If you have low back pain or pain due to injury, you must have been tired of visiting your primary care physicians. Symptoms of skeletal muscle injuries and pain include tingling or burning sensation, weakness, sharp pain, and dull aches. There are several treatment options ranging from pharmacologic measures to non-pharmacologic interventions, but these treatments lack evidence enough to claim their efficacy.
Usually, physical therapy is the most convenient and reliable treatment option for treating muscle pain. Another most efficient treatment option used with physical therapy is Carisoprodol, which comes under different brand names and generic medication. Read on to find more about Carisoprodol.
Carisoprodol is an FDA-approved muscle relaxant that relieves you from any discomfort or pain resulting from musculoskeletal conditions, sprains, strains, and injuries. It is used in combination with physical therapy to relax your muscles. In 1959, the United States approved the use of Carisoprodol as a generic medication. The use of Carisoprodol has only been approved for two to three weeks. (1)
Carisoprodol is not recommended to use as a treatment option for spasticity. Carisoprodol is associated with a very low risk of dependence and a low potential for abuse. It makes your muscles relax by directly acting on your central nervous system. If you have painful muscle spasms, you can take Carisoprodol because it owns sedative and anxiolytic effects in its metabolite, meprobamate. (2)
Carisoprodol is only effective for short-term treatment because there’s no evidence available that can claim the efficacy of Carisoprodol for the long term.
The exact mechanism of how Carisoprodol relaxes your muscles and relieves you from discomfort and pain is not fully understood. Carisoprodol does not directly relax your skeletal muscles. According to various studies conducted on animal models, it has been reported that a change in the interneuronal activity of the descending reticular formation and spinal cord is associated with Carisoprodol. (3)
The therapeutic effects and abuse potential of Carisoprodol are attributed to its primary metabolite meprobamate that modulates GABA (A) receptor subunits and alters GABA (A) activity. Meprobamate has both sedative and benzodiazepine-related anxiolytic properties. (4, 5)
Like other benzodiazepines, the liver metabolizes Carisoprodol with the help of the CYP2C19 isozyme of the cytochrome P450 oxidase. After its absorption, kidneys excrete Carisoprodol out of the body. With a quick onset of action, 250mg or 350 mg of Carisoprodol starts relaxing your muscles within 1.5 to 1.7 hours.
Carisoprodol is taken by mouth in the form of a 250 mg or 350 mg tablet. It is taken at bedtime for up to three weeks. Your doctor will prescribe the drug form, how often you should take it, and the dosage depending on:
For seniors of 65 years old:
The medicine should not be used for older adults because the effects of Carisoprodol in adults of 65 years old have not been studied yet.
For Adults (From 17-60 years old):
Carisoprodol should be taken three times a day and before going to bed in 250-350 mg of dose. It means you have to take a total of 1400 mg/day.
For Children (0-16 years):
The effects of this medication have not been confirmed or studied in children yet. So, it is important to not prescribe this medicine to children. (7)
Before Taking This Medication:
Here are some of the precautions you should take before starting to use this medicine:
