprodol oral tablet.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of carisoprodol in detail” section above.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of carisoprodol oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Does my risk of side effects with carisoprodol oral tablet go up the longer I take it?
- Are there other medications with a lower risk of side effects that could be used to treat my condition?
- Do the other medications I take increase my risk of side effects with carisoprodol oral tablet?
- Does my risk of dependence and withdrawal depend on the dosage I take?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.