How Long Does Soma Stay In The System?

Soma, also known by its generic name, Carisoprodol, is a medication primarily prescribed for short-term acute pain and discomfort. It belongs to a class of drugs called skeletal muscle relaxants that block pain stimulation between the nerves and the brain.

How long does Soma stay in your system? This is one question most Carisoprodol users often wonder. Patients and healthcare professionals need to know how long the muscle relaxer stays in the system to prevent potential drug interactions and adverse effects. This information also helps to understand factors influencing its clearance and its implications for patient care and medication management.

How Long Does It Take To Eliminate Soma?

Soma is eliminated via renal excretion. After the drug's metabolism, both Carisoprodol and Meprobamate are eliminated mainly through the kidneys. Meprobamate is the active metabolite of Carisoprodol formed during the drug's metabolism.

The half-life of Carisoprodol and Meprobamate are primary factors determining how long Soma stays in your system. 

Carisoprodol Half-life

According to a study by Till Conermann et al., the average half-life of Carisoprodol is  1.7 to 2 hours. It indicates that after administration, the body takes about 2 hours to eliminate half of the Carisoprodol dosage.

Meprobamate Half-Life

The potency of Carisoprodol and Meprobamate is different, and so is their excretion time. 

The half-life of Meprobamate in one dose of Soma 350mg is approximately 10 hours, and it can be up to 48 hours with long-term usage [3]. This indicates that eliminating Meprobamate completely from the system takes about 4 days.

Considering these factors, most of the Soma and its metabolites would be eliminated from the body within a few days after the last dose.

Other Factors Influencing The Elimination Time

Certain other factors that impact the duration of Soma in the system are-

• Dosage- The higher the dosage, the longer it will take the body to eliminate Soma.

• Frequency of Use- Regular or frequent use of Soma can cause drug accumulation in the body, prolonging its elimination time.

• Metabolism- Metabolic rate varies based on age, gender, amount of physical activity, weight, and hormone function. Individuals with a slow metabolism take longer to eliminate Soma.

• Age- The metabolic rate declines with age. Hence, older people have a slow drug elimination time.

• Liver and Kidney Function- Soma is metabolized in the liver and eliminated through the kidneys. Any impairment in these organ functions can impact its clearance time.

• Concurrent Medications- Using other medications with Soma can cause interaction, affecting its metabolism and elimination rate.

• Food- Eating a heavy meal with the Soma pill can affect the mechanism of action (MOA), leading to slow metabolism and elimination.

• Fat Percentage With Body Mass- Soma is a lipophilic drug or fat-soluble medication that can be retained in the body. Thus, the fat percentage in the body can affect the elimination time of the Soma pill from the system. 

• Genetics of user- Genetic factors related to drug metabolism enzymes, such as CYP2C19 polymorphisms, can influence how quickly or slowly Soma is eliminated.

• Gender- Studies have shown that gender impacts drug clearance rates, making Soma last longer in females.

Does Soma Show Up On A Drug Test?

Yes, the presence of Soma can be detected in different parts of the body. Soma drug tests for the presence of Carisoprodol and Meprobamate can be performed on blood, urine, hair follicles, and saliva samples. 

Soma Blood Test 

Blood testing can detect Soma by measuring the serum concentration of carisoprodol and meprobamate in the bloodstream.

Soma pill and its traces may be present in the blood sample for up to 12 hours. Tests conducted within this time frame can detect the presence of carisoprodol and meprobamate in the blood.

How Long Does Soma Stay In Urine? 

Soma drug tests can detect its presence in the urine for 2 to 3 days from the last dosage consumed. 

In some users, the presence of Carisoprodol may be higher, whereas, in others, Meprobamate may be detected in more significant amounts. This variation in their concentration is due to CYP2C19 metabolism. People with rapid CYP2C19 metabolizers have an increased concentration of Carisoprodol, whereas others show higher levels of Meprobamate. 

Soma Saliva Test 

Although saliva testing is less common, it can detect recent Soma use by assessing saliva samples for traces of the drug and its metabolites. This test shows the presence of Soma or its metabolite for up to 4 hours after administration. 

Soma Hair Test 

Soma can be detected in the hair for about 30 days (1 month) after the last dosage. A drawback of this drug test is that it takes longer for the metabolite to appear on the hair follicles. 

Theoretical Evaluation: How Long Does Soma Stay In Your Urine, Hair And Blood?

Let's theoretically evaluate the time needed by the body to eliminate Soma based on its half-life. So, let us consider the administration as "zero hour." With 2 hours of half-life, about 50 percent of the active compound (Carisoprodol) is eliminated from the body. So, considering this, a dose of Soma 500mg will be reduced to 250 mg. Meanwhile, a dose of 350 mg of the Soma pill will be 175 mg after 2 hours. 

This theoretical analysis shows that the body eliminates Soma in about 11 hours. However, in many people with a lower metabolism, the body may take about 17 to 24 hours to eliminate the Soma drug. 

Who May Be Tested For Soma?

Soma drug testing is uncommon and is often done in specialized cases. However, individuals may undergo testing in some instances, such as:

• Drug Rehabilitation Facilities

• Military Personnel

• Corporate Employees

• Individuals Involved in criminal investigations.

In Drug Rehabilitation-

Patients in rehabs or people suspected of overdosing or abuse are often tested for Soma pills. It is also detected in people who use higher dosages of Soma pills without a prescription. Overdosing on Carisoprodol can cause severe health risks in individuals. 

In the Military-

Military officials are often on combat missions or may have to operate heavy machinery requiring optimal alertness, cognition, and vigilance. Soma abuse can cause dizziness and impact their thinking ability. Thus, they often have to undergo a Soma drug test during service. 

Corporate Employees-

Soma drug testing in employees is rare. Your employers may test for the Soma pill if-

• They have a no-drug policy at their organization.

• If the side effects from administering the Soma pill are affecting your productivity.  

Criminals-

A suspected convict may be subjected to a Soma drug test if law enforcement agencies suspect that the drug has been used in connection with a crime. 

How To Flush Soma Out Of Your System?

Several activities can speed up the process of Soma excretion from the human body. 

As shown in the image below, the four activities can effectively accelerate Soma pill excretion. However, we suggest you consult a physician before using these tips.

Daily Exercise- 

Exercising lowers the possibility of Meprobamate accumulating in the body. Therefore, daily exercise can alter how long Soma stays in the system. 

Any form of physical activity will help burn body fat and facilitate the faster elimination of Carisoprodol and Meprobamate. Running or jogging can help if you do not wish to indulge in an intense workout routine.

Using Supplements- 

Health supplements like calcium-D-glucarate can help in clearing the renal detoxification pathways. It helps speed up the elimination of Soma from the body.

Activated Charcoal- 

A 1986 case report by E Hassan suggests that activated charcoal can increase drug clearance from the body. It works by binding to the drug's residue in the digestive system and eliminating it. However, activated charcoal must be used only under the guidance of a physician. 

Level Of Hydration- 

Increased water intake can also help improve the process of removing Soma from the body by speeding up the renal system. 

Takeaway

Let us summarize all the information on how long Soma stays in your system and factors that may affect its time of action in the body. 

The key points that we can draw from our findings in this blog include-

• The Soma pill stays in the system for 11 hours.

• Meprobamate takes longer to get excreted from the body.

• The detection of Soma in the system is possible for a more extended period in long-term users.

• Soma drug testing can be performed in blood, hair, saliva, and urine samples. 

• One can pass a Soma drug test by discontinuing the administration of the muscle relaxer 7 to 10 days before the examination.