Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Carisoprodol as follows:
Central nervous system side-effects
- Carisoprodol use can result in episodes of confusion, dizziness, and light-headedness. This risk with carisoprodol can be even high when taken in high doses or when it is taken along with any other products and medications causing central nervous depression, such as, alcohol, opioid pain medications, antidepressants, antianxiety medications, and sedatives. Watching closely for therapeutic response and gradually changing the dose, to help optimum control of your symptoms, can contribute to controlling/reducing the risk for drowsiness and dizziness due to the medication.
- Carisoprodol use, especially in individuals with history of mood disorders, can occasionally result in exacerbation of mania and depressive symptoms, changes in behavior, hallucinations, and compromised sexual drive.
- Carisoprodol use, especially in individuals with seizure history, can occasionally result in deterioration of seizure control and fresh episodes of seizures.
Hematologic side-effects
- Porphyrins are compounds essential for synthesis of heme in the body. Heme is the iron containing and oxygen transporting unit of red blood cells that delivers oxygen to all the body tissues. Any irregularities or deficiencies in the pathway of heme synthesis can lead to accumulation of porphyrin molecules in the body leading to condition called porphyria. Individuals with porphyria due to reduced heme synthesis can present with signs and symptoms of poor oxygenation in various body tissues.
- Body tissues, such as, heart, lungs, muscle, brain, and intestines are highly oxygen dependent and poor oxygen delivery to these tissues can lead to symptoms of organ compromise. Individuals with porphyria can present with symptoms such as, abdominal pain, chest pain, muscle pain in the extremities & body aches, compromised endurance, shortness of breath even on mild exertion, episodes of confusion & disorientation, seizures, rapid and irregular heartbeat.
- Carisoprodol intake can result in increased risk for acute episodes of porphyria in individuals with history. In individuals with history of porphyria, carisoprodol must either be avoided for a better alternative or used with extra caution and close follow-up for any development/worsening of above mentioned symptoms of poor tissue oxygenation.
