Long-term effects of Soma

A common question associated with using the Soma pill is, "Can you take Carisoprodol for the long term?" This blog will help you analyze the effects of long-term Soma use on the human body. Soma pill is the brand or trade name of Carisoprodol, a muscle relaxer used for short-term body pain. FDA approves the use of the Soma pill for helping with acute pain in people. Living with any form of pain can be very hard and challenging. It is a reason for people to take Soma without consulting a physician. However, the wrong intake of Carisoprodol can be primarily responsible for causing dependency and side effects in the user. Thus, users need to understand the long-term effects of Soma pills and the safety of the non-prescription use of muscle relaxers.

Soma Pill's Impact On Mental And Physical Health

Carisoprodol is a centrally-acting muscle relaxer. The mode of action of the Soma pill includes blocking the pain sensation from the affected part of the body from reaching the person's brain. It thus helps in relieving the pain in the body. The Carisoprodol in the human body gets metabolized in the person's liver. It leads to the formation of Meprobamate, which has anxiolytic activity in the human body. It is also responsible for establishing sedative effects in the human body, a significant cause of Soma abuse in users. Studies show about 25 percent of Carisoprodol gets metabolized to Meprobamate [1]. It means that Meprobamate is much stronger than Carisoprodol and thus makes the Soma pill a much better muscle relaxer than many others available on the market.

The wrong intake and long-term effects of the Soma pill can also elevate the level of serotonin in the body. It can make the user suffer from agitation, vomiting, hallucination, muscle stiffness, fever, sweating, and loss of coordination.

Short-Term And Long-Term Effects Of Soma

Do not take the Soma muscle relaxer for more than three weeks of continuous usage.

People wishing to take the muscle relaxer longer can take a break and then restart with the Soma intake or consult a doctor. Short and prolonged use of the Soma pill shows positive signs in the human body. The short-term use of Carisoprodol is favorable; however, taking it longer can cause side effects. We have provided a table below to show the possible side effects.

Thus, people shouldn't take the Soma pill for more than 21 days of continuous use. One must also not change the dosage without consulting a physician.

Clinical Study On The Safety Of Carisoprodol

The Soma muscle relaxer is a schedule IV prescription medication. It means that the medication has a potential for dependency and abuse in the user. Thus, the long-term effects of the Soma pill can elevate the chances of dependency. The muscle relaxer is a Category C medication for pregnant and lactating women; thus, it should not be taken for lower back pain caused in females without consultation. Animal studies have shown the effects of long-term Soma use has adverse effects on the fetus. Although, there are no adequate and well-studied reports on human beings. Thus, women can take the Soma pill during pregnancy under the guidance of a physician.

Source- Carisoprodol side effects by duration, gender, and age. ehealthme

This graphical representation published on ehealthme [2] shows the reported individuals facing Soma muscle relaxer side effects from 1997. This graph highlights a decline in the impacts over the years. This case study was conducted and studied for 2375 individuals taking a Carisoprodol muscle relaxer.

Carisoprodol Administration And Dosing

The prescribed duration for using the Soma muscle relaxer is 2 to 3 weeks. Using the medication for a more extended period can cause adverse effects in the users. The maximum dose of Carisoprodol for adults is 1400mg per day. The use of Soma muscle relaxers is not advisable for children below the age of 17 years and above 65 years. It can be taken 3 to 4 times a day, depending on the strength of the analgesic. However, if the pain persists, such users can buy Soma 500mg after consulting a physician. 

One can take the Soma muscle relaxer dosage daily. However, while taking the analgesic, it is essential to note the following-

• Do not abruptly stop the analgesic intake. Sudden discontinuation, in addition to the effects of long-term Soma use, can cause withdrawal symptoms. 

• One must not take the dosage if suffering from heart, kidney, or liver disorders.

• It is an oral pill and should be taken only through the mouth.

• People under other treatments and medication must consult their physician before taking the Soma pill. The Long-term effects of Soma administration with other medicines can cause drug interaction, thus lowering its efficacy. Users taking muscle relaxers with Gabapentin, hormonal birth control, cough medicines, antibiotics, etc, should consult a doctor before taking the Soma pill. 

Abuse And dependency

The Soma pill is infamous for the user's dependency and withdrawal signs. According to reports by the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration), its abuse has risen over the few years [3]. 

Some of the common factors that contribute to causing abuse and dependency in the user are-

• Inappropriate usage of the muscle relaxer

• Soma-alcohol interactions 

• Mixing the muscle relaxer with other drugs

• Taking excess doses

• Taking the medication beyond the prescribed duration also results in long-term effects of Soma.

A user must be able to identify these conditions to prevent them from further accelerating. The signs and symptoms of dependency in people are-

• Finding out ways to get a prescription for the muscle relaxer

• Getting the medication online without a prescription

• Constantly feeling the urge to take the dosage

• Taking a higher dosage of the analgesic than prescribed

• Frequent administration of the muscle relaxer than required

Identifying the signs of abuse is crucial to reducing the severity of the side effects on the user. Long-term effects of Soma abuse can even result in life-threatening side effects in users [4].

Soma Withdrawal Symptoms And Its Management

Continued use of the muscle relaxer can result in withdrawal signs when the user stops taking the medication abruptly. One must never suddenly stop taking pain medication. It is advisable for users first to lower the dose of the muscle relaxer and then gradually discontinue it. A clinical study by Roy R Reeves [5] shows the following Carisoprodol withdrawal symptoms –

• Vomiting

• Insomnia

• Muscle twitching

• Anxiety

• Tremors.

The signs of long-term effects of Soma use and Carisoprodol withdrawal can be visible within 24 hours of taking the last Soma muscle relaxer dosage. Depending on its severity, its duration can vary from a few days to a few weeks. 

If the long-term effects of Soma worsen, the user should stay calm and relaxed. In such conditions, one must seek medical help. Some options to help manage these effects of long-term Soma use in users are-

• Group therapy to help manage minor impact symptoms. 

• Detox therapy can help manage the effects of long-term Soma use.

• Rehab programs

• Life skill development helps such users form a different life. 

• Individual therapy focuses on specific concerns. 

•  The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recommends ninety days of continuous addiction treatment to manage long-term Soma use's effects. 

• Taking specialized therapies, including music therapy or art therapy

• Recovery programs (12-Step Program and SMART Recovery)

• Evidence-based treatment such as group exercise, individual therapy, and educational lectures help minimize the long-term effects of Soma. 

Muscle Relaxers And Recommended Uses Duration 

Most muscle relaxers are not for long-term usage. One can take it for three weeks or less. Here are some popular muscle relaxers and their duration of use for non-prescription users. People taking the muscle relaxers must follow the user's instructions.

Carisoprodol Side Effects Long-Term- Our Final Thought

The long-term use of the Soma pill is not advised and should be taken for only three weeks. Comparative studies, such as Soma Vs Tizanidine and Carisoprodol vs Tramadol, show Soma is a much safer option for muscle relaxers. It also has a lower risk of drug interaction compared to the other available analgesics. 

A few factors to remember while taking the Soma pill are-

• Do not discontinue the medication without consulting a doctor.
• The Pill should not be overdosed.
• The tapering-off method is advised while stopping the dosing of the analgesic.