Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking carisoprodol as follows:
- Carisoprodol, especially when taken in high doses, can lead to depression of respiratory center in the brain, exacerbation of SOB, and difficulty breathing. Low oxygen levels in the body with elevated carbon-di-oxide levels can contribute to altered levels of consciousness, sedation, slow & shallow breathing, severely compromised endurance and exercise tolerance, extreme fatigue, and development of seizures. Severe cases might also lead to emergency situations, such as, respiratory arrest and can result in serious debility and death. This risk with carisoprodol can be even high when it is taken along with any other products and medications causing central nervous and respiratory depression, such as, alcohol, opioid pain medications, antidepressants, antianxiety medications, and sedatives. Carisoprodol could either be avoided for a safer alternative or used with extra caution in individuals with history of breathing issues, such as, asthma and COPD, to prevent development of any episodes of severe SOB and respiratory arrest.
- 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. Hypotension and bradycardia, secondary to carisoprodol intake, can contribute to the confusion and dizziness, thus significantly increasing the risk for fall and accidents. 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, and so, must be avoided. Changing positions slowly, such as, from laying down to standing, by sitting up for a minute or two and stabilizing before standing up and walking around can also contribute towards fall and accident prevention.
- 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.
