Carisoprodol (Soma): Abuse potential and physician unawareness

Carisoprodol is a noncontrolled skeletal muscle relaxant whose active metab olite is meprobamate, a Schedule IV controlled substance. Although several case reports have shown that carisoprodol has abuse potential, it continues to be widely prescribed. The usage patterns of 40 patients who had taken c arisoprodol for three or more months (20 of whom had no history of substanc e abuse and 20 of whom carried a diagnosis of substance abuse or dependence ) were reviewed and compared and a survey was conducted to assess physician awareness of the abuse potential of the drug. Findings showed that some pa tients using carisoprodol for over three months may abuse the medication, e specially those individuals with a history of substance abuse. A significan t percentage of the physician population is unaware of the potential of car isoprodol for abuse and of its metabolism to meprobamate, a controlled subs tance. Physicians should exercise caution when prescribing carisoprodol, es pecially if the patient has a history of substance abuse.