| Indication |
For the relief of discomfort associated with acute, painful, musculoskeletal conditions. |
| Pharmacodynamics |
Carisoprodol is used as a skeletal muscle relaxant. One of its metabolites, meprobamate, is available as an anxiolytic agent. |
| Mechanism of action |
Carisoprodol is a central nervous system depressant that acts as a
sedative and skeletal muscle relaxant. Rather than acting directly on
skeletal muscle, carisoprodol interrupts neuronal communication within
the reticular formation and spinal cord, resulting in sedation and
alteration in pain perception. Its exact mechanism of action is not yet
known. |
| Absorption |
Not Available |
| Volume of distribution |
Not Available |
| Protein binding |
60% |
| Metabolism |
Hepatic. Metabolized in the liver via the cytochrome P450 oxidase isozyme CYP2C19. |
| Route of elimination |
Carisoprodol is eliminated by both renal and non-renal routes. |
| Half life |
8 hours |
| Clearance |
- oral cl=0.772 L/hour/kg [Women]
- oral cl=0.38 L/hour/kg [Men]
|
| Toxicity |
Symptoms of overdose include drowsiness, giddiness, nausea,
indigestion, or rash. Other adverse effects attributed to therapeutic
use of carisoprodol include dizziness, irritability, insomnia, diplopia,
temporary loss of vision, ataxia, weakness, headache, and dysarthria.
Non-CNS adverse effects include gastrointestinal complaints,
tachycardia, and postural hypotension. Patients sensitive to sulfites or
tartrazine may experience wheezing, allergic rashes including erythema
multiforme, or anaphylaxis after using some preparations of carisoprodol
which contain such additives |
