Side Effects of Carisoprodol

Carisoprodol, sold under the brand name SOMA, is a muscle relaxer that acts as a sedative to pain. Doctors prescribe carisoprodol for the relief of muscle pain caused due to muscular injuries, strains, or sprains. It is recommended for use only on a short-term basis.

Is carisoprodol harmful?

Carisoprodol is usually considered safe at low therapeutic doses, but at higher doses or mixed with other substances, it can be addictive and dangerous.

People often abuse carisoprodol with other medicines because the muscle relaxants work as an enhancer for opioids, alcohol, or additional sedatives and can impart a feeling of much stronger “high.” Abusers commonly mix the following drugs with carisoprodol:

•Hydrocodone formulations such as Vicodin and Lortab

•Oxycodone formulations such as Percocet and Oxycontin

•Benzodiazepines such as Ativan and Xanax

•Alcohol

Dangers of Carisoprodol Abuse

The severe dangers of carisoprodol abuse include:

•Amnesia

•Agitation

•Loss of consciousness

•Respiratory depression

•Inability to control bodily movements

•Coma

•Death

Short-Term Effects of Carisoprodol

When a doctor prescribes carisoprodol at therapeutic doses, it can have positive short-term effects for painful muscle injury or spasm patients. These effects include:

•Muscle relaxation

•Reduced pain

•Mild sedation

•Increased range of motion

However, the medication has its share of side effects that occur when you take carisoprodol in high doses or mix it with other medicines.

Carisoprodol Side Effects

There are adverse effects of carisoprodol that cannot be ignored as they are quite dangerous at higher doses. These side effects of carisoprodol include:

•Weakness

•Dizziness

•Fainting

•Seizures

•Poor judgment

•Double vision

•Loss of muscle coordination

•Confusion

•Headache

•Depression

•Nausea

•Vomiting

•Tremors

•Increased heart rate



Side effects are more pronounced and severe when you combine carisoprodol with other substances. Taking carisoprodol with illegal drugs or alcohol is known to put abusers at risk for seizures and even death.

Long-Term Effects of Carisoprodol Abuse

Carisoprodol abuse has long-term effects, such as dependence and addiction. There are not many studies to show the occurrence of long-term effects of carisoprodol. For instance, the Food and Drug Administration warns that there is no significant research to determine whether:

•The harm of the medicine to a woman’s fertility

•The medication is a carcinogen (cancer-causing substance)

Likewise, people often use carisoprodol with opiates. Long-term use of opiate increases the risk of overdose and may permanently impair the ability of the brain to create an appropriate amount of dopamine.

Lifestyle Changes Due to Carisoprodol

Long-term abuse of any medicine can also lead to personality and lifestyle changes in people. Lifestyle changes due to carisoprodol include:

•Financial issues

•Changes in personal priorities

•Withdrawal from social activities

•Declining work or school performance

•Relationship or interpersonal problems

•Compulsions to use the drug

Carisoprodol Dependence

Carisoprodol dependence comes with many physical risks. Users that are dependent and reliant on the medicine often have a greater tolerance to its effects. To get similar high, tolerant users take higher carisoprodol doses that are very dangerous.

If a person has suspected of becoming addicted to carisoprodol, the potential dangers are too great to ignore. An addicted person should seek care from an addiction specialist or enter a recovery or rehab center for treatment.

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