Two medicines, side by side
Carisoprodol vs diazepam
Carisoprodol and diazepam are both labeled for muscle spasms and spasticity. Drugs@FDA records approvals of carisoprodol since 1959 and of diazepam since 1963. Pharmacies paid $0.0706 per carisoprodol 350 mg tablet and $0.0283 per diazepam 10 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant and diazepam a benzodiazepine.
Check it at the source: the carisoprodol FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 15, 2025); the diazepam FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 11, 2026).
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
Highlights of the diazepam record
Diazepam (Valium) · label of August 11, 2026
RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH OPIOIDS; ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION; and DEPENDENCE AND WITHDRAWAL REACTIONS Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required.
Used for
From the label: indicationsValium is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or for the short- term relief of the symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety or tension associated with the stress of everyday life usually does not require treatment with an anxiolytic. In acute alcohol withdrawal, Valium may be useful in the symptomatic relief of acute agitation, tremor, impending or acute delirium tremens and hallucinosis. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 15, 1963
- Generic labelers
- 45 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0283 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 8
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Carisoprodol label of July 15, 2025, Diazepam label of August 11, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do carisoprodol and diazepam differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant and diazepam a benzodiazepine.
Half-life, in each label's words: Carisoprodol, “Excretion Carisoprodol is eliminated by both renal and non-renal routes with a terminal elimination half-life of …”; Diazepam, “The initial distribution phase has a half-life of approximately 1 hour, although it may range up to >3 hours.”
Only the diazepam label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: carisoprodol since 1979; diazepam since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Carisoprodol | Diazepam | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Muscle spasms and spasticity | Anxiety, Muscle spasms and spasticity |
| Pharmacologic class | Muscle Relaxant | Benzodiazepine |
| How it works (label) | The mechanism of action of carisoprodol in relieving discomfort associated with acute painful musculoskeletal conditions has not been clearly identified. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | Excretion Carisoprodol is eliminated by both renal and non-renal routes with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 2 hours. | The initial distribution phase has a half-life of approximately 1 hour, although it may range up to >3 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 9, 1959 | November 15, 1963 |
| First generic approved | June 12, 1979 | September 4, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 24 labelers | 45 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0706 per tablet (Carisoprodol 350 mg tablet) | $0.0283 per tablet (Diazepam 10 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +3% | -5% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 8 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 18,964 | 121,010 |
| DEA schedule | CIV | 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 do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Diazepam label, drug interactionsCentrally Acting Agents If Valium is to be combined with other centrally acting agents, careful consideration should be given to the pharmacology of the agents employed particularly with compounds that may potentiate or be potentiated by the action of Valium, such as phenothiazines, antipsychotics, anxiolytics/sedatives, hypnotics, anticonvulsants, narcotic analgesics, anesthetics, sedative antihistamines …
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to carisoprodol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions