Soma

Written by Helen Marshall BPharm, MRPharmS
Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Scheffel, PharmD
Updated on June 20, 2023

This article describes carisoprodol’s uses, side effects, and more. You’ll also find some coupon options to help save on the cost of carisoprodol.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about carisoprodol.

Is it safe to take carisoprodol with meloxicam, tapentadol, or naproxen?

It’s safe to take carisoprodol with meloxicam (Mobic) or naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve). Both these drugs are pain relievers that also reduce inflammation (swelling). They don’t interact with carisoprodol. In fact, your doctor may sometimes recommend taking one of these drugs with carisoprodol to help relieve muscle pain.

However, it might not be safe to take carisoprodol with tapentadol (Nucynta). Tapentadol is a synthetic opioid pain reliever. Like carisoprodol, it can cause drowsiness. Taking these medications together could make you extremely sleepy. Your doctor won’t usually prescribe them together unless there are no suitable alternatives.

To learn more about other pain relievers that you may take with carisoprodol, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What brand names are available for carisoprodol?

The brand-name version of carisoprodol oral tablet is called Soma. If you’re interested in taking this form of carisoprodol instead of the generic version, talk with your doctor.

How does carisoprodol work? And how long does it take to start working?

Carisoprodol works by reducing certain messages that are sent between nerves in your brain and spinal cord. This relaxes your muscles, which helps relieve muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain.

Carisoprodol starts working about 1.5–2 hours after taking a dose.

If you’d like to know more about how carisoprodol works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is misuse, withdrawal, or dependence possible with carisoprodol?

Yes, carisoprodol has a risk of misuse, dependence, and withdrawal.

Misuse means taking a drug in a way that’s not prescribed, usually for pleasurable effects. Some people may misuse carisoprodol for its relaxing and sedating effects. Misuse of carisoprodol can cause serious side effects. It can also lead to overdose and may be fatal.

Due to these risks, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified carisoprodol as a controlled substance. A controlled substance is a drug the U.S. government regulates due to the risk of dependence or misuse.

Long-term use of carisoprodol can lead to dependence on the drug. With dependence, you rely on a drug to function as usual, either physically or mentally. If you suddenly stop taking a drug you’re dependent on, you could have withdrawal symptoms. Due to the risk of dependence and withdrawal with carisoprodol, you shouldn’t take it for longer than about 2–3 weeks.

If you have more questions about misuse, withdrawal, or dependence, talk with your doctor.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as carisoprodol for certain conditions. Approved uses for carisoprodol are described below.

Use for musculoskeletal pain

Doctors may prescribe carisoprodol oral tablet for treating acute musculoskeletal pain. It’s taken for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment (up to 2 or 3 weeks).

With acute musculoskeletal pain, you have sudden, short-lived pain in your muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, or joints. This type of pain is usually caused by overuse or an injury, such as a sprain or strain. Examples include back pain and neck pain.

Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant. This means it relaxes your muscles. As a result, it helps relieve muscle spasms, stiffness, pain, and discomfort related to musculoskeletal problems.

Carisoprodol may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of carisoprodol and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about carisoprodol’s side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information for carisoprodol in the “Article resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of carisoprodol are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about carisoprodol’s side effects, see the prescribing information for carisoprodol in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Carisoprodol oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• drowsiness
• dizziness
• headache
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for carisoprodol” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of carisoprodol are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about carisoprodol’s side effects, see the prescribing information for carisoprodol in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Carisoprodol’s serious side effects include:

• seizures
• risk of misuse, dependence, and withdrawal*
• severe allergic reaction†

* For details about this risk, see the “Common questions about carisoprodol” section.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for carisoprodol” section.

Below, you’ll find information about carisoprodol’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of carisoprodol

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol* or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take carisoprodol, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for carisoprodol” section just below.

* It’s recommended that you do not drink alcohol while taking carisoprodol. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about avoiding alcohol while taking carisoprodol.

Warnings for carisoprodol

Some people should not take carisoprodol, and others should take it cautiously.

Carisoprodol could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether carisoprodol is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for carisoprodol, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Carisoprodol can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to carisoprodol or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe carisoprodol. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to carisoprodol, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of carisoprodol

You should not take more carisoprodol than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much carisoprodol, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and carisoprodol

Information about carisoprodol and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Carisoprodol and pregnancy

It’s not known whether carisoprodol should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Carisoprodol and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether carisoprodol should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

This article describes carisoprodol’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about carisoprodol or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How often should I take carisoprodol?
• Can I take other pain relievers with carisoprodol?
• Does carisoprodol come as a gel?
• Can children take carisoprodol?

• Carisoprodol tablets, for oral use CIV. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/b5cf032e-5ab6-4774-82b3-aaccd95418c3/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.