Get Informed: Soma
Active Ingredient(s)
Carisoprodol
What does it do?
This product is used primarily to treat muscular pain. Its method of action is unknown.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 8:47 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:52 PM
Other Names
- Soma
- Carisoprodol
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 09 Apr 1959
- Est US Patients*
- 1,360,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Soma or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Soma
There have been no alerts regarding Soma during the past year.
Soma Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Soma used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 7,900 patients that use Soma (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle Spasms | 63% | 
|
| Pain | 13% |
|
| Insomnia | 13% |
|
| Pain-Musculoskeletal | 10% |
|
| Fibromyalgia | 7% |
|
| Panic Disorder | 3% |
|
| Other | 20% |
|
How well does Soma work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 7,900 users taking Soma (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 66%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Soma outweigh the bad things.
- 6%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Soma.
Common Side Effects of Soma
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 7,900 users taking Soma (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
40% of patients experience side-effects on Soma
6% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Soma
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Drowsiness
-
Fatigue
-
Memory/Speech Problems
-
Headache
-
= 10%
Global Patient Feedback for Soma (Carisoprodol) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I have a lot of back pain from a previous injury and my doctor put me on Soma. I can't take a lot of medications because my stomach is very sensitive to them. However, the Soma I can tolerate. The only thing is, I will take one for a few days in a row, and if I skip a day, i cannot sleep. I toss and turn, so then my back feels awful. Any suggestions?
26 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-08 00:42:23
Question/Comment:
I HAVE SEVERAL CERVICAL HERNIATED DISCS AND AM IN CANSTANT PAIN UNLESS I TAKE MY NORCOS & SOMAS AS PRESCRIBED! I CANNOT FUNCTION WITHOUT THEM. I KNOW I AM ADDICTED TO THE NORCOS BUT NOT THE SOMAS. THE SOMAS REALLY HELP ME RELAX & HELP WITH SPASMS. NORCOS DO NOT MAKE ME DROWSY. THEY MAKE ME VERY IRRITABLE & MOODY. SO THE SOMAS REALLY HELP TAKE THE EDGE OFF. I AM LOOKING INTO SPINAL DECOMPRESSION BECAUSE I'VE HEARD GOOD THINGS ABOUT IT.
56 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-29 09:11:30
Answer/Reply:
I have had eight back surgeries, they took 1 disc out and I also had a spinal decompression, along with many other things. I have screws in my back. Every surgery I had made me worse.
I am now in a wheelchair due to the main ijury and all the problems that followed. If I could set the clocks back, I would never have even had the first surgery.
I take Extra /Strength Vicodins, oxycontins, Soma's plus 9 other medications, I even have an internal morphine pump.
I have also had two surgeries on my neck. I have had two discs taken out f the neck along with other things.
I have finally decided No More Surgeries!! Yes, the doctor wants me to have another. THe neurosurgeon asked what I wanted. I said no more, he agreed. We now just treat the pain.
This all started back in September 1990 and has been going on for close to twenty years. I was told by many specialists, including doctor's from New England Baptist (specializes in back surgeries, sports injuries, etc) Hospital that if you truly need the drugs, you can not become addicted.
I never receive a buzz from them like people do that take the pills just to get high.
Do not have surgery just because you think you may be addicted. If you are in that small percentage like I was, then you can be made worse. Again, I had problems after every surgery.
Take the meds, be comfortable, and enjoy your life.
53 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-16 15:20:19
Answer/Reply:
In 2005 I had my first cervical surgery to keep from being paralized then the next year c4 disc above all the other repair Metal palate and 8 screws I had it replaced and metal plate taken out
then to my dismay something happened to my back spasms were so baad I couldn't function so back to surgery said it was a bone spyr and removed and I should not have any leg pain. Feb 19th had the surgery and I still have such bad muscle spasms sometimes I just scream. I am left with nerve pain in my right leg pain in my lower back has returned can't sit or stand for any extended period of time. if I sit more than 10 min when I try to stand it takes a while to get straightened up. I have cadivers and screw and pain but going to another pain clinic just had another MRI Monday I don't think they believe how bad the spasms and pain is. If I hve Soma 3 to 4 times a day and a decent pain killer I can at least function. Tired of being treated like a pill head I guess Sept 4th I will know what the other MRI shows. no more surgeries for me I can't do it again. I wish I knew why the pain clinics seemto all think you are an addict I sometimes wish the doctors that gave me the epidurals in my back (they didn't work either could just walk or limp in my shoes for about a week. Oh yeaah maybe she is right can't turn my head to left without turning my bldy and I still have muscle spasms as bad as before all three surgeries. Please give us a break. I just want to clean my house and play wiwth my grandchildren!!!!
54 yr. old female Posted 8/22/09
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-22 18:18:08
Answer/Reply:
ive been taking soma for 2yrs and ultram also an diclofenc sadly my pain hasn't been controled..my doctor is a stickler for non addictive drugs..so i have to ajust my medications myself..i just want to not be in pain..
47 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-16 17:21:48
Answer/Reply:
It sounds like you need a stronger pain reliever,but you're right about the Soma,it's the only muscle relaxer that works for me w/o the side affects.I also take Seroquel for sleep& ambien,but I usually fall asleep before I can take the ambien.Good luck to you.My c2-c7 are narrowed &everything that goes w/ that,so I know your pain.
46 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-16 18:15:48
Question/Comment:
I have chronic pain syndrome due to back and neck injuries and fibromyalgia. I have had 3 back surgeries including a spinal fusion which left me with a lot of muscle and nerve damage. I take soma only at night time to help me sleep. Other than that it doesn't do alot for my pain, but muscle spasms are much less during the night.
53 year old Male
Posted: 2009-06-12 21:53:34
Question/Comment:
I am on disability and have a hard time making it through the day a lot because of loneliness. When I found Soma, the drug that makes you sleep... ha, ha! I began using it during the day to help me sleep the hours away. BIG MISTAKE! Now I find myself addicted to it and not wanting my family to find out, and it's turned into a giant mess. My doc told me to start breaking them in half, and then into quarters, and so on until I weaned myself off entirely. I'm wondering if this is possible?? But I'm giving it a good honest effort. Good luck to all of you & God bless you all!
47 year old Male
Posted: 2009-06-03 04:54:12
Answer/Reply:
I take 3 somas no more in a day to help with spams and sometimes only 1 per day. Taking them for anything other than spams is wrong you need to speak to your Dr for something to either help you sleep or for tje main trouble I hear in your post which sounds like depression from being alone.
51 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-04 17:35:10
Answer/Reply:
I understand your point of not taking Soma for a condition not helped by this drug. However, when you have continuous spasms, taking it to subdue the spasms at night will help you sleep. I also take it mostly at night to help me sleep, that is what my dr. gave it to me for as well as spasms during the day if needed. Good luck to all!
51 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-15 17:15:18
Question/Comment:
I just got prescribed soma and I took one the other day before going to work to ease the pain in my lower back... I thought I was going to go to sleep standing up at work...they made me sleepy, sleepy! but then when I got home and went to bed all I did was toss and turn..has this happened to anyone else?
43 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-25 09:51:19
Answer/Reply:
want it was is that you felt better and the soma was great try 2 and you will love it.i am on lotab10 and soma for 6 years and it gave me back a life my 7 daughters are happy to see me a better mother,aim for the stars ...... shelby .... mississippi
49 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-05 20:10:41
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39
Patient Comments about
Soma