Skip to main content
Medically Approved

Carisoprodol oral tablet dosage: A detailed guide

twitter share buttonfacebook share buttonlinkedin share buttonemail article button
Form and strengthsDosageFAQHow it's takenCouponOverdoseAsk your doctor
Doctors prescribe carisoprodol oral tablet to treat muscle pain. You take it by mouth up to four times per day.
Medically reviewed by Beth Johnston, PharmD, BCPS
Updated on

This article describes carisoprodol oral tablet’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for carisoprodol. If you want to know more about carisoprodol oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.

Carisoprodol oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Soma. Carisoprodol only comes as a tablet that you swallow.

Need a diagnosis or prescription quickly? For certain health conditions, Optum Perks offers personalized on-demand care with no appointment required. For $25, answer a few questions online and receive a diagnosis and treatment plan from a board certified healthcare professional in 15 minutes or less. Get started here.

Form and strengths of carisoprodol

Carisoprodol oral tablet comes as follows:

  • Form: tablet that you swallow
  • Strengths: 250 milligrams (mg), 350 mg

Dosage of carisoprodol

This article describes the recommended dosages for carisoprodol oral tablet. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of carisoprodol oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of carisoprodol in adults

Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of carisoprodol oral tablet. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of carisoprodol oral tablet that gives the desired outcome.

Dosage for musculoskeletal pain, including back pain

  • Dose: 250–350 mg
  • Frequency: 4 times daily (3 times a day and at bedtime)
  • Maximum dosage duration: 2–3 weeks

Dosages of carisoprodol in children

Carisoprodol is safe and effective for children 16 years and older. The usual dosage is:

  • Dose: 250–350 mg
  • Frequency: 4 times daily (3 times a day and at bedtime)
  • Maximum dosage duration: 2–3 weeks

Dosage adjustments for carisoprodol

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of carisoprodol oral tablet based on several factors. These include:

  • the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
  • your age
  • other health conditions you may have

Missed dose of carisoprodol

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of carisoprodol oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of carisoprodol oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

  • downloading a reminder app on your phone
  • setting an alarm
  • putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about carisoprodol oral tablet and its dosage.

How does the dosage of carisoprodol compare with the dosage of tramadol or naproxen?

Carisoprodol, tramadol, and naproxen all treat pain, but in different ways, as explained below:

  • The usual dose of carisoprodol is 250–350 mg. You take it 4 times per day.
  • The strength of tramadol can range from 25–100 mg. You take it 3–6 times per day.
  • The strength of naproxen varies depending on whether you have a prescription or not. You usually take it 1–4 times per day.

All these drugs are available as a tablet you swallow. However, tramadol and naproxen also come in oral capsules and an oral liquid solution that you take by mouth. They’re also available in extended-release forms. This means the drug is released into your body slowly over time. You only need to take the extended-release form of tramadol or naproxen once daily.

Keep in mind that carisoprodol, tramadol, and naproxen all work differently. One may be more appropriate for you based on your specific health conditions and whether you take other medications.

Speak with your doctor to learn more about how the dosage of carisoprodol compares with the dosage of tramadol or naproxen.

Is carisoprodol taken long term?

No, doctors don’t typically prescribe carisoprodol oral tablet as a long-term treatment. Instead, it’s usually recommended for short-term use of up to 2–3 weeks.

If you’ve been taking carisoprodol long term, you may need to slowly lower your dose over the course of at least 2 weeks to stop the medication. This helps prevent withdrawal symptoms, such as:

If you have questions about how long you should take carisoprodol oral tablet, talk with your doctor.

How carisoprodol is taken

You’ll swallow carisoprodol oral tablet up to four times per day.

Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.

If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Carisoprodol coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for carisoprodol when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.

Pill bottle with text 'Starts at $4'

Free prescription coupons

Seriously … free. Explore prices that beat the competition 70% of the time.

Get free card

Overdose of carisoprodol

It’s important that you do not take more carisoprodol oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of carisoprodol overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

What to do if you take too much carisoprodol

If you think you’ve taken too much carisoprodol, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for carisoprodol oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of carisoprodol oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take carisoprodol oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • What should I do if I miss a dose of carisoprodol oral tablet?
  • Will my dosage of carisoprodol be changed if my current dosage isn’t working for my pain?
  • How long will it take for carisoprodol to start working?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Article resources