aspirin, carisoprodol, and codeine

Pronunciation: AS pir in, kar EYE soe PROE dol, and KOE deen

What is the most important information I should know about aspirin, carisoprodol, and codeine?

Aspirin may cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal.

This medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and may be habit-forming. MISUSE OF THIS MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription.

You should not use this medicine if you have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, porphyria, or a history of asthma or severe allergic reaction caused by taking aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

This medicine is not for use in anyone under 18.

Taking this medicine during pregnancy may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.

Fatal side effects can occur if you use this medicine with alcohol, or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.

What is aspirin, carisoprodol, and codeine?

Aspirin is a salicylate (sa-LIS-il-ate) that reduces substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation. Aspirin is also a fever reducer. Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxer that works by blocking pain sensations between the nerves and the brain. Codeine is an opioid pain medication, sometimes called a narcotic.

Aspirin, carisoprodol, and codeine is a combination medicine used together with rest and physical therapy to treat pain, muscle spasm, and other symptoms related to injuries and other painful muscular conditions.

Aspirin, carisoprodol, and codeine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking aspirin, carisoprodol, and codeine?

Aspirin may cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are taking this medicine.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to aspirin, carisoprodol, or codeine, or if you have:

  • a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
  • porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system); or
  • a history of asthma or severe allergic reaction (aspirin triad syndrome) caused by taking aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

In some people, codeine breaks down rapidly in the liver and reaches higher than normal levels in the body. This can cause dangerously slow breathing and may cause death, especially in a child.

Do not give this medicine to anyone younger than 18 years old.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • a sulfite allergy;
  • liver or kidney disease;
  • a breathing disorder;
  • a stomach ulcer or intestinal blockage; or
  • drug or alcohol addiction.

If you use codeine while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for several weeks. Taking aspirin during late pregnancy may cause bleeding in the mother or the baby during delivery. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Do not breast-feed. Codeine can pass into breast milk and may cause drowsiness, breathing problems, or death in a nursing baby. Aspirin use while breast-feeding could cause bleeding in the infant.

How should I take aspirin, carisoprodol, and codeine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Codeine can slow or stop your breathing. Never use this medicine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

Codeine may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE OF NARCOTIC MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Selling or giving away aspirin, carisoprodol, and codeine is against the law.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using aspirin, carisoprodol, and codeine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep track of your medicine. Codeine is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

Do not keep leftover opioid medication. Just one dose can cause death in someone using this medicine accidentally or improperly. Ask your pharmacist where to locate a drug take-back disposal program. If there is no take-back program, flush the unused medicine down the toilet.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since this medicine is used for pain, you are not likely to miss a dose. Skip any missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of this medication can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include rapid breathing, vomiting, fever, sweating, diarrhea, thirst, extreme weakness or dizziness, headache, vision problems, confusion, ringing in your ears, muffled hearing, pinpoint pupils, very slow breathing, or coma.

What should I avoid while taking aspirin, carisoprodol, and codeine?

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how aspirin, carisoprodol, and codeine will affect you.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, or pain medicine. Aspirin (sometimes abbreviated as ASA) is contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much aspirin. Check the label to see if a medicine contains aspirin.

Avoid using antacids without your doctor's advice. Use only the type of antacid your doctor recommends. Some antacids can make it harder for your body to absorb aspirin, carisoprodol, and codeine.

What are the possible side effects of aspirin, carisoprodol, and codeine?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

Like other narcotic medicines, codeine can slow your breathing. Death may occur if breathing becomes too weak.

A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • joint pain, dizziness, confusion, extreme weakness, loss of movement in your arms or legs, double vision or temporary loss of vision (these effects may occur within minutes or hours after taking the medicine);
  • noisy breathing, sighing, shallow breathing;
  • severe drowsiness;
  • a slow heart rate or weak pulse;
  • runny nose, wheezing, trouble breathing; or
  • signs of stomach bleeding --bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults and those who are overweight, malnourished, or debilitated.

Long-term use of opioid medication may affect fertility (ability to have children) in men or women. It is not known whether opioid effects on fertility are permanent.

Common side effects may include:

  • dizziness, drowsiness;
  • mild nausea, heartburn, upset stomach, hiccups;
  • diarrhea, constipation;
  • mild itching or skin rash; or
  • flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect aspirin, carisoprodol, and codeine?

This medicine can interact with many other drugs and cause dangerous side effects or death. Be sure your doctor knows if you also use:

  • other narcotic medications --opioid pain medicine or prescription cough medicine;
  • a sedative like Valium --diazepam, alprazolam, lorazepam, Ativan, Klonopin, Restoril, Tranxene, Versed, Xanax, and others; or
  • drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing --a sleeping pill, muscle relaxer, tranquilizer, antidepressant, or antipsychotic medicine.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with aspirin, carisoprodol, and codeine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about aspirin, carisoprodol, and codeine.


Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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