Carisoprodol, the active ingredient in SOMA, is a muscle relaxant used to relax muscles and relieve pain and discomfort caused by strains, sprains, and other muscle injuries. Common side effects include: drowsiness, dizziness, clumsiness, headache, fast heart rate, upset stomach, vomiting and skin rash. It has been subject to abuse, dependence, withdrawal, misuse and criminal diversion. Abuse of SOMA poses a risk of overdosage which may lead to death, CNS and respiratory depression, hypotension, seizures, and other disorders.
Carisoprodol should be used with caution in people with reduced CYP2C19 activity. Published studies indicate that patients who are poor CYP2C19 metabolizers have a 4-fold increase in exposure to carisoprodol compared to normal CYP2C19 metabolizers. CYP2C19 poor metabolizers are thus more likely to experience side effects with typical doses of Carisoprodol.
15-20% of Asians and approximately 3-5% of Caucasians and African Americans are poor metabolizers.
Related to:
CYP2C19, SOMA, muscle relaxer