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

Carisoprodol (Soma, others) is a commonly prescribed, noncontrolled, s keletal muscle relaxant whose active metabolite is meprobamate. Patien ts for whom carisoprodol is prescribed arc at risk for meprobamate dep endence; several such cases have been reported. Toxicity and withdrawa l associated with the use of meprobamate is high and has led to abando nment of this agent in clinical practice. Because carisoprodol possess es the same risks it should be avoided when possible, and it should be given schedule IV controlled substance status.