WHAT TO KNOW
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. soma / carisoprodol may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking soma / carisoprodol. Also, in combination with aspirin, alcohol can be very damaging to your stomach. Watch for bloody, black, or tarry stools or blood in your vomit. This could mean damage to your stomach. Never take more of this medication than is prescribed for you. If your pain is not being adequately treated, talk to your doctor.

WHAT IS IT
Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant. It works by blocking nerve impulses (or pain sensations) that are sent to your brain. Soma / carisoprodol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

HOW TO TAKE THIS MEDICATION
Take soma / carisoprodol exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water. The maximum amount of soma / carisoprodol you should take in one day is 1600 mg of carisoprodol, 2600 mg of aspirin. Store soma / carisoprodol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

MISSED DOSE
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of soma / carisoprodol. Keep your doses at least 4 hours apart from one another.

OVER DOSE
Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of an aspirin soma / carisoprodol overdose include:

headache

ringing in the ears

dim vision

small pupils

nausea

vomiting

diarrhea

sweating

increased thirst

low blood pressure (weakness, fainting, confusion)

decreased breathing

unconsciousness.

SIDE EFFECTS
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking soma / carisoprodol and seek emergency medical attention:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

paralysis (loss of feeling) or extreme weakness

vision loss

agitation or tremor

red, black, or bloody stools

blood in your vomit

other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur

Continue to take soma / carisoprodol and talk to your doctor if you experience:

drowsiness or dizziness

headache

depression

blurred vision or small pupils

insomnia;

hiccups

faint ringing in the ears

nausea, vomiting, or constipation

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

PRECAUTIONS
Do not take soma / carisoprodol if you have acute intermittent porphyria. Codeine is habit forming and should only be used under close supervision if you have an alcohol or drug addiction.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have:

kidney disease

liver disease

an ulcer in your stomach or intestines

a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder

urinary retention

an enlarged prostate

hypothyroidism

a head injury

addison's disease

You may not be able to take soma / carisoprodol, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. It is not known whether soma / carisoprodol will harm an unborn baby. Do not take soma / carisoprodol without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. It is also not known whether soma / carisoprodol passes into breast milk. Do not take soma / carisoprodol without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

soma / carisoprodol is not approved for use in children younger than 12 years of age.

DRUG INTERACTIONS
Many drugs can increase the effects of soma / carisoprodol and lead to heavy sedation. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

antihistamines such as brompheniramine (Dimetane, Bromfed, others)

chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton

Teldrin, others)

azatadine (Optimine)

clemastine (Tavist)

narcotics (pain killers) such as meperidine (Demerol)

morphine (MS Contin, MSIR, others)

propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet)

hydrocodone (Lorcet, Vicodin)

oxycodone (Percocet, Percodan)

fentanyl (Duragesic)

codeine (Fiorinal, Fioricet, Tylenol #3, others)

sedatives such as phenobarbital (Solfoton, Luminal), amobarbital (Amytal)

secobarbital (Seconal)

phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin)

mesoridazine (Serentil)

perphenazine (Trilafon)

prochlorperazine (Compazine)

thioridazine (Mellaril), and trifluoperazine (Stelazine)

antidepressants such as doxepin (Sinequan)

imipramine (Tofranil)

nortriptyline (Pamelor)

fluoxetine (Prozac)

paroxetine (Paxil)

sertraline (Zoloft)

phenelzine (Nardil)

tranylcypromine (Parnate).

Other over-the-counter and prescription drugs may increase the effects of aspirin and cause dangerous side effects:

oral anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin)

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Rufen, others)

ketoprofen (Orudis, Oruvail)

naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, Aleve)

other commonly used NSAIDs, including diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), and tolmetin (Tolectin)

other salicylates (forms of aspirin) such as salsalate (Disalcid), choline salicylate, and magnesium salicylate

bismuth subsalicylate in drugs such as Pepto-Bismol; and calcium supplements and antacids.

other drugs that should not be combined with aspirin and carisoprodol include

steroids such as prednisone (Deltasone)

oral antidiabetic drugs such as glipizide (Glucotrol) and glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta)

alcohol

lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others)

cyclosporine (Sandimmune)

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with soma / carisoprodol. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.