Drugs On Review

What is Soma?

Soma is MedPointe Pharmaceuticals’ brand name for carisoprodol which is a systemic muscle relaxant used to treat muscle spasms due to injury or other causes. Soma is effective for treating muscle spasms caused by overuse or similar problems. It should not be used for more than two or three weeks, which should be sufficient time for damaged muscles to heal. Longer use is discouraged because of the abuse potential of Soma. Soma is also of use in the treatment of fibromyalgia pain.

To date the mechanism of Soma in relieving muscle spasms is poorly understood. It is apparent that it works within the central nervous system and not directly on the muscles. It is metabolized in the liver to meprobamate, a barbiturate with anxiolytic and sedative properties which appears to be responsible for the abuse potential of the drug.

What does Soma look like?

Soma is sold as round white pills in a strength of 250 or 350 mg, imprinted respectively with “Soma 250” and “37 Wallace 2001 Soma”. It is also available as Soma Compound, a formulation of 325 mg of Soma and 200 mg of aspirin in an orange and white speckled tablet imprinted with “Soma C Wallace 2103” and as Soma compound with Codeine, in a yellow oval tablet containing 325 mg of Soma, 200 mg of aspiring and 16 mg of codeine, imprinted with “Soma CC Wallace 2403”. There are also a number of other generic presentations of Soma on the market.

Soma dosing and administration

The standard starting dose of Soma is either 250 mg or 350 mg three times a day and at bedtime for a maximum of two or three weeks. It may be taken with or without food. Because Soma may cause drowsiness, your doctor may recommend that you take it only at night.

Common adverse effects from Soma

Common side effects of Soma include drowsiness, dizziness and headaches. More serious side effects which should be reported to your doctor include seizures, fainting, tachycardia, depression, cravings for Soma and allergic reactions. Other less serious and less common effects which may occur are postural hypotension, flushing, vertigo, coordination problems, tremor, agitation, irritability, fainting, insomnia, nausea, vomiting and throat pain.

Some warnings and precautions

You should inform your doctor if you have any history of substance abuse, including alcohol, or any history of seizures, liver or kidney disease, porphyria or any kind of allergies.

Interactions with Soma

Soma has the potential for dangerous interaction with alcohol, armodafinil, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, carbamazepine, some antibiotics or antifungals, certain antidepressants, some proton pump inhibitors, delavirdine, gemfibrozil, modafinil, narcotics and opiates, phenytoin, ticlopidine and sleep medications.

What if I take an accidental overdose of Soma?

Symptoms of Soma overdose may include headaches, muscle coordination problems, rigidity, blurred vision, dilated pupils, muscle spasms, delirium, hallucinations, hypotension, depressed respiration, coma and death. If you suspect that you or another person may have taken an overdose of Soma you should seek urgent medical attention. Vomiting should not be induced in the case of a Soma overdose. A doctor may use a stomach pump, otherwise treatment consists of supporting breathing and other supportive treatment.