Sometimes our muscles or tendons get really sore and stiff, don't they? There are times when this pain cannot be controlled with one or two common painkillers. At such times, if other painkillers don't work for you or you can't tolerate them, a doctor may prescribe this medicine. Today we are talking about such a powerful painkiller combination.
What is this medicine? Simply put...
This is actually a combination of three drugs. That is, a pill made by combining all three drugs, Carisoprodol , Aspirin , and Codeine . Let's see what happens with each of these.
- Carisoprodol: This is a muscle relaxant . It works by calming the overactive nervous system in your body and relaxing tight muscles.
- Aspirin: This is a pain reliever that belongs to the NSAID (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug) class. It reduces pain and swelling.
- Codeine: This is a powerful painkiller that belongs to the opioid class. It controls pain signals to the brain.
Simply put, these three medications work together to control muscle pain, stiffness, and swelling. This is usually given as a short-term treatment.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Since this is a potent combination of medications, it is extremely important to inform your doctor about any other medical conditions you may have. If you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor before using this medication.
| Let your doctor know if you have these conditions. | |
|---|---|
| Bleeding diseases | Brain tumor |
| Frequent alcohol use | Head injuries |
| Heart disease | Kidney disease |
| Liver disease | Lung or respiratory disease (e.g., asthma, COPD) |
| Seizures | Drug addiction |
| Stomach or intestinal problems (e.g. ulcers) | If you have taken an MAOI antidepressant (such as Marplan, Nardil, Parnate) in the past 14 days |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | If you are a breastfeeding mother |
| If you have an allergic reaction to aspirin, codeine, carisoprodol or other medicines, foods, or dyes | |
How do you use this medicine?
Swallow this tablet with a glass of water. Follow the dosage exactly as prescribed by your doctor . Never take more than the prescribed amount. If you experience stomach upset, take it with a meal or a glass of milk.
Be very careful when giving to children!
This medicine is not recommended for children under 12 years of age . It is also not recommended for children under 18 years of age who have had tonsils or adenoids removed.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more than the prescribed dose, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately . Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . This medicine is for your own use only. Never share it with others .
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
It is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including vitamins, herbal products, and over-the-counter medications, as some medications can interact with this medication.
| Never take this medicine with these | |
|---|---|
| Abrocitinib | Cidofovir |
| Ketorolac | MAOIs (such as Marplan, Nardil, Parnate) |
| Probenecid | Samidorphan |
| Inform your doctor if you are taking this medicine with these | |
| Alcohol | Other medications that cause sleep and drowsiness (e.g., Benzodiazepines) |
| Medications that prevent blood clotting (e.g. Warfarin, Apixaban) | Some medications for depression (e.g. Fluoxetine, Sertraline) |
| Other NSAID painkillers (e.g. Ibuprofen, Naproxen) | Some medications for diabetes |
| Some medications used for epilepsy (e.g. Carbamazepine, Valproic acid) | Some antibiotics and antifungals |
| Medications for high blood pressure and heart disease | Steroid medications (e.g. Prednisone) |
*Please note that this is not a complete list. Tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking.*
Be careful about these things when taking medication.
- Pain control: Tell your doctor if your pain does not go away, if it gets worse, or if you have a new type of pain. As you continue to take this medicine, your body may develop a tolerance to it. This means that you may need a higher dose to control the pain you had before. This is normal. This is not an addiction .
- Stopping suddenly: Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without medical advice. Doing so can cause serious side effects. If you need to stop, your doctor will gradually reduce the dose.
- Drowsiness: This medicine, as well as other medicines that cause drowsiness (such as other opioids and benzodiazepines), can cause excessive drowsiness and difficulty breathing. If you have difficulty breathing or feel extremely drowsy, seek emergency medical attention immediately .
- Constipation: Constipation is common when taking this medication. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days, tell your doctor.
- Stomach ulcers and bleeding: This medicine contains aspirin, which can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding. If you have stomach pain, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, or black, tarry stools, see a doctor immediately. Smoking and alcohol use increase this risk.
- Severe skin reactions: Sometimes, a few weeks after starting this medicine, you may develop red or purple blisters or peeling skin, along with fever and body aches. If you notice any of these, tell your doctor right away.
Avoid driving or operating machinery while taking this medicine, as it may affect your concentration and decision-making ability.
Side effects of the medicine
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. Some are serious, some are common.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately |
|---|
|
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist |
|
Take-Home Message
- This is a powerful combination of medications. Do not take more than the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and alcohol use you are taking.
- Keep this medicine in a safe place out of the reach of children and pets . This is a drug that can be misused.
- Never share this medicine with anyone else. It is illegal and very dangerous.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any serious side effects such as difficulty breathing, excessive drowsiness, severe skin lesions, or signs of bleeding.
- Avoid stopping the medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
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