Generic Name: Carisoprodol
Typical Brand Name(s): Soma
What Is It Used For?
Soma is a muscle relaxant. It works by blocking nerve impulses
(or pain sensations) that are sent to your brain. Codeine is a
pain reliever. Codeine is in a class of drugs called narcotic
analgesics and it works by changing the way your body feels pain.
Soma is used, along with rest and physical therapy, to treat injuries
and other painful muscular conditions. Aspirin / Soma may also
be used for purposes other than those listed here.
How Is It Used?
Take Soma exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand
these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain
them to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water. The maximum
amount of Soma you should take in one day is 1,400 mg (4 tablets).
Are There Possible Side Effects?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop
taking Soma and seek emergency medical attention: an allergic
reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling
of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); paralysis (loss of feeling)
or extreme weakness; vision loss; agitation or tremor; red, black,
or bloody stools; or blood in your vomit.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Continue to take Soma and talk to your doctor if you experience:
drowsiness or dizziness; headache; depression; blurred vision
or small pupils; insomnia; hiccups; faint ringing in the ears;
or nausea, vomiting, or constipation. Side effects other than
those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any
side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Is It Safe?
Do not take Soma if you have acute intermittent porphyria. Codeine
is habit forming and should only be used under close supervision
if you have an alcohol or drug addiction. Before taking this medication,
tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, an
ulcer in your stomach or intestines, a bleeding or blood-clotting
disorder, urinary retention, an enlarged prostate, hypothyroidism,
a head injury, or Addison's disease. You may not be able to take
Soma, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during
treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Do not
take aspirin and Soma without first talking to your doctor if
you are pregnant. Do not take aspirin and Soma without first talking
to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Soma is not approved
for use in children younger than 12 years of age.
What About Interactions With Other Drugs?
Many drugs can increase the effects of Soma and lead to heavy
sedation. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you
are taking any of the following medicines: antihistamines such
as brompheniramine (Dimetane, Bromfed, others), chlorpheniramine
(Chlor-Trimeton, Teldrin, others), azatadine (Optimine), clemastine
(Tavist), and many others; narcotics (pain killers) such as meperidine
(Demerol), morphine (MS Contin, MSIR, others), propoxyphene (Darvon,
Darvocet), hydrocodone (Lorcet, Vicodin), oxycodone (Percocet,
Percodan), fentanyl (Duragesic), and codeine (Fiorinal, Fioricet,
Tylenol #3, others); sedatives such as phenobarbital (Solfoton,
Luminal), amobarbital (Amytal), and secobarbital (Seconal); phenothiazines
such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine
(Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine),
thioridazine (Mellaril), and trifluoperazine (Stelazine); or antidepressants
such as doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline
(Pamelor), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline
(Zoloft), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).
Aspirin will decrease the effects of some drugs. Tell your doctor
and pharmacist that you are taking Soma if any of the following
drugs have been prescribed for you: probenecid (Benebid) and sulfinpyrazone
(Anturane); angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors used
to treat high blood pressure and other heart conditions such as
benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), and enalapril (Vasotec);
other commonly used ACE inhibitors, including fosinopril (Monopril),
lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), quinapril
(Accupril), and ramipril (Altace); and beta-blockers used to treat
high blood pressure and other heart conditions such as acebutolol
(Sectral), metoprolol (Lopressor), propranolol (Inderal), atenolol
(Tenormin), and carteolol (Cartrol). Other over-the-counter and
prescription drugs may increase the effects of aspirin and cause
dangerous side effects.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Soma.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription
or over-the-counter medicines.
What If I Miss A Dose?
If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered; do not take if
it is almost time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed
dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up"
the dose to catch up.
How Should It Be Stored?
Store at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture.
Anything Else I Should Know?
Soma is a muscle relaxant. It works by blocking nerve impulses
(or pain sensations) that are sent to your brain. Soma is used,
along with rest and physical therapy, to treat injuries and other
painful muscular conditions.
NOTE: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute
for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist,
or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to
indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or
effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before
taking the product.
