A Skeletal Muscle Relaxant

Soma is a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant, although it does not work to directly relax tense skeletal muscle. Instead, it relieves acute muscle spasm, through its sedative properties.

Generally, Soma is prescribed as just one part of a pain-management program, in addition to rest, physical therapy and other strategies for the relief of pain associated with acute musculoskeletal conditions. In patients who suffer from acute porphyria or who have an allergic reaction to carisoprodol- or meprobamate-related compounds, Soma may be contraindicated.

As with all medications, use of Soma carries some potential risks. Patients should first be aware of the sedative properties of Soma, an effect that may significantly impair the user's ability to operate a motor vehicle or other machinery. Care should be taken in performing these tasks until the effect on the user is fully determined.

There is a potential for the forming of a dependence on Soma. For those with a history of substance abuse problems, Soma ought to be prescribed with extreme caution. Other side effects of the drug may include extreme weakness, dizziness, temporary vision loss, agitation, confusion and disorientation. Generally, symptoms subside within several hours, although the patient may require a short hospital stay to assist in managing the effects.

The degree of safety with which a pregnant or breastfeeding woman may use Soma is yet undetermined, and as a result the drug may not be suitable for use by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or those who may become pregnant. Further, it has been shown that the concentration of Soma in users' breast milk is in concentrations of between two and four times more than that of maternal plasma. Therefore, use by mothers who are breastfeeding may not be recommended.

In rare cases, patients have experienced seizures while using Soma, both those patients who have had previous seizure disorder and those with no such history. Further, because Soma is metabolized by the kidney and excreted by the kidneys, to help avoid excess accumulation in the body. Because of that, administration of Soma to patients experiencing diminished functioning of the liver or kidneys ought to be accompanied by a high degree of caution.

Other possible side effects of the drug include tachycardia, flushing of the face, vertigo, dizziness, syncope, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, and others.

An overdose of Soma can cause depression of the central nervous system, which can lead to coma in sever cases. Overdose can also result in shock, respiratory depression, seizures, and death in rare cases. Patients are advised to seek medical attention immediately if they experience any of the following: blurred vision, tachycardia, euphoria, respiratory depression, headache, hallucination, confusion, muscular incoordination, or rigidity of the muscles.