Carisoprodol (Soma) – Use To Relief Muscle Pains

Carisoprodol is a generic drug marketed under brand name soma. It is an oral muscle relaxant. It gives a short term relief from muscle pain and skeletal condition in adult. It is a white color tablet with a bitter taste.

WORKING:

It modulates the activities of neuro-transmitter in spinal cord and in brain. It blocks pain sensation between nerves and brain. It includes physio therapy to relieve pain . It reduces discomfort caused by stains, sprain and other muscle injuries. It focuses on the nerves that control the muscle. This drug influences the whole CNS. Due to this reason older people can use soma. It can treat other disease which aren’t listed as well.

DOSAGE:       

It is available in the form of oral tablet in two strengths

1. 250 mg
2. 350 mg

Take three times a day and at bed time. It is a short term course for two or three weeks. Adequate evidence of for long term use aren’t explained. Doctor’s prescribed it at a gap of 6 hours. But the medication can change from one patient to other.

SIDE EFFECTS: 

It is a very well tolerated drug. Though it gives quick relief from acute pain it shows some common side effects. But you  don’t need to worry. They are common as your body tries to adjust to the medicine. They will go away after a few  days.

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Sedation

Some other serious or major side effects that patient can experience . It is necessary to consult doctor regarding this. They are rare cases.

• Chest pain
• Chills, cold sweats
• Cough, fever
• Confusion, convulsions
• Faintness
• Sore throat, ulcers
• White spots on lips or mouth
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle spasm
• Unusual weakness

ADVANTAGES:

• It is useful as muscle relaxant
• It is a safe pain medication
• One can consume it on an empty stomach
• Relieves discomfort caused by strains, sprains and muscle injuries
• Give comfort in against acute pain
• Aged people can take to get relief from pain. Recent studies show that the elderly can use soma ,same as the younger adults.

DRAWBACKS:        

• No adequate studies to show adverse effects in pregnancy and breast feeding.
• It can lead to seizures.
• It is potential to cause withdrawal symptoms in long term treatment.
• Some times its use leads to aggression in behavior.
• It can seek attitude or addiction to this drug.
• It creates adverse effects with alcohol or drug addiction or abused substances.
• Over dose may be dangerous
• It contain sedative properties. This impairs mental and physical abilities required for the work like motor driving.
• It shows dependence to drug

PRECAUTION:

• It is necessary to take some precaution in certain cases if;
• Patient has an unusual allergy to this category of medicine.
• Takes some other medicine which can interact
• Person taking alcohol or tobacco along with this medicine
• Person having kidney disease
• Liver disease
• History of seizures

Don’t stop sudden dose of medicine. Avoid driving, using machine or anything else that can be dangerous.

FDA approved above drug in 2007. It is in market since 1959. As of 2015, the cost for a typical course of medication need less than US $ 25. It gives good results in case of muscle pain. But proper use of medicine along with rest and physio-