Dosage Forms And Strengths

250 mg Tablets: round, convex, white tablets, inscribed with SOMA 250

350 mg Tablets: round, convex, white tablets, inscribed with SOMA 350

Storage and Handling

250 mg Tablets: round, convex, white tablets, inscribed with SOMA 250; available in bottles of 100 (NDC 0037-2250-10) and bottles of 30 (NDC 0037-2250-30).

350 mg Tablets: round, convex, white tablets, inscribed with SOMA 350; available in bottles of 100 (NDC 0037-2001-01).

Soma DRUG INTERACTIONS

CNS Depressants

The sedative effects of SOMA and other CNS depressants (e.g., alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants) may be additive. Therefore, caution should be exercised with patients who take more than one of these CNS depressants simultaneously. Concomitant use of SOMA and meprobamate, a metabolite of SOMA, is not recommended.

CYP2C19 Inhibitors and Inducers

Carisoprodol is metabolized in the liver by CYP2C19 to form meprobamate. Co-administration of CYP2C19 inhibitors, such as omeprazole or fluvoxamine, with SOMA could result in increased exposure of carisoprodol and decreased exposure of meprobamate. Co-administration of CYP2C19 inducers, such as rifampin or St. John’s Wort, with SOMA could result in decreased exposure of carisoprodol and increased exposure of meprobamate. Low dose aspirin also showed an induction effect on CYP2C19. The full pharmacological impact of these potential alterations of exposures in terms of either efficacy or safety of SOMA is unknown.

Drug Abuse And Dependence

SOMA is not a controlled substance. Discontinuation of carisoprodol in animals or in humans after chronic administration can produce withdrawal signs, and there are published case reports of human carisoprodol dependence.

In vitro studies demonstrate that carisoprodol elicits barbiturate-like effects. Animal behavioral studies indicate that carisoprodol produces rewarding effects. Monkeys self administer carisoprodol. Drug discrimination studies using rats indicate that carisoprodol has positive reinforcing and discriminative effects similar to barbital, meprobamate, and chlordiazepoxide.

Carisoprodol side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using carisoprodol and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• paralysis (loss of feeling);
• extreme weakness or lack of coordination;
• feeling light-headed, fainting;
• fast heartbeat;
• seizure (convulsions);
• vision loss; or
• agitation, confusion.

Less serious side effects may include:

• drowsiness, dizziness, tremor;
• headache;
• depression, feeling irritable;
• blurred vision;
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• nausea, vomiting, hiccups, upset stomach.

What does my medication look like?

Carisoprodol is available with a prescription under the brand name Soma. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Carisoprodol