Soma
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action
Soma (carisoprodol) is a centrally acting muscle relaxant. It acts in the brain and blocks the transmission of pain signals to muscles.
Uses (therapeutic) of the Product
Soma (carisoprodol) is a muscle relaxant drug and it is used in relieving pain and stiffness of muscles that may arise due to sprain and strain. Soma is also used in to relieve spasm of muscles.
Direction of use of Soma
Soma is taken in two to three divided doses. The dose of Soma is 700-1400 mg per day and generally taken 350 mgs per dose on full stomach to avoid gastric irritation. Soma is not recommended in children below 12 years of age due to its side effects in children.
Dose of Soma if Missed
If a dose of Soma is missed than take it as soon as you remember it. But if the delay is more than an hour the dose should be skipped and the next dose taken as usual. You should never try to make the missed dose up by taking the two doses in short interval of time.
How to Store Soma
Soma should be stored away from light and in tightly closed container. The ideal temperature of storing Soma is in between 15-30 degree Centigrade, but it can be stored safely at room temperature.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Soma
Soma is contraindicated in acute intermittent porphyria and in pregnancy. Soma should be taken with caution in kidney and liver disease and dose reduced and monitored if required. In liver and kidney disease the normal metabolism of any medication (including Soma or carisoprodol) is disturbed and metabolism may be much slower than normal. Due to slow metabolism the medicines can cause toxicity and produce harmful effects even in normal or lower dose.
It is not clear if Soma can pass to the breast milk, but as a safety precaution Soma should be avoided in breast feeding mothers. Because of safety concern Soma is not approved and prescribed in children below 12 years of age.
Soma (carisoprodol) can cause irritation to mucosa of stomach. That is why Soma is given along with food (can be solid food or liquid food like milk or fruit juice) to avoid gastric irritation. If given on empty stomach Soma may cause ulcer in the stomach.
The best way to avoid the side effects of Soma is to consult a doctor before consuming it and follow the instructions given by the doctor.
Adverse Effects of Soma
Side effects of Soma are generally headache, dizziness, vertigo, irritability, agitation, sleeplessness or insomnia, syncope, agitation etc. There may be depressive reactions, tremor and ataxia also. There may also be skin eruption, skin rash, erythema multiforme, itching, eosinophilia etc. due to Soma.
Severe side effects like asthmatic attack, angioneurotic edema, low blood pressure and anaphylactic shock (most severe form of allergic reaction) can also occur. The signs of allergic reaction include difficulty in breathing, swelling of face, tongue, throat or lips. If any of the above mentioned side effects develop Soma should be stopped immediately and doctor should be consulted.
Consult your doctor immediately if any of the following signs/symptoms develop:
- seizure or convulsion;
- agitation or confusion;
- loss of vision or blurring of vision;
- fainting or headache;
- paralysis or paresthesia of any body part;
- very high pulse rate;
- generalized weakness or muscle in coordination.
Uncommon but serious side effects include allergy to Soma and idiosyncrasy (genetically determined abnormal reaction to the drug that is unrelated to its normal action). Both this uncommon side effects (idiosyncrasy and allergy) are seen within the period of fast and fourth dose who were not exposed to Soma before.
The above mentioned are not the only adverse effects that may be seen with Soma. There may also be side effects that are not mentioned above. If any untoward effect is noticed by you, please do not hesitate to consult your doctor immediately.
