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Muscle Relaxers > Soma
Soma
SomaImportant Note
The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the
expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare
professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is
safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare
professional before using this drug.
Uses
Soma is a muscle relaxant. It works by blocking nerve impulses (or pain
sensations) that are sent to your brain. Codeine is a pain reliever. Codeine
is in a class of drugs called narcotic analgesics and it works by changing
the way your body feels pain. Aspirin / carisoprodol / codeine is used,
along with rest and physical therapy, to treat injuries and other painful
muscular conditions. Aspirin / Soma may also be used for purposes other than
those listed here.
How to Use
Take aspirin / carisoprodol / codeine exactly as directed by your doctor.
Take each dose with a full glass of water. The maximum amount of aspirin /
carisoprodol / codeine you should take in one day is 1600 mg of carisoprodol,
2600 mg of aspirin, and 128 mg of codeine (eight tablets).
Side Effects
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking
aspirin / carisoprodol / codeine and seek emergency medical attention: an
allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of
your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); paralysis (loss of feeling) or
extreme weakness; vision loss; agitation or tremor; red, black, or bloody
stools; or blood in your vomit. Other, less serious side effects may be more
likely to occur. Continue to take aspirin / carisoprodol / codeine and talk
to your doctor if you experience drowsiness or dizziness; headache;
depression; blurred vision or small pupils; insomnia; hiccups; faint ringing
in the ears; or nausea, vomiting, or constipation. Side effects other than
those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect
that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Precautions
Do not take aspirin / carisoprodol / codeine if you have acute intermittent
porphyria. Codeine is habit forming and should only be used under close
supervision if you have an alcohol or drug addiction. Before taking this
medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, an
ulcer in your stomach or intestines, a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder,
urinary retention, an enlarged prostate, hypothyroidism, a head injury, or
Addison's disease. You may not be able to take aspirin / carisoprodol /
codeine, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during
treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Do not take
aspirin and aspirin / carisoprodol / codeine without first talking to your
doctor if you are pregnant. Do not take aspirin and aspirin / carisoprodol /
codeine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby. Aspirin / carisoprodol / codeine is not approved for use in children
younger than 12 years of age.
Drug Interactions
Many drugs can increase the effects of aspirin / carisoprodol / codeine and
lead to heavy sedation. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if
you are taking any of the following medicines: antihistamines such as
brompheniramine (Dimetane, Bromfed, others), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton,
Teldrin, others), azatadine (Optimine), clemastine (Tavist), and many
others; narcotics (pain killers) such as meperidine (Demerol), morphine (MS
Contin, MSIR, others), propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet), hydrocodone (Lorcet,
Vicodin), oxycodone (Percocet, Percodan), fentanyl (Duragesic), and codeine
(Fiorinal, Fioricet, Tylenol #3, others); sedatives such as phenobarbital (Solfoton,
Luminal), amobarbital (Amytal), and secobarbital (Seconal); phenothiazines
such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil),
perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril),
and trifluoperazine (Stelazine); or antidepressants such as doxepin (Sinequan),
imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), fluoxetine (Prozac),
paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), phenelzine (Nardil), and
tranylcypromine (Parnate). Aspirin will decrease the effects of some drugs.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking aspirin / carisoprodol /
codeine if any of the following drugs have been prescribed for you:
probenecid (Benebid) and sulfinpyrazone (Anturane); angiotensin-converting-enzyme
(ACE) inhibitors used to treat high blood pressure and other heart
conditions such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), and enalapril
(Vasotec); other commonly used ACE inhibitors, including fosinopril (Monopril),
lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), quinapril (Accupril),
and ramipril (Altace); and beta-blockers used to treat high blood pressure
and other heart conditions such as acebutolol (Sectral), metoprolol (Lopressor),
propranolol (Inderal), atenolol (Tenormin), and carteolol (Cartrol). Other
over-the-counter and prescription drugs may increase the effects of aspirin
and cause dangerous side effects: oral anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin);
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin,
Rufen, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Oruvail), and naproxen (Anaprox,
Naprosyn, Aleve) other commonly used NSAIDs, including diclofenac (Voltaren,
Cataflam), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid),
indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin
(Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), and tolmetin (Tolectin);
other salicylates (forms of aspirin) such as salsalate (Disalcid), choline
salicylate, and magnesium salicylate; bismuth subsalicylate in drugs such
as Pepto-Bismol; and calcium supplements and antacids. Other drugs that
should not be combined with aspirin and carisoprodol include steroids such
as prednisone (Deltasone), oral antidiabetic drugs such as glipizide (Glucotrol)
and glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta), alcohol, lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith,
others), and cyclosporine (Sandimmune). Drugs other than those listed here
may also interact with aspirin / carisoprodol / codeine. Talk to your doctor
and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Notes
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Aspirin / Soma / codeine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If
you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Use alcohol
cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are
taking aspirin / Soma / codeine. Also, in combination with aspirin, alcohol
can be very damaging to your stomach. Do not share Soma with others for whom
it was not prescribed, since they may have a problem that is not effectively
treated by this drug.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time
for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly
scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication. Keep your
doses at least 4 hours apart from one another.
Storage
Store aspirin / Soma / codeine at room temperature away from moisture and
heat. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.
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