CARISOPRODOL (SOMA) - A NEW AND CAUTIOUS PERSPECTIVE ON AN OLD AGENT

Carisoprodol (Soma, others) is a commonly prescribed, noncontrolled, skeletal muscle relaxant whose active metabolite is meprobamate. Patients for whom carisoprodol is prescribed arc at risk for meprobamate dependence; several such cases have been reported. Toxicity and withdrawal associated with the use of meprobamate is high and has led to abandonment of this agent in clinical practice. Because carisoprodol possesses the same risks it should be avoided when possible, and it should be given schedule IV controlled substance status.