Abuse Potential of Soma: the GABA(A) Receptor as a Target.

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Gonzalez LA, Gatch MB, Forster MJ, Dillon GH

Abuse Potential of Soma: the GABA(A) Receptor as a Target.

Mol Cell Pharmacol. 2009 Jan 1;1(4):180-186.

PubMed ID

20419052 [ View in PubMed

]

Abstract

Soma((R)) (carisoprodol) is an increasingly abused, centrally-acting muscle relaxant. Despite the prevalence of carisoprodol abuse, its mechanism of action remains unclear. Its sedative effects, which contribute to its therapeutic and recreational use, are generally attributed to the actions of its primary metabolite, meprobamate, at GABA(A) receptors (GABA(A)R). Meprobamate is a controlled substance at the federal level; ironically, carisoprodol is not currently classified as such. Using behavioral and molecular pharmacological approaches, we recently demonstrated carisoprodol, itself, is capable of modulating GABA(A)R function in a manner similar to central nervous system depressants. Its functional similarities with this highly addictive class of drugs may contribute to the abuse potential of carisoprodol. The site of action of carisoprodol has not been identified; based on our studies, interaction with benzodiazepine or barbiturate sites is unlikely. These recent findings, when coupled with numerous reports in the literature, support the contention that the non-controlled status of carisoprodol should be reevaluated.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drugs

Carisoprodol

Drug Targets

Drug	Target	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Carisoprodol	Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit alpha-1	Protein	Humans	Unknown	Activator Modulator	Details
Carisoprodol	Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit beta-2	Protein	Humans	Unknown	Modulator	Details
Carisoprodol	Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit gamma-2	Protein	Humans	Unknown	Not Available	Details

Drug Interactions

Drugs	Interaction
Integrate drug-drug interactions in your software
1,2-Benzodiazepine Carisoprodol	The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Carisoprodol is combined with 1,2-Benzodiazepine.
Acetazolamide Carisoprodol	The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Carisoprodol is combined with Acetazolamide.
Acetophenazine Carisoprodol	The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Carisoprodol is combined with Acetophenazine.
Agomelatine Carisoprodol	The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Carisoprodol is combined with Agomelatine.
Alfentanil Carisoprodol	The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Carisoprodol is combined with Alfentanil.