Compare baclofen vs. Soma
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Relaxes your muscles.
Lioresal (baclofen) is a first choice treatment for muscle spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries, but it's not recommended for other types of muscle spasms.
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3.5/ 5 average rating with 33 reviewsforbaclofen
Relaxes your muscles.
Soma (carisoprodol) is used for muscle spasms and muscle pain but it's not considered a first-choice treatment and not meant for long-term therapy.
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3.5/ 5 average rating with 220 reviewsforSoma
Upsides
- A better option for seniors compared to other muscle relaxants since it has fewer side effects than other similar medicines.
- Lioresal (baclofen) is available as a generic and is a relatively inexpensive medication.
- Patients treated with Soma (carisoprodol) experienced improvement in function.
- Available in generic.
- Available in two different strengths.
Downsides
- Except for specific muscle spasms caused by brain injury or multiple sclerosis, Lioresal (baclofen) is not a recommended medicine.
- If you've been taking Lioresal (baclofen) regularly for a long time, you'll need to get off of it slowly.
- Lioresal (baclofen) can make you sleepy.
- If you've had a stroke, Lioresal (baclofen) may not work as well, and you're more likely to experience side effects.
- Not first choice for treating muscle spasms or muscle pain, because it can cause dependence.
- Can cause dizziness and sleepiness.
- Not meant for long-term therapy, because it hasn't been shown to be effective after taking it for a short period.
- Can cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it suddenly.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$13.64
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$5.52
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Reviews
33 reviews so far
61%
saidit'sworth it
55%
saiditworked well
15%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Lioresal (baclofen)?
Leave a review220 reviews so far
61%
saidit'sworth it
39%
saiditworked well
9%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Soma (carisoprodol)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
Risks and risk factors
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Stopping Lioresal (baclofen) too quickly
- Driving impairment
- Taking with alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- Age 65 or greater
- Seizures
- Higher dose
- Using other medicines that can cause seizures
- History of seizures
- Alcoholism
- Eating disorders
- Brain infections
- Sleepiness and dizziness
- Taking other medications that also cause sleepiness
- Recreational drug use
- Excessive alcohol use
- Elderly
- Abuse, dependence and withdrawal
- Prior history of drug abuse
- Taking Soma (carisoprodol) for a long time
- Seizures
- Prior history of overdoses of drugs of abuse, recreational drugs, or alcohol