Overview Of Carisoprodol (Soma)

Carisoprodol, a prescription muscle relaxant, is often sold under the brand name Soma. It is a controlled medication and is only prescribed for short-term use. Typically, patients receive it for a maximum of three weeks. Some evidence indicates that it has serious side effects when used for long periods. These effects include withdrawal symptoms when individuals stop taking the medication, especially if they do so improperly.

Patients often take these muscle relaxant pills for muscle injuries. It can help with achieving muscle pain relief in the back and neck. Individuals may also use this medication as a sprained ankle treatment. Certain doctors prescribe it as a way to achieve short-term pain relief for back spasms as well. However, it is vital to understand carisoprodol and how it works before taking it to treat any condition.

How It Works

Carisoprodol is an oral muscle relaxant. It is not an injection or topical medication. Although researchers have documented the effects of carisoprodol, they have not established precisely why these effects occur. The best understanding is that this medication stops the nerves from sending pain signals to the brain. Even if the nerves are flaring up with pain, the brain cannot interpret the pain signals if they never reach it. Other researchers believe that the medication alters the way the pain-controlling nerves in the brain work. Carisoprodol might work in the spinal cord as well. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for use in 1959. However, carisoprodol is a habit-forming medication, and thus, it is a controlled substance. 

Continue reading to discover the uses and benefits linked to this medication next.