Understanding Carisoprodol (Soma)

Medication Interactions

Patients need to tell their doctor about their current medications before being prescribed this one. This is because many medication interactions will occur if they do not do so! Carisoprodol interacts with other medications that slow down the nervous system. Examples include anxiety medications, including benzodiazepines, and barbiturates. Anxiety medications that interact with carisoprodol include lorazepam and clonazepam. Although their primary use is for anxiety, they also act as muscle relaxants. This is why they cause an interaction! Opioids are another class of medication that interacts with carisoprodol.

Some medications stop the patient's body from getting rid of carisoprodol properly. One example is omeprazole! When the body cannot eliminate these medications the way it should, patients experience more side effects. Their risk of dependence also increases! In contrast, rifampin and St. John's Wort make the patient eliminate carisoprodol faster. This reduces its effectiveness!