Soma

(carisoprodol)

●●●●●
3.5/ 5 average rating with 220 reviewsforSoma
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Relaxes your muscles.

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Our bottom line

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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Quick facts about Soma
  • Drug class: Musculoskeletal
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (carisoprodol)

Upsides

  • Patients treated with Soma (carisoprodol) experienced improvement in function.
  • Available in generic.
  • Available in two different strengths.
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What to expect from Soma, on one page

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People’s experience with Soma

220reviews so far. What do you think?

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.
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What to expect from Soma, on one page

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How it works

Soma (carisoprodol) is a muscle relaxant. It works in the brain to help calm down muscle spasms.

Quick facts about Soma
  • Drug class: Musculoskeletal
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (carisoprodol)

Used for

Dosage forms

  • Pill
People’s experience with Soma

220reviews so far. What do you think?

Prices and coupons

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What to expect when you take Soma (carisoprodol) for Acute muscle pain

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  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
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    First few monthsMonths
  • Effectiveness
  • Full effects
  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Possible side effects
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Headache
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Side effect rates for Soma (carisoprodol)

From 1108 clinical trials of Soma when taken for acute back pain (250 mg 3 times a day and at bedtime)
  • Drowsiness
    13%13%
    6%6%
  • Dizziness
    8%8%
    2%2%
  • Headache
    5%5%
    2%2%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Where we got our data »

The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Soma.

Soma (carisoprodol)
Placebo

People taking Soma felt side effect more

People taking Soma felt side effect less

No difference

Risks and Warnings for Soma (carisoprodol)

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    • Higher risk if:
    • › Taking other medications that also cause sleepiness
    • › Recreational drug use
    • › Excessive alcohol use
    • › Elderly

    Taking Soma (carisoprodol) can make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Avoid driving or doing other tasks that require concentration until you know how this medication affects you. Get up very slowly from a seated or lying down position.

Pharmacist Q&A

Soma (carisoprodol) questions for

Frequently Asked Questions

This medication treats acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions in adults.

Who is this drug for?

This medication treats acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions in adults.

Common concerns from people taking Soma (carisoprodol)

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Interactions
  • Not worth it
    Didn’t work
    Big hassle
    Reviewed Somaon 2/6/2020I recommend researching drug interactions before you take even 1 dose.
    49
    Woman
    Less than a week
    Muscle and joint pain
Alcohol
  • Don't drink alcohol while on this medication.
Pain
  • Worth it
    Low hassle
    Reviewed carisoprodolon 8/31/2019Relieves severe muscle pain and spasms. I have been taking it for many years, 3 times a day. Flexaril provides absolutely no relief for me.Tizanidine makes me sleep and provides no relief. I have debilitating muscle pain and spasms and can't take pain medications. Carispodol relieves the spasms and horrific pain and I have never experied any side effects from taking carisoprodol. I honestly wish "they" had to live with the pain that I experience and then hear what "they" say!
    65
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Muscle and joint pain
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Low hassle
    Reviewed carisoprodolon 8/27/2019Worked great for my back pain when taken along with Vicodin. I don’t take it anymore because my new pain specialist won’t prescribe it. If I could still get it I would still take it as it worked better than any other muscle spasm medication I have tried.
    51
    Man
    Two years or more
    Muscle and joint pain
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Some hassle
    Reviewed carisoprodolon 5/25/2019Worked well. My pain Mngmnt Drs won’t RX it to me anymore due to FDA pushback when RXd along with opioids. I’ve been switched to Skelaxen which works ok but doesn’t last as long. It’s less drowsiness causing but I liked that with the Soma, as I took it before bedtime.
    41
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Muscle and joint pain
Sleep
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Low hassle
    Reviewed carisoprodolon 3/27/2019The drowsiness doesn’t last long, though the pain relief lasts longer. I use for severe spasms.
    61
    Woman
    Just as needed
    Muscle and joint pain
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Low hassle
    Reviewed carisoprodolon 3/6/2019Soma is the only muscle relaxer that works for me, others either have no effect or bad side effects. Take them on an empty stomach. Eating shortly after may increase the strength of drowsiness. Overall great medicine that always works for me. Highly Recommended
    24
    Man
    Two years or more
    Muscle and joint pain
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Low hassle
    Reviewed Somaon 12/13/2016I take 1/2 of a 350mg tab when I'm unable to sleep due to wrenching back spasms and pain. Within 20-30 mins after taking Soma I fall asleep and have a sound rest.Taking a whole tab is a bit too strong for me. I don't take this pill on a regular nightly basis but rather use it as a last alternative. Sadly my MD will not prescribe it for me anymore. He put me on Flexeril and that med is simply awful! It's way too sedating with melancholic side effects. Soma worked so well.
    62
    Woman
    Muscle spasm