Carisoprodol (Soma): a new and cautious perspective on an old agent.

Author(s): Littrell RA, Hayes LR, Stillner V

Affiliation(s): College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington 40536-0084.

Publication date & source: 1993-07, South Med J., 86(7):753-6.

Publication type: Review

Carisoprodol (Soma, others) is a commonly prescribed, noncontrolled, skeletal muscle relaxant whose active metabolite is meprobamate. Patients for whom carisoprodol is prescribed are at risk for meprobamate dependence; several such cases have been reported. Toxicity and withdrawal associated with the use of meprobamate is high and has led to abandonment of this agent in clinical practice. Because carisoprodol possesses the same risks it should be avoided when possible, and it should be given schedule IV controlled substance status.