Soma and Pregnancy

In animal studies on Soma (carisoprodol) and pregnancy, the medication caused problems in the offspring when it was given to pregnant animals. It decreased weight gain after birth, caused low fetal weight, and decreased survival after birth. If you are taking Soma and pregnancy occurs, your healthcare provider will weigh the benefits and potential risks before making a recommendation for your situation.

Using Soma During Pregnancy

Soma® (carisoprodol) is a prescription muscle relaxant approved for the short-term treatment of painful muscle spasms. Based on animal studies, Soma may not be safe for use during pregnancy.
 

Soma and Pregnancy Category C

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses a pregnancy category system to classify the possible risks to a fetus when a specific medicine is taken during pregnancy. Pregnancy Category C is given to medicines that have not been studied in pregnant humans but do appear to cause harm to the fetus in animal studies. Also, medicines that have not been studied in any pregnant women or animals are automatically given a pregnancy Category C rating.
 
Animal studies do not suggest that Soma increases the risk of birth defects. However, Soma caused other problems in the offspring when given to pregnant animals. These problems included:
 
  • Low fetal weight
  • Decreased weight gain after birth
  • Decreased survival after birth.
     
However, it is important to note that animals do not always respond to medicines the same way that humans do. Therefore, a pregnancy Category C medicine may be given to a pregnant woman if a healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the pregnant woman outweigh any possible risks to the unborn child.
 
(Soma and Pregnancy Continued: Page 2)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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