Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Carisoprodol as follows:
Cardiovascular side-effects
- Carisoprodol, especially when taken in high doses, carries the risk of depressing the cardiovascular center in the brain, which regulates the heart rate and blood pressure. Consequently, intake of carisoprodol can result in low heart rate and blood pressure.
- This risk with carisoprodol can be even high when it is taken along with any other products and medications causing hypotension and bradycardia, such as, antihypertensives, antidepressants, antianxiety medications, and sedatives.
- Carisoprodol use can also result in fast and pounding heartbeat. Individuals with history of cardiac arrhythmias can be at increased risk for precipitation of arrhythmic episodes with carisoprodol use.
- Individuals taking carisoprodol must be increasingly watchful to report worsening symptoms of arrhythmias, such as, chest pain, low blood pressure, confusion, dizziness, increasing shortness of breath, and worsening fatigue.
- Hypotension and irregular heartbeat, secondary to carisoprodol intake, can contribute to the confusion and dizziness, thus significantly increasing the risk for fall and accidents.
Respiratory depression
- Carisoprodol, especially when taken in high doses, can lead to depression of respiratory center in the brain and consequently cause exacerbation of SOB, and difficult breathing.
- This risk with carisoprodol can be even high when it is taken along with any other products and medications causing central nervous depression, such as, alcohol, antidepressants, antianxiety medications, and sedatives.
- Individuals with history of breathing disorders, such as, asthma, emphysema, and COPD, are at increased risk for presentation with severe debility due to respiratory arrest from carisoprodol intake.
