Is Carisoprodol compatible with breastfeeding? Do we have alternatives for Carisoprodol?

Carisoprodol

January 29, 2017 (Low Risk)

Skeletal muscle relaxant with sedative effects on the central nervous system. It is metabolized to meprobamate.
Indicated on low back pain.

It is excreted into breast milk in a clinically non-significant amount (Nordeng 2001, Bailey 2002, Briggs 2008) without problems being observed on infants whose mothers were receiving this medication, (Nordeng 2001), except for a mild sedation with higher maternal drug doses (Briggs 2008) .
Plasma levels in the infant were undetectable (Briggs 2008).

Carisoprodol use increases the risk of abuse and addictive behavior, intoxication and possible psychomotor impairment (Bailey 2002, EMA 2007) being such a reason to be withdrawn from the market in some countries. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended to withhold authorizations for marketing of medicines that contains Carisoprodol (EMA 2007, Reeves 2012, Bramases 2012).

If administered during breastfeeding, it is advisable to use a minimum effective dose and monitor a possible sedation on the infant and an inadequate milk production (Sachs 2013).

Alternatives

Very Low Risk

Compatible. Not risky for breastfeeding or infant.

Low Risk

Moderately safe. Mild risk possible. Follow up recommended. Read the Comment.

High Risk

Poorly safe. Evaluate carefully. Use a safer alternative. Read the Comment.

Very High Risk

Not recommended. Cessation of breastfeeding or alternative.

Synonyms

  • Isopropylmeprobamate

Writings

  • Καρισοπροδόλη (Greek)
  • كاريزوبرودول (Arabic)
  • Каризопродол (Cyrillic)
  • 卡立普多 (Chinese)
  • カリソプロドール (Japanese)
  • C12H24N2O4 (Molecular formula)

Drug trade names

References

  1. Meda. Carisoprodol. Drug Summary. 2013 Full text (in our servers)
  2. Sachs HC; Committee On Drugs. The transfer of drugs and therapeutics into human breast milk: an update on selected topics. Pediatrics. 2013Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  3. Bramness JG, Furu K, Skurtveit S, Engeland A. Effect of the market withdrawal of carisoprodol on use of other prescribed drugs with abuse potential. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2012Abstract
  4. Reeves RR, Burke RS, Kose S. Carisoprodol: update on abuse potential and legal status. South Med J. 2012Abstract
  5. Briggs GG, Ambrose PJ, Nageotte MP, Padilla G. High-dose carisoprodol during pregnancy and lactation. Ann Pharmacother. 2008Abstract
  6. EMA. European Medicines Agency recommends suspension of marketing authorisations for carisoprodol-containing medicinal products. Press office. 2007 Full text (in our servers)
  7. EMA. Conclusiones científicas y motivos de la suspensión de las autorizaciones de comercialización presentados por la EMEA. Anexo II. 2007 Full text (in our servers)
  8. AEMPS. Carisoprodol. Ficha técnica. 2005 Full text (in our servers)
  9. Bailey DN, Briggs JR. Carisoprodol: an unrecognized drug of abuse. Am J Clin Pathol. 2002Abstract
  10. Nordeng H, Zahlsen K, Spigset O. Transfer of carisoprodol to breast milk. Ther Drug Monit. 2001Abstract