Soma
Generic Name: carisoprodol (Oral route)
kar-eye-soe-PROE-dol
Commonly used brand name(s):
In the U.S.
- Soma
- Vanadom
Available Dosage Forms:
- Tablet
Therapeutic Class: Skeletal Muscle Relaxant, Centrally Acting
 | |||||||||
 User Reviews & Ratings
Compare with other drugs.
| |||||||||
Uses For Soma
Carisoprodol is used to relax certain muscles in your body and relieve the discomfort caused by acute (short-term), painful muscle or bone conditions. However, this medicine does not take the place of rest, exercise, physical therapy, or other treatments that your doctor may recommend for your medical condition.
Carisoprodol is a skeletal muscle relaxant. It acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to relax muscles.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before Using Soma
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of carisoprodol in children below 16 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of carisoprodol have not been performed in the geriatric population.
Pregnancy
| Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| All Trimesters | C | Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women. |
Breast Feeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Adinazolam
- Alfentanil
- Alprazolam
- Amobarbital
- Anileridine
- Aprobarbital
- Bromazepam
- Brotizolam
- Butabarbital
- Butalbital
- Carisoprodol
- Chloral Hydrate
- Chlordiazepoxide
- Chlorzoxazone
- Clobazam
- Clonazepam
- Clorazepate
- Codeine
- Dantrolene
- Diazepam
- Estazolam
- Ethchlorvynol
- Fentanyl
- Flunitrazepam
- Flurazepam
- Halazepam
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Ketazolam
- Levorphanol
- Lorazepam
- Lormetazepam
- Medazepam
- Meperidine
- Mephenesin
- Mephobarbital
- Meprobamate
- Metaxalone
- Methocarbamol
- Methohexital
- Midazolam
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Nitrazepam
- Nordazepam
- Oxazepam
- Oxycodone
- Oxymorphone
- Pentobarbital
- Phenobarbital
- Prazepam
- Primidone
- Propoxyphene
- Quazepam
- Remifentanil
- Secobarbital
- Sodium Oxybate
- Sufentanil
- Temazepam
- Thiopental
- Triazolam
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Drug abuse or dependence, or history of—Use with caution. Dependence on carisoprodol may develop.
- Kidney disease or
- Liver disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.
- Porphyria, acute (enzyme problem)—Should not be used in patients with this condition.
Proper Use of carisoprodol
This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain carisoprodol. It may not be specific to Soma. Please read with care.
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. If this medicine is taken for a long time, it may become habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence). This medicine should only be used for 2 to 3 weeks.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For relaxing muscles:
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- Adults and teenagers 16 years of age and older—250 to 350 milligrams (mg) three times a day and at bedtime.
- Children and teenagers younger than 16 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Precautions While Using Soma
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.
This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy, drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; prescription pain medicine or narcotics; barbiturates; medicine for seizures; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your medical doctor or dentist before taking any of the above while you are taking this medicine.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
If your condition does not improve within two to three weeks, or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor.
Soma Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence not known- Black, tarry stools
- chest pain
- chills
- cold sweats
- confusion
- convulsions
- cough
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- fever
- loss of bladder control
- muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
- painful or difficult urination
- shortness of breath
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth
- sudden loss of consciousness
- swollen glands
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose- Bigger, dilated, or enlarged pupils (black part of eye)
- blurred vision
- change in consciousness
- confusion as to time, place, or person
- difficult or troubled breathing
- false or unusual sense of well-being
- hallucinations
- headache
- holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact
- inability to move eyes
- increased blinking or spasms of eyelid
- increased sensitivity of eyes to light
- irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
- loss of consciousness
- muscle stiffness or tightness
- pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
- sticking out of tongue
- trouble in breathing, speaking, or swallowing
- uncontrolled eye movements
- uncontrolled twisting movements of neck, trunk, arms, or legs
- unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness
- unusual facial expressions
- weakness of arms and legs
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common- Drowsiness
- Anxiety
- deep or fast breathing with dizziness
- dry mouth
- face is warm or hot to touch
- fainting feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
- heartburn
- irritability
- nausea
- nervousness
- numbness of feet, hands and around mouth
- pain or discomfort in chest, upper stomach, or throat
- redness to face
- restlessness
- sensation of spinning
- shakiness and unsteady walk
- sleeplessness
- trouble sleeping
- unable to sleep
- unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
- vomiting
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
The information contained in the Thomson Healthcare (Micromedex) products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.
The use of the Thomson Healthcare products is at your sole risk. These products are provided "AS IS" and "as available" for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Thomson Healthcare and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, THOMSON HEALTHCARE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Thomson Healthcare does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Thomson Healthcare products.
 |
Link to Page |  |
Print Page |  |
Email Page |  | Add to List |
More Soma resources
Compare Soma with other medications for the treatment of:
Nocturnal Leg Cramps, Muscle Spasm
