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What is Soma
 Soma
is a muscle relaxant. It works by blocking nerve impulses
(or pain sensations) that are sent to your brain.
Soma
is used, along with rest and physical therapy, to treat injuries
and other painful muscular conditions.
Soma
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Soma
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or
performing other hazardous activities. Soma 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
Soma.
Who should not take Soma Do not take Soma if you have acute intermittent porphyria.
Before taking Soma, tell your doctor if you have
kidney or liver disease. You may need a lower dose or special
monitoring during your therapy.
It is not known whether
Soma will harm an unborn baby. Do not take Soma without
first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
It is also not known whether Soma passes into breast milk.
Do not take Soma without first talking to your doctor if
you are breast-feeding a baby.
Soma is not approved
for use in children younger than 12 years of age.
How should take Soma Take Soma exactly as directed by your doctor. If
you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass of water.
The maximum amount
of Soma you should take in one day is 1,400 mg (4 tablets).
Store Soma at room temperature away from moisture
and heat.
If you miss a 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. Try to keep your
doses at least 4 hours apart.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of a Soma overdose include low blood pressure (weakness,
fainting, confusion), decreased breathing, and unconsciousness.
Avoid while taking Soma Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or
performing other hazardous activities. Soma 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
Soma.
Possible side effects of Soma If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking Soma 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; or
- agitation or
tremor.
Other, less serious side effects may be more
likely to occur. Continue to take Soma and talk to your
doctor if you experience
- drowsiness or dizziness;
- headache;
- depression;
- blurred
vision;
- insomnia; or
- hiccups.
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.
What other drugs will affect Soma Many drugs can increase the effects of Soma, which
can 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).
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with Soma.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription
or over-the-counter medicines. |
