Soma

Soma is used to relax muscles and relieve pain and discomfort caused by muscle injuries. May cause drowsiness. Do not drive until you know how it affects you.

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Pharmacist Teresa Brucker, PharmD summarizes the uses, common side effects, and warnings for the Centrally-acting muscle relaxants class of ...
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Soma Overview

Updated: 

Soma is a prescription medication used to relax muscles and relieve pain due to muscle spasms. Soma belongs to a class of drugs called muscle relaxants, which help prevent muscle spasms without affecting overall muscle control.

This medication comes in tablet form and is taken 3 times a day and at bedtime, with or without food. It is recommended that Soma be taken for a maximum of 2 to 3 weeks.

Common side effects of Soma include headache, nausea, and vomiting.

Soma can cause drowsiness and dizziness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how Soma affects you. Alcohol may intensify this side effect.

How was your experience with Soma?

First, a little about yourself

Tell us about yourself in a few words?

What tips would you provide a friend before taking Soma?

What are you taking Soma for?

Choose one
  • Other
  • Muscle Cramp
  • Muscle Rigidity
  • Muscle Spasticity
  • Myositis
  • Pain
  • Spasm

How long have you been taking it?

Choose one
  • Less than a week
  • A couple weeks
  • A month or so
  • A few months
  • A year or so
  • Two years or more

How well did Soma work for you?

Did you experience many side effects while taking this drug?

How likely would you be to recommend Soma to a friend?

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Soma Cautionary Labels

precautionsprecautionsprecautions

Uses of Soma

Soma is a prescription medication used to relax muscles and relieve pain due to muscle spasms.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Manufacturer

Soma Drug Class

Soma is part of the drug class:

Side Effects of Soma

Common side effects of Soma include:

  • drowsiness
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • upset stomach

This is not a complete list of Soma side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with Soma. See “Drug Precautions” section.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Soma Interactions

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

  • alcohol
  • benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax)
  • opioids such as tramadol (Ultram), morphine (MS Contin), and oxycodone (Oxycontin)
  • tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil) and imipramine (Tofranil)
  • meprobamate
  • fluvoxamine (Luvox)
  • omeprazole (Prilosec)
  • rifampin (Rifadin)
  • St. John’s Wort

This is not a complete list of Soma drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Soma Precautions

Serious side effects have been reported with Soma including:

  • Drug dependence, withdrawal, and abuse: Soma should be taken for a maximum of 3 weeks and should not be taken with alcohol or CNS depressants such as benzodiazepines, opioids, or tricyclic antidepressants.
  • Seizures: Tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures. Only take the prescribed amount of Soma.
  • Hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction: An allergic reaction to Soma can occur. Call your doctor if you experience one or more of the following:
    • difficulty breathing or swallowing
    • hoarseness
    • rash or hives

Do not take Soma if you:

  • are allergic to Soma or meprobamate
  • have a history of acute intermittent porphyria (a disease affecting red blood cells)

Soma can cause drowsiness and dizziness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how Soma affects you. Alcohol may intensify this side effect.

Soma Food Interactions

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Soma, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving Soma.

Alcohol may intensify some side effects of this medication.

Inform MD

Before taking Soma, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

  • have a history of addictive behavior
  • have a history of seizures
  • have a history of kidney or liver disease
  • are allergic to Soma or meprobamate
  • are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Soma and Pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Soma falls into category C. This medication may be given to a pregnant woman if her healthcare provider believes that its benefits to the pregnant woman outweigh any possible risks to her unborn baby.

Soma and Lactation

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

The active ingredient in Soma is excreted in human breast milk. The effect of Soma on the nursing infant is not known.

Soma Usage

Take Soma exactly as prescribed.

This medication comes in tablet form and is taken 3 times a day and at bedtime, with or without food.  

It is recommended that Soma be taken for a maximum of 3 weeks.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of Soma at the same time.

Soma Dosage

Take Soma exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The recommended dosage of Soma is 250 to 350 mg taken three times a day and at bedtime. It is recommended Soma only be taken for up to three weeks.

Soma Overdose

If you take too much Soma call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

If Soma is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

Other Requirements

  • Store Soma at room temperature.
  • Keep in a tight, light-resistant container.
  • Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.