SOMA - CASIPRODOL

Why is this medication prescribed?

Carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant, is used with rest, physical therapy, & other measures to relax muscles & relieve pain & discomfort caused by strains, sprains, & other muscle injuries.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medicine be used?

Carisoprodol comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken three times daily & at bedtime. It may be taken with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, & ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take carisoprodol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking carisoprodol,

• tell your doctor & pharmacist if you are allergic to carisoprodol, meprobamate (Equanil, Meprospan, Miltown, Neuramate), or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor & pharmacist what prescription & nonprescription medications you are taking, especially medications for allergies, coughs, or colds; muscle relaxants; sedatives; sleeping pills; tranquilizers; & vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking carisoprodol, call your doctor.
• you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how carisoprodol affects you.
• remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Carisoprodol may cause an upset stomach. Take carisoprodol with food or milk.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose & continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Carisoprodol may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• drowsiness
• dizziness
• clumsiness
• headache
• fast heart rate
• upset stomach
• vomiting
• skin rash

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• difficulty breathing
• fever
• weakness
• burning in the eyes

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, & out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature & away from moisture & heat (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

 FIORICET

How should this medicine be used?

The combination of acetaminophen, butalbital, & caffeine comes as a capsule & tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken every 4 hours as needed. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, & ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take acetaminophen, butalbital, & caffeine exactly as directed. Do not take more than six tablets or capsules in 1 day. If you think that you need more to relieve your symptoms, call your doctor.

This medication can be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or for a longer period than your doctor tells you to.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking acetaminophen, butalbital, & caffeine,

• tell your doctor & pharmacist if you are allergic to acetaminophen, butalbital, caffeine, or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor & pharmacist what prescription & nonprescription medications you are taking, especially anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), antidepressants, antihistamines, pain medications, sedatives, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, & vitamins. Many nonprescription pain relievers contain acetaminophen. Too much of this drug can be harmful.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease, porphyria, or depression.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, call your doctor.
• you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
• remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Acetaminophen, butalbital, & caffeine may cause an upset stomach. Take this medicine with food or milk.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose & continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Acetaminophen, butalbital, & caffeine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• drowsiness
• upset stomach
• vomiting
• stomach pain
• depression
• lightheadedness
• confusion

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• skin rash
• itching
• difficulty breathing

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, & out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature, away from excess heat & moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor & the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to acetaminophen, butalbital, & caffeine.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. This medication is a controlled substance. Prescriptions may be refilled only a limited number of times; ask your pharmacist if you have any questions.