Soma

What is Soma used for?

Soma is a prescription medicine that is used to relax muscles.

Description

SOMA (carisoprodol) Tablets are available as 250 mg and 350 mg round, white tablets. Carisoprodol is a white, crystalline powder, having a mild, characteristic odor and a bitter taste. It is slightly soluble in water; freely soluble in alcohol, in chloroform, and in acetone; and its solubility is practically independent of pH. Carisoprodol is present as a racemic mixture. Chemically, carisoprodol is N-isopropyl-2-methyl-2-propyl-1,3propanediol dicarbamate and the molecular formula is C₁₂H₂₄N₂O₄, with a molecular weight of 260.33. The structural formula is:

Other ingredients in the SOMA drug product include alginic acid, magnesium stearate, potassium sorbate, starch, and tribasic calcium phosphate.

Before taking Soma, tell your doctor:

• If you are allergic to Soma; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have ever had porphyria.
• If you are taking meprobamate.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Soma with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Soma?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take Soma. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for alertness while you take Soma.
• Use Soma for short periods of time. If signs show up again, talk with the doctor.
• Do not take Soma for longer than you were told by your doctor.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Soma.
• Talk with your doctor before you use other drugs and natural products that slow your actions.
• This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.
• If you have been taking Soma on a regular basis and you stop it all of a sudden, you may have signs of withdrawal. Do not stop taking Soma all of a sudden without calling your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have any bad effects.
• Taking more of Soma or taking it more often than you have been told may cause it to not work as well. This is known as tolerance. Talk with your doctor if Soma stops working well. Do not take more than ordered.
• Abuse and misuse of Soma by itself or with certain other drugs may cause seizures, slow or shallow breathing, changes in alertness, coma, or death.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using Soma while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

How is Soma best taken?

Use Soma as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• If you take Soma on a regular basis, take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
• Many times Soma is taken on an as needed basis. Do not take more often than told by the doctor.

What are the side effects of Soma that I need to call my doctor about immediately?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Feeling very tired or weak.
• Seizures.

What are some other side effects of Soma?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Headache.
• Dizziness.
• Feeling sleepy.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If overdose is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Soma?

• Store at room temperature.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

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