IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a summary and does not contain all possible information about this product. For complete information about this product or your specific health needs, ask your health care professional. Always seek the advice of your health care professional if you have any questions about this product or your medical condition. This information is not intended as individual medical advice and does not substitute for the knowledge and judgment of your health care professional. This information does not contain any assurances that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you.
CARISOPRODOL/ASPIRIN - ORAL
(kar-iss-oh-PRO-dole/ASP-er-in)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Soma Compound
USES: This medication is a combination of carisoprodol and aspirin. It provides temporary relief of pain and discomfort from muscle injuries such as strains, sprains, and spasms. It is usually used along with rest, physical therapy, and other treatments.
Carisoprodol relaxes tight muscles and relieves pain, cramping, and stiffness so you can move around more and get back to doing your daily activities. Carisoprodol belongs to a class of drugs called muscle relaxants. Aspirin helps decrease pain and swelling.
HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth, usually 4 times a day or as directed by your doctor.
Take with food or milk if stomach upset occurs.
Take this medication with a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) unless your doctor directs you otherwise. Do not lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking this drug.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.
Carisoprodol may cause dependence, especially if it has been used regularly for an extended time or if it has been used in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal reactions (e.g., stomach cramps, trouble sleeping, headache, nausea) may occur if you suddenly stop this drug. To prevent withdrawal when stopping extended/regular treatment with this drug, gradually reduce the dosage as directed. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately.
Rarely, abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction) is possible with this medication. Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently, or use it for a longer time than prescribed. Properly stop the medication when so directed.
Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.
SIDE EFFECTS: Stomach upset, headache, drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, or flushing may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: fainting, hearing problems (e.g., ringing in the ears), fast heartbeat, difficult/painful swallowing.
Sometimes carisoprodol may cause a very rare but serious reaction that occurs within minutes or hours of the first dose of this medication. Stop taking this medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of these symptoms occur: unable to move arms/legs, shaky/unsteady movement, loss of balance, joint pain, mental/mood changes (e.g., agitation, confusion, unexplained mood swings), vision problems (e.g., blurred vision, double vision, loss of vision), extreme weakness.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: black/bloody/tarry stools, easy bruising/bleeding, persistent nausea/vomiting, severe stomach/abdominal pain, change in amount/color of urine, vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects. The following numbers do not provide medical advice, but in the US you may report side effects to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you may call Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
PRECAUTIONS: Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to carisoprodol or aspirin; or to related medications such as meprobamate, tybamate, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen, or other salicylates such as salsalate; or if you have any other allergies.
This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: aspirin-sensitive asthma (a history of worsening breathing with runny/stuffy nose after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs), bleeding/clotting problems (e.g., coagulopathy, bleeding peptic ulcers), certain genetic blood disorder (porphyria).
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: asthma, certain genetic conditions (G6PD deficiency, pyruvate kinase deficiency), gout, growths in the nose (nasal polyps), personal/family history of regular use/abuse of drugs/alcohol, heart problems (e.g., fast/irregular heartbeat, heart failure), high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, stomach/intestine/esophagus problems (e.g., bleeding, heartburn, ulcers).
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Use caution while driving, using machinery, or doing any activity that requires alertness. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
To avoid dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
This medicine may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use of alcohol and tobacco, especially when combined with this medicine, may increase your risk for stomach bleeding. Limit alcohol and stop smoking. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
This medication contains aspirin. Children and teenagers should not take aspirin if they have chickenpox, flu, or any undiagnosed illness without first consulting a doctor about Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious illness.
During the first 6 months of pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It is not recommended for use during the last 3 months of pregnancy due to possible harm to the unborn baby and problems with normal labor/delivery. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
This drug may pass into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Therefore, breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.
This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: cidofovir, ketorolac, mifepristone, flu vaccine given in the nose.
If you are currently using any of these medications listed above or received the flu vaccine in the last month, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting this medication.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: anti-platelet drugs (e.g., clopidogrel), "blood thinners" (e.g., heparin, warfarin), bisphosphonates taken by mouth (e.g., alendronate), carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., acetazolamide), corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), cyclosporine, drugs for diabetes (e.g., insulin, sulfonylureas such as glipizide), drugs for gout (e.g., probenecid, sulfinpyrazone), drugs for high blood pressure (e.g., ACE inhibitors such as captopril/lisinopril, angiotensin II receptor blockers such as as losartan, and beta blockers such as metoprolol), drugs that change the acidity of urine (e.g., antacids, citrates, sodium bicarbonate, high doses of vitamin C/ascorbic acid), lithium, methotrexate, NSAIDs and other salicylates (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen, salsalate), pemetrexed, SSRI antidepressants (e.g., fluoxetine, paroxetine), "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide).
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine, risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone). Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.
Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many contain pain relievers/fever reducers (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin) that are similar to the aspirin in this product. Low-dose aspirin should be continued if prescribed by your doctor for heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams a day). Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms may include: ringing in ears, confusion, fast/irregular heartbeat, seizures, loss of consciousness.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.
This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another condition unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in that case.
Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., complete blood count, kidney/liver tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Information last revised July 2008 Copyright(c) 2008 First DataBank, Inc.