Two medicines, side by side
Baclofen vs carisoprodol
Baclofen and carisoprodol are both labeled for muscle spasms and spasticity. Drugs@FDA records approvals of baclofen since 1977 and of carisoprodol since 1959. Pharmacies paid $0.032 per baclofen 10 mg tablet and $0.0706 per carisoprodol 350 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, baclofen is a gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic agonist and carisoprodol a muscle relaxant.
Check it at the source: the baclofen FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 12, 2024); the carisoprodol FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 15, 2025).
Highlights of the baclofen record
Baclofen (Gablofen) · label of August 12, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsBaclofen tablets USP are useful for the alleviation of signs and symptoms of spasticity resulting from multiple sclerosis, particularly for the relief of flexor spasms and concomitant pain, clonus, and muscular rigidity. Patients should have reversible spasticity so that baclofen treatment will aid in restoring residual function. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 22, 1977
- Generic labelers
- 55 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.032 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Highlights of the carisoprodol record
Carisoprodol (Soma) · label of July 15, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsCarisoprodol tablets are indicated for the relief of discomfort associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions in adults. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 9, 1959
- Generic labelers
- 24 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0706 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Baclofen label of August 12, 2024, Carisoprodol label of July 15, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do baclofen and carisoprodol differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, baclofen is a gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic agonist and carisoprodol a muscle relaxant.
Generics: baclofen since 1988; carisoprodol since 1979 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: baclofen none; carisoprodol CIV.
| Baclofen | Carisoprodol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Muscle spasms and spasticity | Muscle spasms and spasticity |
| Pharmacologic class | gamma-Aminobutyric Acid-ergic Agonist | Muscle Relaxant |
| How it works (label) | n/a | The mechanism of action of carisoprodol in relieving discomfort associated with acute painful musculoskeletal conditions has not been clearly identified. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Excretion Carisoprodol is eliminated by both renal and non-renal routes with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 2 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 22, 1977 | April 9, 1959 |
| First generic approved | July 21, 1988 | June 12, 1979 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 55 labelers | 24 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.032 per tablet (Baclofen 10 mg tablet) | $0.0706 per tablet (Carisoprodol 350 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | +3% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 3 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 88,351 | 18,964 |
| DEA schedule | none | CIV |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to baclofen
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions