The half-life is approximately 8 hours. As an adjunct to rest, physical therapy, and other measures for the relief of discomfort associated with acute, painful musculo-skeletal conditions. The mode of action of this drug has not been clearly identified, but may be related to its sedative properties. Carisoprodol does not directly relax tense skeletal muscles in humans. On very rare occasions, the first dose of carisoprodol has been followed by idiosyncratic symptoms appearing within minutes or hours.
Symptoms usually subside over the course of the next several hours.
Supportive and symptomatic therapy, including hospitalization, may be necessary. Since the effects of carisoprodol and alcohol or carisoprodol and other CNS depressants may be additive, appropriate caution should be exercised. The drug should be used with caution in addiction prone individuals. Since carisoprodol has a chemical structure similar to meprobamate, it should be used with caution in patients with known porphyria. Patients receiving carisoprodol should be cautioned about driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery or apparatus requiring alert attention.