Soma also known by the name Carisoprodol is a medication that is prescribed to relieve musculoskeletal pain or any discomfort caused due to painful bone or muscle conditions. It is often recommended along with proper dietary habits and physical exercise, or other therapies that may be prescribed by your doctor or therapist. It is a controlled substance that can be bought only using prescription medicine from your doctor. It is a centrally acting medication that is available in the form of tablets.

Instructions For Soma Usage:

Soma is a short-term usage drug and should be taken only for a period prescribed by your doctor. Strictly adhere to the dosage amounts recommended by your doctor and do not take more than necessary. Higher amounts do not mean faster relief. Soma Carisoprodol is an oral drug that can be taken with or without food. Dosage amounts are based on your medical history, health, age, and response to treatment.

Do not stop its usage unless advised so by your doctor. Abruptly stopping can cause one to experience withdrawal symptoms such as sleeping difficulties, stomach cramps, nausea, and headache. If you wish to stop the usage of the medication. Your dosage levels will be tapered as per your doctor’s instruction. Withdrawal symptoms also occur even when taking the prescribed doses for a long time. The medication is usually prescribed for 3 weeks.

Patients who have abused drugs in the past are more vulnerable to developing an addiction. Consult your doctor and follow their advice regarding your individualized dosage amounts.

Keep the Following In Mind Before Taking Soma:

  • Do not take the medication if you are allergic or hypersensitive to Carisoprodol or any of the active ingredients of the medication,
  • Do not take any medications for cold, cough, allergies, sedatives, or sleeping pills. If you are on simultaneous prescription on any of these aforementioned medications, inform your doctor.
  • This medication is not advisable for those suffering from renal or hepatic disorders
  • It is highly not recommended if you are planning to get pregnant, or pregnant, or a lactating mother. The components pass on to the child and cause early withdrawal symptoms. It is also not recommended if you are older than 65 years. If you are suffering from any intolerable pain under such circumstances get the advice of your doctor.
  • Do not take Soma if you have a low seizure threshold.
  • The medication makes you feel drowsy, so do not drive a car or perform any sort of activities that require your concentration.
  • Avoid consumption of alcohol while under Soma therapy
  • Do not use Soma if you have Porphyria, a genetic enzyme disorder that affects the skin and the nervous system.

Note: Not recommended for children below the age of 16 and for older adults who are sensitive to the effects of Soma.

Can I Take Soma If I am Pregnant?

Consult your doctor before you take it but most medical studies show that It is not recommended to be taken during pregnancy as it may affect the fetus. Mothers who have taken the medication during pregnancy experienced withdrawal symptoms such as abnormal crying, diarrhea, vomiting, and irritability. These symptoms can be manifested in the newborn child also. Inform your doctor immediately if you find any of these symptoms in your child. For lactating mothers, breastfeeding is not recommended while taking this drug. The components are eliminated via the breastmilk which will have undesirable effects when consumed by the child.

Although there are no conclusive results whether Soma caused birth-associated issues, miscarriages, adverse maternal or fetal outcomes it is advisory that you use the medication carefully under such conditions.

Can I Drink Alcohol While Taking Soma?

Taking Soma Carisoprodol with alcohol is one of the most commonly used methods for recreational use of the medication. The drowsiness that is associated with the consumption of the medication increases severely when consumed along with alcohol. Apart from the pain relief properties, the medication also causes a euphoric high that is much sought out after by abusers. Due to the depressing activity of the brain activity, added to the metal relief and combination of Soma and Alcohol also cause excessive sleepiness and sedation.

Both these substances act on the Central Nervous System, they interact with the GABA receptors in the brain by relaxing the skeletal muscles by interrupting the pain signals that are being sent to the brain. This pain relief effect along with the full-body sedation due to interrupted neural transmission causes a sense of euphoria. To experience more of this effect, users tend to take more than the desired amount which increases the risk of overdose, and memory issues.

Does Taking Soma Have Side Effects?

First-time users tend to experience the following side effects, (Less Severe)

  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Headache

If experiencing the following condition, consult your doctor immediately. (Less Severe)

  • Allergic reactions that cause inflammation on the skin
  • Hives
  • Rashes
  • Itching
  • Wheezing
  • Bronchospasm

Other Side effects, (Less Severe)

  • Hiccups
  • Increased nervousness
  • Irritation of the Stomach Or Intestines

The following are rare and serious side effects. If experiencing such conditions, it is necessary to consult your doctor as there is a high risk of these effects causing potential dangers:

  • Fainting
  • Seizures
  • Fever due to Soma consumption
  • Anaphylaxis
  • Angioedema
  • Increased heart rate
  • Decreased count of white blood cells
  • Pancytopenia (A blood disorder where the count of  all types of blood cells are reduced)
  • High levels of Eosinophils in the Blood

Is Soma Overdose Possible?

Taking this short-term prescription medicine for more than the required period can cause dependence on the medication. When taking Soma Carisoprodol, follow the instructions exactly as advised by your doctor. Using this medication can be habit-forming and can cause addiction, overdose, and in extreme cases lead to coma and even death. Do not suggest this drug for any of your friends as it is against the law and also the body condition varies for each individual therefore prescribing the medication without proper consultation can have dangerous consequences.

The optimal Soma dosage is prescribed to be taken three times a day in divided doses. Not more, not less. Taking higher doses can cause withdrawal symptoms when you stop its usage. The duration of therapy should not exceed more than 3 weeks.

Soma is a medication capable of causing an overdose. It causes sleepiness, giddiness, and feelings of relaxation. These effects are what boosts people who seek to use the drug for recreational purposes. Addiction is characterized by the user craving more and more of the drug and constantly having the urge to refill for fear that they may run out of their medication. Once they realize they’ve been addicted it is difficult to stop the usage. Their bodies are so used to taking the medication that they cannot function efficiently without its effects. There has been a rise in the number of patients coming in for treatment due to Soma overdose according to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Symptoms of Soma overdose include;

  • Increased heart rate
  • Experiencing breathing difficulties
  • Problems in vision
  • Hallucinations
  • Confusion
  • Fainting
  • Convulsions
  • Muscle stiffness
  • coma

The overdose is fatal and if timely help is not given can even lead to death.

Due to the sedative effect of the medication, the overdosed patient may be in a severe sedated state with slow and shallow breathing. It is quite difficult to differentiate whether the patient is experiencing a mere side effect of an overdose symptom. Reports have shown that there are almost 2million cases of overdose in America every year.

Treatment:

Call the emergency helpline number as soon as possible. The patient will then be treated based on the severity of the overdose. Various methods such as providing the patient activated charcoal, keeping them under airway support, keeping them active by infusing fluids through the vein and gastric lavage where the toxins are flushed from the stomach.

Delaying treatment can cause the patient to lose their life too.

How To Use Soma In The Right Manner?

The medication should be taken exactly in the dosage amounts as prescribed by your doctor.

If experiencing any adverse reactions and if the symptoms persist consult your doctor immediately.

Take the medication three times a day, before or after food based on the instruction of your doctor.

When you want to stop the usage of the medication, talk to your doctor rather than take the decision on your own. It does not work well without the supervision of a physician.

Soma therapy includes proper rest and physical exercise.

Store the medication in a cool and dry place away from the reach of children and pets and direct sunlight.

Keep track of your prescription medication to avoid any misuse or improper usage of the drug.