Compare Soma vs. Robaxin
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
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
Relaxes your muscles.
Robaxin (methocarbamol) effectively relieves muscle spasms, but it can cause drowsiness and interfere with your ability to drive.
Upsides
- Patients treated with Soma (carisoprodol) experienced improvement in function.
- Available in generic.
- Available in two different strengths.
- Effective for relieving muscle spasms and pain.
- For those with trouble swallowing, the pills can be crushed and mixed with food or liquid.
- Available in generic form and cheaper than other muscle relaxants.
- Might be a better treatment option for those with a history of drug abuse since Robaxin (methocarbamol) has a low potential for causing addiction and dependence.
Downsides
- 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.
- Robaxin (methocarbamol) can make you sleepy so you might not be able to drive or do certain activities requiring concentration.
- Need to take a few times throughout the day to maintain effect.
- Might not be safe to use in people age 65 or older due to increased sensitivity to side effects such as drowsiness.
- Researches do not know the safety and effectiveness of Robaxin (methocarbamol) in people under age 16.
- Can be dangerous when used together with other medicines that also cause drowsiness such as narcotics.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$6.78
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$8.12
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Reviews
220 reviews so far
61%
saidit'sworth it
39%
saiditworked well
9%
saidit'sa big hassle
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Side effects
The Robaxin (methocarbamol) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- 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
- Drowsiness
- Taking other medicines that also cause drowsiness
- Drinking alcohol
- People age 65 or older
- Harm to fetus (unborn baby)
- Women who want to or can become pregnant
- Pregnant women