A short-term muscle relaxant for muscle pain
Carisoprodol
A muscle relaxant taken by mouth for short-term relief of painful muscle conditions, with a risk of drowsiness and dependence.
What is Carisoprodol?
Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant taken by mouth to relieve discomfort from short-term, painful muscle problems, usually alongside rest and physiotherapy. It works by acting on the nervous system to reduce the sense of muscle pain, and it tends to be sedating. It is meant for short-term use only, because it can cause dependence and is sometimes misused, partly because the body turns it into a sedative called meprobamate. It is very drowsy-making and is dangerous if combined with alcohol, opioids or other sedatives. It is mainly a United States medicine and is not generally used in the UK.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Carisoprodol — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant used for the short-term relief of pain from muscle strains and similar problems, normally as part of a plan that also includes rest, pain relief and physiotherapy. It is taken by mouth and works on the nervous system rather than directly on the muscle. It is designed for short courses only because longer use carries a real risk of dependence. It is largely a United States medicine and is not in routine use in the UK, where other approaches are preferred. The body breaks it down into meprobamate, a sedative that contributes to both its effects and its risks.
How it works
Carisoprodol acts on the central nervous system to dampen the way muscle discomfort is felt, which is experienced as muscle relaxation and pain relief. It is also broken down in the body into meprobamate, a sedative substance, which adds to its calming and drowsy-making effects. This sedation is a large part of why it can help in the short term, but it is also why the medicine makes people sleepy, why it is dangerous with alcohol and other sedatives, and why it can lead to dependence and misuse. For these reasons it is used only for short periods and at the lowest amount that helps.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Various manufacturers.
A muscle relaxant used for short-term relief of muscle pain, mainly in the United States; it is not generally used in the UK.
Practical use
How to take Carisoprodol
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it by mouth exactly as prescribed, for a short course only.
- Do not drink alcohol or take opioid painkillers, sleeping tablets or other sedatives with it, as this can be dangerous.
- Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how drowsy it makes you.
- Do not stop it suddenly after regular use; reduce it under medical guidance to avoid withdrawal.
- Use it as part of a plan that also includes rest and physiotherapy, not on its own long-term.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Carisoprodol
Advantages
- Can give short-term relief from painful muscle problems alongside rest and physiotherapy.
- Taken by mouth as a simple short course.
- May help people get moving again when muscle pain is limiting them.
Disadvantages
- Strongly sedating, affecting driving, concentration and daily activities.
- Can cause dependence and is sometimes misused, so it is for short-term use only.
- Dangerous when combined with alcohol, opioids or other sedatives, and can cause withdrawal if stopped suddenly.
Practical use
Good to know
The most important thing to understand about carisoprodol is that it is for short-term use only, because it can cause dependence and is sometimes misused; the body turns it into meprobamate, a sedative, which adds to this risk. It is strongly sedating, so it can affect driving and operating machinery, and it must not be combined with alcohol, opioid painkillers, sleeping tablets or other sedatives, because together they can dangerously slow breathing. Stopping it suddenly after regular use can cause withdrawal symptoms, so it should be reduced under medical guidance rather than stopped abruptly. It is mainly a United States product and is not generally used in the UK, where muscle pain is usually managed with simple pain relief, movement and physiotherapy. It should always be used exactly as prescribed and kept away from others, especially anyone with a history of substance misuse.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to carisoprodol or to meprobamate should not take it.
- It is generally avoided in people with a history of drug or alcohol misuse, because of the risk of dependence.
- It is used with great caution, or avoided, in older people and in those with liver or kidney problems.
- It should not be used with alcohol or other sedating medicines unless specifically advised.
Monitoring
- Reviewing whether it is still needed, keeping use short.
- Watching for excessive drowsiness, dependence or signs of misuse.
- Planning a gradual reduction rather than stopping suddenly after regular use.
Side effects
- Drowsiness, dizziness or feeling unsteady, which is very common.
- Headache or a hangover-like feeling the next day.
- Dependence, craving or withdrawal symptoms with regular or longer use.
- Rarely, serious effects such as dangerously slowed breathing, especially if combined with alcohol or other sedatives.
Key interactions
- Alcohol and other sedatives add to its drowsiness and can be dangerous.
- Opioid painkillers, sleeping tablets and some anxiety medicines greatly increase the risk of slowed breathing.
- Tell your prescriber about all medicines you take, as several can add to its sedating effect.
Available as: Tablets taken by mouth.
Answers
Carisoprodol: frequently asked questions
What is carisoprodol used for?
It is a muscle relaxant used for short-term relief of pain from muscle problems, usually alongside rest and physiotherapy.
Why is it only for short-term use?
It can cause dependence and is sometimes misused, partly because the body turns it into a sedative called meprobamate, so it is used only for short courses.
Can I drink alcohol while taking it?
No. Alcohol adds to its sedating effect and the combination can be dangerous, including dangerously slowing your breathing.
Can I stop it suddenly?
After regular use, stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms, so it should be reduced gradually under medical guidance.
Is it used in the UK?
It is mainly a United States medicine and is not generally used in the UK, where muscle pain is usually managed with simple pain relief, movement and physiotherapy.
The wider class
About Muscle relaxant (short-term use)
Carisoprodol belongs to the muscle relaxant (short-term use) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
Browse by body system
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
Building a medicines information resource?
We create evidence-led, dose-free drug and formulary references for teams.