Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using Carisoprodol as follows:
- 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 and 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. Carisoprodol could best be avoided for a safer alternative or used with extra caution in individuals with history of life-threatening arrhythmias.
- Carisoprodol could be avoided for a safer alternative or used with extreme caution in individuals with history of severe head injury and brain damage. Individuals with history of head injury and brain damage can be at high risk to present with severe depression of brain and associated respiratory and cardiovascular centers with carisoprodol, leading to complications such as, coma, respiratory arrest, dangerous hypotension, and bradycardia, which can be fatal.
- Carisoprodol is mainly metabolized inside the body by the liver and is excreted out of the body in the urine by the kidneys. If liver is deficient, metabolism of the drug could be compromised, which can result in higher concentrations of the drug in the body for longer periods of time. If kidney function is deficient, elimination of the drug could be compromised, which also can result in higher concentrations of the drug in the body for longer periods of time. Either case can contribute to toxicity and consequent side-effects. So, for individuals with history of severely compromised hepatic and/or renal function, carisoprodol must be either be avoided for a safer alternative. If carisoprodol is used for such individuals, extreme caution must be exercised with close monitoring for symptoms of toxicity with carisoprodol.
- Carisoprodol use, especially in individuals with seizure history, can occasionally result in deterioration of seizure control and fresh episodes of seizures. So, carisoprodol could be avoided for a safer alternative in individuals with history of poorly controlled seizures.
