Soma

(carisoprodol)

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

Skip Upsides & Downsides section. Skip to side effects section.

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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    $52.32
  • Lowest price with coupon
    $12.75
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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

Download Fact Sheet
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
    First few weeksWeeks
    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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Alcohol
  • Don't drink alcohol while on this medication.
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
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Low hassle
    Reviewed carisoprodolon 3/22/2019Only muscle relaxer that works on me for my Fybromyalgia pain and spasms.
    58
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Muscle and joint pain
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Low hassle
    Reviewed carisoprodolon 10/13/2017Only take as needed u have to train your brain through some of the pain, nothing will ever completely take it away. And the long you wait to train that part of the brain the harder your life in pain will be. Trust me I no, but thats a whole other blog. Also the older one gets the brain reacts much slower to recover from over use.
    52
    Woman
    Just as needed
    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