Carisoprodol Information
What is Carisoprodol?
This drug is classed as a muscle relaxant. In other words, it produces a sedative effect on the body as a whole. It allows the whole structure of muscles holding a skeletal frame together to relax. If the tension flows out of muscles and there are no spasms, this promotes healing.
When is Carisoprodol used?
It is one of the best ways of treating acute injuries. These are the type of sport and accidental injuries that come unexpectedly but can leave you in pain for up to two weeks. Carisoprodol used in a directed program of rest and physical therapy can give you faster pain relief and a quicker path to recovery.
What should you know about Carisoprodol?
When you take the first one or two doses, it can interfere with your ability to concentrate. Until you build up some tolerance for the drug, you should not drive or operate any kind of machine that might be dangerous. This is a more real risk if you drink any alcohol. This will make you very drowsy, very quickly. There is also a risk of dependence if you use this drug at too high a dosage or for too long a period of time. So, if you have any history of problems with alcohol or other prescription-only drugs, do not start taking Carisoprodol.
Is Carisoprodol for everyone?
If you are a basically healthy adult and have no problems of addiction, you can take Carisoprodol without worry. Care is needed if you have epilepsy or another seizure disorder, and the dosage will have to be adjusted if you have liver or kidney disease. You should not give this drug to children. There is also a risk to an unborn baby so do not start taking this drug if you know you are pregnant. If you discover your pregnancy after starting, get immediate advice on how best to stop. As a general warning, if anyone in your family has problems with addiction, you should take care to ensure he or she does not get access to these pills.
Precautions
You should take the dosage suggested and only for the time indicated. The first few times you take this drug, it can affect your concentration so do not do anything potentially dangerous like driving a car until your body is used to the drug. It is also important not to mix this drug with any other medication having a sedative effect, e.g. sleeping pills, cold or allergy meds, anti-anxiety drugs and painkillers.
Side effects
Some people find themselves drowsy and feel dizzy. Headaches are not uncommon and there can be problems with sleep. These usually pass quickly. More serious are a sudden feeling of weakness, fainting, and a fast heartbeat. If you are also agitated and confused, go to the nearest emergency room.