title: Carisoprodol: an underrecognized drug of abuse in north India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is limited literature on clinical profile of subjects abusing carisoprodol.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our series of 34 subjects shows that a typical subject was an unmarried, unemployed, urban resident from a nuclear family set up; was a substance abuser before being introduced to carisoprodol by another substance abuser; initiated the use to get a better "kick" and after regular use reported craving and withdrawal symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The effect of carisoprodol was dose dependent: a majority reported a feeling of general wellbeing on consuming up to three tablets; a hypomanic state with 4-10 tablets and confusion, disorientation and drowsiness with >10 tablets at a time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thus being an underrecognized drug of abuse, carisoprodol is in need of wider awareness and regulatory measures to prevent its emergence as a greater menace in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute Medical Science, Rohtak, Haryana, 124001, India. drnaresh_pgi@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Naresh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nebhinani
authors.forename: Munish
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aggarwal
authors.forename: Surendra Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Mattoo
authors.forename: Debasish
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Basu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002328:Carisoprodol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015897:Comorbidity; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014478:Unemployment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D002328:Carisoprodol