Pain Relief

This category covers muscle relaxants based on Carisoprodol, used to relieve the discomfort of acute, painful muscle and skeletal conditions such as back strain or spasm. They work within the central nervous system rather than directly on the muscle, producing a calming effect that eases the perception of muscle pain.

Carisoprodol is intended for short-term use only — generally no more than two to three weeks — alongside rest, physiotherapy and other measures. It can cause drowsiness and has a potential for dependence, so it should be taken exactly as directed and never combined with alcohol or other sedatives.

EU status: in November 2007 the European Medicines Agency's scientific committee concluded that the benefits of carisoprodol medicines no longer outweigh their risks — abuse and addiction, intoxication and psychomotor impairment — and recommended suspending their marketing authorisations in all EU markets; the European Commission's decision followed in February 2008. The EMA judged alternative medicines for lower back pain to be as effective with a better safety profile, so ask your doctor about them.