Two medicines, side by side
Carisoprodol vs orphenadrine
Carisoprodol and orphenadrine are both labeled for muscle spasms and spasticity. Drugs@FDA records approvals of carisoprodol since 1959 and of orphenadrine since 1957. Pharmacies paid $0.0706 per carisoprodol 350 mg tablet and $0.454 per orphenadrine ER 100 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the carisoprodol FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 15, 2025); the orphenadrine FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 10, 2025).
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 orphenadrine record
Orphenadrine (Disipal) · label of September 10, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsOrphenadrine citrate extended-release tablets are indicated as an adjunct to rest, physical therapy, and other measures for the relief of discomfort associated with acute painful musculoskeletal conditions.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- May 10, 1957
- Generic labelers
- 17 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.454 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Carisoprodol label of July 15, 2025, Orphenadrine label of September 10, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do carisoprodol and orphenadrine differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class muscle relaxants.
Generics: carisoprodol since 1979; orphenadrine since 1981 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: carisoprodol CIV; orphenadrine none.
| Carisoprodol | Orphenadrine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Muscle spasms and spasticity | Muscle spasms and spasticity |
| Pharmacologic class | Muscle Relaxant | Muscle Relaxant |
| 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. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 9, 1959 | May 10, 1957 |
| First generic approved | June 12, 1979 | July 16, 1981 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 24 labelers | 17 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0706 per tablet (Carisoprodol 350 mg tablet) | $0.454 per tablet (Orphenadrine ER 100 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +3% | +6% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 18,964 | 621 |
| DEA schedule | CIV | none |
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 carisoprodol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions