Compare Soma vs. Skelaxin
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.
Skelaxin (metaxalone) is used for muscle spasms and musculoskeletal pain with mixed results.
Upsides
- Patients treated with Soma (carisoprodol) experienced improvement in function.
- Available in generic.
- Available in two different strengths.
- Can be used for muscle spasms and muscle pain if other medications have not worked.
- Available as generic.
- Slightly less sedation and side effects compared to other muscle relaxants.
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.
- Effects don't last that long. You need to take Skelaxin (metaxalone) up to 3-4 times daily.
- Several studies showed mixed results when Skelaxin (metaxalone) was compared with a sugar pill for treatment of muscle spasms and musculoskeletal pain.
- Can make you very drowsy or sleepy
- Even though a generic is available, it is still fairly expensive.
Used for
- Musculoskeletal pain
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$7.46
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$22.26
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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 Skelaxin (metaxalone) 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
- Sleepiness and dizziness
- Taking other medications that also cause sleepiness
- Recreational drug use
- Excessive alcohol use
- Serotonin syndrome
- Taking antidepressants
- Higher than recommended doses of Skelaxin (metaxalone)
- Liver damage
- History of liver disease
- Liver or Kidney problems
- History of liver disease
- History of kidney disease