What is Generic Soma (Carisoprodol)?
Generic Soma (Carisoprodol) is a muscle relaxer that works by blocking pain sensations between the nerves and the brain. Carisoprodol is a white, crystalline powder, having a mild, characteristic odor and a bitter taste. It is very slightly soluble in water; freely soluble in alcohol, in chloroform, and in acetone; its solubility is practically independent of pH.
What is Generic Soma (Carisoprodol) used for?
Generic Soma (Carisoprodol) is a muscle relaxant. Generic Soma is used to relieve muscle spasms and pains associated with acute injuries. It should only be used for a short time and should be combined with rest, physcial therapy or other non-drug therapies.
Generic Soma (Carisoprodol) Facts
Active Ingredients: carisoprodol.
Other Ingredients: alginic acid, magnesium stearate, potassium sorbate, starch, tribasic calcium phosphate.
Class and Mechanism: Carisoprodol is a GABA A receptor indirect agonist with CNS chloride ion channel conductance effects. Generic Soma (carisoprodol) produces muscle relaxation by blocking interneuronal activity and depressing transmission of polysynaptic neurons in the descending reticular formation and spinal cord. In addition to the desired skeletal muscle relaxing effects, carisoprodol produce weak anticholinergic, antipyretic and analgesic properties.
Generic Soma (Carisoprodol) Storage
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from moisture and heat (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
How to take Generic Soma (Carisoprodol)?
Take Generic Soma tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. If Soma upsets your stomach, take the tablets with food or milk. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Elderly patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction to this medicine and need smaller doses.
If OVERDOSE: Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a carisoprodol overdose may include shallow breathing, vision problems, fast heartbeat, confusion, hallucinations (seeing things), muscle stiffness, feeling light-headed, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).
What to do if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Who should not take Generic Soma (Carisoprodol)?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to Soma or meprobamate (Equanil, Miltown), or if you have porphyria.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have: epilepsy or other seizure disorder; liver disease or kidney disease. If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Soma, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
Do not stop using this medication suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 12 years old..
What should I watch for while taking Soma: You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how Soma affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol can make you more drowsy; avoid alcoholic drinks.
FOR WOMEN: This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Soma passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
What side effects may occur?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible: confusion; difficulty breathing; fainting spells; skin rash or redness; trembling; unsteadiness; unusual weakness or tiredness.
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome): dizziness; drowsiness; flushing (reddening of the skin); headache; nausea, vomiting.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Generic Soma (Carisoprodol) Drug Interactions
Many drugs can increase the effects of Generic Soma, which can lead to heavy sedation.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
· - antihistamines such as brompheniramine (Dimetane, Bromfed, others), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, Teldrin, others), azatadine (Optimine), clemastine (Tavist), and many others;
·
- narcotics (pain killers) such as meperidine (Demerol), morphine (MS Contin, MSIR, others), propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet), hydrocodone (Lorcet, Vicodin), oxycodone (Percocet, Percodan), fentanyl (Duragesic), and codeine (Fiorinal, Fioricet, Tylenol #3, others);
·
- sedatives such as phenobarbital (Solfoton, Luminal), amobarbital (Amytal), and secobarbital (Seconal);
·
- phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), and trifluoperazine (Stelazine); or
·
- antidepressants such as doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Soma. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Additional Information
This medication may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Soma should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.