Soma (carisoprodol) is a muscle relaxer that blocks pain sensations between the nerves and the brain.
Soma is used together with rest and physical therapy to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain or injury.
Soma should only be used for short periods (up to two or three weeks) because there is no evidence of its effectiveness in long-term use and most skeletal muscle injuries are generally of short duration.
Warnings
You should not take Soma if you have porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system) or are allergic to carisoprodol or meprobamate.
Carisoprodol may be habit-forming. Never share this medicine with another person. Misuse of habit-forming medicine can cause addiction, overdose, or death.
Carisoprodol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase drowsiness and dizziness caused by this medicine.
You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using Soma after using it over a long period of time. 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.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Soma if you are allergic to carisoprodol or meprobamate, or if you have:
porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system).
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
liver disease;
kidney disease; or
a seizure.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
Carisoprodol can pass into breast milk and may cause drowsiness in a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Soma is not approved for use by anyone younger than 16 years old.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine.
Flexeril
Cyclobenzaprine is used short-term to treat muscle spasms. It is usually used along with rest and physical therapy. It works by helping to relax the muscles.
How to use Flexeril Tablet
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor. Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer
What is Flexeril?
Cyclobenzaprine, sold under the brand name Flexeril, is a drug used for muscle spasms from the musculoskeletal state of sudden start. Cyclobenzaprine is available as prescription medicine in tablet form in doses up to 10 mg. It was approved in 1977 by the FDA under the brand name Flexeril. Unlike Carisoprodol, it has no addictive or uncontrolled status. You can buy Flexeril online from the certified online pharmacy taking a doctor’s prescription before consuming any medications
What is Soma?
Soma is a muscle relaxer that helps to blocks the pain stir between the nerves and the brain. It is used together with rest and physical remedies to cure skeletal muscle states such as pain or injury.
According to Consumer Report 2, experts advise against Soma (generic name carisoprodol) because it carries a high risk of abuse and addiction, is ineffective, and the FDA has not approved skeletal muscle relaxants for long-term use, said Charles E. Argoff, MD, professor of neurology at Albany Medical College and director of the comprehensive pain program at Albany Medical Center. Soma, in particular, is a bad choice because of its potential for abuse and addiction.
What are the side effects of Flexeril and Soma?
Side effects that occur in both the medications-
Drowsiness
Headaches
Dizziness
Nervousness
Side effects of Flexeril include-
Dry mouth
Fatigue
Nausea
Constipation
Blurred vision
Awful taste
Confusion
Acid reflux
Stomach pain
Discomfort.
Side effects of Soma include-
Agitation
Insomnia
Tremor
Irritability
Fainting
Depression
Abnormal heartbeat
Seizures
Soma vs. Flexeril
The Soma pill is a muscle relaxant used to treat musculoskeletal pain, so any alternative to the drug needs to act on the body in the same way. Users who want to try an alternative treatment option are in luck, as many other medications fall into the muscle relaxant category. For example, Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is another muscle relaxant used for short-term pain management due to musculoskeletal disorders.
Similarities and Differences
Soma vs. Flexeril comparison is quite interesting as these drugs are pretty similar. Their intended purpose is to achieve a similar effect, i.e., muscle spasms and pain relief. These are used as adjuncts to physical therapy and rest. Both are prescription-only drugs, which come in oral dosage form (tablets and capsules) and are not available over-the-counter in the USA.
Indications for Use
Carisoprodol is indicated for the short-term treatment of the pain and spasm associated with musculoskeletal disorders. While comparing Flexeril vs. Soma, the former is also used in the conditions mentioned above.
Side Effects
When comparing Soma vs. Flexeril, some common side effects are drowsiness, dizziness, headache, and nervousness. Their possible serious side effects are stroke, abnormal heartbeat, seizures, and heart attack.
Looking at Flexeril vs. Soma side effects, the different effects of the former medication are irritability, depression, tachycardia, weakness, raised heart rate, and difficulty speaking. In addition, addiction is also a side effect of prolonged use of Carisoprodol.
Some of the adverse effects of cyclobenzaprine that differ from Carisoprodol are dry mouth, confusion, fatigue, and gastrointestinal disturbances.
Which One Is More Effective?
When looking at Soma vs. Flexeril, both are effective in musculoskeletal pain management. However, Flexeril is reportedly a more effective muscle relaxant; hence, it is better for patients with physical dependence. Furthermore, the sedative nature of cyclobenzaprine aids patients with insomnia. On the other hand, medical professionals don’t prescribe Carisoprodol for the long-term treatment plan as it has the potential for addiction.
Conclusion:
Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) and carisoprodol (Soma) are muscle relaxants used with rest and physical therapy for short-term relief of muscle spasms associated with acute painful muscle and skeletal conditions.
However, after analysis of both of the medicine, and the convenience of the patient Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is better than the Soma (carisoprodol). Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) has a lesser reactive component than Soma (carisoprodol). Therefore Flexeril has lesser side effects than Soma. For the same reason usually, Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is prescribed to adult patients as well.
