Soma, aprescription drug is prescribed for muscle relaxation. Soma can be fatal inoverdose or combined with some medicines. Strict guidelines are required tostop abuse of Soma.



Carisoprodol, the generic name for Soma is prescribed frequently by physiciansfor muscle relaxation. Carisoprodol prescribers need to be made aware of itsabuse potential. Stricter controls may be necessary in the future to properlycontrol the prescribing and distribution of this potentially addictive agent.

To start with, some of the possible Side Effects are:-

Soma may cause dizziness, vertigo, ataxia, tremor, depressive reactions,syncope, agitation, irritability, headache and insomnia. Allergic oridiosyncratic reactions occasionally develop. They are usually seen within theperiod of the first to fourth dose in patients having had no previous contactwith the drug. Skin rash, erythema multiforme, pruritus, eosinophilia, andfixed drug eruption with cross reaction to meprobamate have been reported withSoma. Severe reactions have been manifested byasthmatic episodes, dizziness, angioneurotic edema, fever, weakness, smartingeyes, anaphylactoid shock, and hypotension.

Soma, a non-scheduled prescription drug, is a centrally acting syntheticskeletal muscle relaxant structurally and pharmacologically related tomeprobamate. This is a potential addictiveagent.

Soma is ingested orally. Many abuserstake it in combination with other drugs to enhance the effects of those drugs. Alcohol, heroin, hydrocodone (especially Vicodin),meprobamate, codeine, diazepam, and propoxyphene commonly are abused incombination with Soma. Abusers who combine Soma with Vicodin claim thatthis combination produces effects similar to those of heroin.

The substance undergoes hepatic biotransformation to three primary metabolites:hydroxycarisoprodol, hydroxymeprobamate, and meprobamate. The significant serumlevels of meprobamate after chronic use of carisoprodol may lead tomeprobarnate dependency:

Meprobamate dependence is a possible complication of chronic carisoprodol usedue to hepatic conversion of carisoprodol to meprobamate.

Withdrawal symptoms may result in severreactions like coma and seizures.

There have been reports of abuse of Soma, which is readily available on the internet,in the past and some of the cases were fatal.

A stern warning is issued to all users and would-be users of the drug to bevery particular on prescribed dosages.

Soma is no doubt one of the most popular and so far proven most effective painkillers but when taken improperly, it may do more harm than good on thepatient.