What is Carisoprodol?

Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxer that blocks the pain signals between the brain and the nerves. It has two "stage names": Soma and Vanadom, but is most commonly known as Soma, which is Latin for "body".

You are usually prescribed this medication when you have a muscle injury that is causing spasms, along with physical therapy. There are the usual caveats about it being habit forming but let's face it....anything that will relive pain can become habit forming, that includes aspirin. The difference with Carisoprodol is that physical dependence can occur if it is used over a long period of time.

Physical Dependence

Physical dependence should never be confused with addiction. Physical dependence simply means that if you the medication is suddenly discontinued, the physical symptoms of the illness that is being treated will return or you may have other symptoms that may or may not be uncomfortable but are DIRECTLY attributable to the absence of the medication. Diabetics are physically dependent on insulin, Asthmatics can be physically dependent on steroids or other medications that suppress their breathing problems. Where this dependence is based on the bodies reactions, addiction is the mental state that drives someone to get more of the medication due to CRAVING. These are two different conditions that are separate conditions but can co-exist.

Carisoprodol can cause drowsiness, sleep disturbances and constipation. Don't drink while taking this medication as alcohol can increase the drowsiness but also any sleep disturbances. I have taken this several times and it is serious medication. Alcohol is not a pleasant experience. Usually a patient will only take this medication for a short period of time or until the pain and muscle spasm should have subsided and can be managed with other medications.

Those of us with chronic pain that causes muscle spasms, Carisoprodol is sometimes needed for flare ups where the daily medication cannot keep up with he intensity of the pain and spasms. The relief is well worth the side effects.

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