Carisoprodol (brand name Soma) is a skeletal muscle reactant that acts as a central nervous system sedative, targeting GABA-A receptors. It can be abused with signs and symptoms similar to those seen with other sedative-hypnotic drugs.
Active metabolite: meprobamate
The drug is metabolized by hepatic CYP2C19.
Signs of intoxication:
(1) drowsiness or somnolence
(2) altered mood (euphoria or dysphoria/depression)
(3) an impaired ability to operate machinery
(4) dizziness or vertigo
(5) headache
(6) tachycardia
(7) postural hypotension or syncope
(8) ataxia
(9) tremor
(10) agitation or irritability
(11) seizures
(12) nausea and vomiting
Abuse can be fatal, especially if taken as an overdose or if taken together with opiates.
At standard doses adverse effects tend to decrease with time. Increasing doses are required over time to achieve a desired level of intoxication.
Flumazenil, which is used to treated benzodiazepine intoxicaton by blocking GABA receptors, is effective in overdose situations.
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