Soma Pill: Some Cautions Before You Take It

Muscle relaxers are a group of pain relief medications specialized in the treatment of muscle pain. Doctors mostly prescribe these pain relievers as an aid in the overall recovery from muscle pain. Carisoprodol is one such popular muscle relaxer which is trusted by most doctors. It is sold under the brand name Soma or Soma pill.

Muscle pain can be deterring to health. It can occur due to an injury suffered from excessive physical activity, a viral or bacterial infection, surgery or the like. An excessive strain on a muscle or a group of muscles can tear the tissues leading to muscle damage. This can lead to muscle pain which may be confined to a particular tissue or a group of muscle tissues.

Let us find out how this Soma pill can work in order to drive away muscle pain.

What is Soma Pill used for?

Carisoprodol or Soma Pill is used in the treatment of mild to moderate levels of acute pain. It has been approved and marketed since 1959.

It is a type of muscle relaxer that can act as an effective painkiller. By binding to certain receptors, this medication can block out the painful sensations between the brain and the nerves. As a result, it simply changes the brain’s perception of pain.

It also acts as a central nervous system stimulant. By inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin by the nerves and ensuring its availability in the brain, it can help elevate mood and reduce the pain induced anxiety. Hence, it is also known as an effective mental relaxer due to such mood-elevating effects.

Important points to remember before taking Soma pill-

1)    Soma (Carisoprodol) can have possible side effects if you do not use it as per prescription instructions. These are-

i)    Mild headache

ii)    Weakness

iii)    Dizziness

iv)    Drowsiness

v)    Skin rash

vi)    Sore throat

vii)    Indigestion

viii)    Stomach trouble

2)    It is advisable to let your doctor know about any other prescription or non prescription medications you have been taking. A few of these include-

i)    Anti-fungal medications containing ketoconazole

ii)    Antibiotics containing erythromycin or linezolid

iii)    Anti-seizure medications

iv)    Anti-depressants

v)    Medications for vomiting and nausea

vi)    Other painkillers or muscle relaxers

vii)    Smart drugs like Modafinil, Armodafinil or the like

viii)    Other herbal products or non-prescription medications.

3)    If you are suffering from any other medical health condition that relates to cardiac, hepatic, metabolic, neuronal or renal health, let your doctor before you take Soma pill. This medication might not be compatible with such health conditions.

4)    Also, this pain medication should not be taken during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, do not take this medication as it can possibly lead to a miscarriage or birth defects in the unborn baby.  

Similarly, breastfeeding mothers should also not take the risk of using this drug in such conditions as it can easily pass into the breast milk and harm the nursing baby.

How to take Soma pill for safe results?

The ideally recommended dose of Soma pill is 250 to 350 mg which you can take three times a day and at bedtime. Make sure to take the medication at the same time each day.

It is not advisable to skip doses or take double doses at the same time.  If you happen to miss a dose, ask your doctor regarding what to do in such a case. 

Soma 500 mg is the maximum recommended dose which you should only under severe conditions. It is a strong dose which can treat severe pain with ease. However, you should not take this medication without the approval of your doctor.

The maximum period for which you can use Soma pill is 3 weeks. Do not use this medication for an extended period of time.

This medication can be taken with or without food. Also, avoid the consumption of alcoholic drinks so as to stay away from undesirable interactions.

Do not frequently increase or decrease the dose without the approval from your doctor. Also, avoid overdosing on these medications as it can lead to drug accumulation in the body, leading to addiction.