Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking carisoprodol as follows:
- Carisoprodol has strong potential for addiction, especially after prolonged use and/or in individuals with history of substance/drug abuse. Carisoprodol is metabolized by the liver to active products that have a strong abuse potential. This makes carisoprodol a risky drug and so, must be avoided for a safer alternative in individuals with history of drug abuse. Individuals who are active drug abusers or sober currently with history of drug abuse must discuss this issue and their safety with carisoprodol with their physician. Keep a count on your pills, when taking this medication, to help prevent abuse by others. Do not share this medication with any friends and family.
- Due to the strong addiction potential, carisoprodol is usually prescribed only for 2 – 3 weeks or a limited short duration of time. If you are taking this medication for longer periods of time, set enough reminders to help yourself pick the refill before you run out on the medication. Also, you can avoid the unpleasant withdrawal response from sudden discontinuation of medication due to running out on the medication. Follow closely on the expiration date of the medication. If using a pillbox, check the expiration date on the medication container every time you fill the pillbox.
- Do not pull off from taking this medication suddenly or without notifying your physician. Individuals on sudden withdrawal from carisoprodol, especially after prolonged use or use in high doses, can present with unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, such as, listlessness, lack of energy, exacerbation of depressive symptoms and anxiety in individuals with history, agitation, sleep disturbances, confusion, appetite changes, delusions, hallucinations, mania, rebound bad muscle spasms, and seizures. Discontinuation on carisoprodol use must be slow and gradual, using tapering doses, and only on your physician recommendation.
- Take the medication at the same time, every day, to avoid forgetting the medication. Taking the medication at regularly spaced intervals helps to maintain appropriate blood levels of carisoprodol needed to derive the desired beneficial effects and also prevent toxicity with the medication.
