Soma 350mg vs 500mg: Choosing the Right Strength

Soma is a muscle relaxant that stands out as a popular choice for managing discomfort associated with musculoskeletal conditions. However, as with any medication, selecting the appropriate dose is crucial for achieving desired outcomes while minimizing potential risks. In this blog post, we look into the considerations of Soma doses, specifically comparing the commonly prescribed strengths of 350mg and 500mg. 

By understanding these dose strengths better, patients can now make informed decisions, ensuring a more targeted approach to managing pain.

Soma Pill And Its Strengths 

Soma pill, the brand drug of Carisoprodol, is a centrally acting muscle relaxer that works within thirty minutes of intake. 

Soma pill is available in three strengths- 250 mg, 350 mg, and 500mg. They should be selected and administered based on the cause and severity of the pain. 

Similarities Between Soma 500mg And Soma 350mg

Since both the Soma doses have the same active compound, they show several similarities in their action and usage. 

Active Compound- 

Both Soma 350 mg and Soma 500 mg are composed of Carisoprodol as the active compound. 

Prescription usage-

The FDA approves the use of the Soma pill for the treatment of the following mentioned health conditions-

• Muscle cramps and sprain. 

• Back pain

• Migraine

• Fibromyalgia

• Soma pill for menstrual cramps is also seen to be effective in a few cases.

Pregnancy Category-

The Soma pill is a Category C pregnancy medication in the USA. Even though there are no concluded studies on its effect in pregnant women, however, animal studies demonstrate a potential risk to the fetus. Thus, the use of both Soma 350 mg and 500 mg during pregnancy is not advisable. 

Onset Of Action-

The Soma 350 mg and Soma 500 mg take about 30 minutes to start its action. 

Legal Status-

• The use of the Soma pill and all its strengths is approved by the FDA in the United States. It is a scheduled IV prescription drug unavailable over the counter. 

• Canada- Schedule I, Sub-Schedule F1

• Australia- Not available over the counter [1]. 

Soma 350mg vs 500mg: Doses Comparison

Both Soma 350 mg and Soma 500 mg doses follow a similar mode of administration. Improper dosing of the pill is a common cause of addiction and dependency in the user. 

Choosing the Right Strength

Even though the Soma pill has three strengths, the common doses of the Soma pill include 350 mg and 500 mg. A few factors that can influence the dose selection are listed below. 

Severity Of Pain-

For severe muscle pain, a higher dose of Soma pill is recommended as they provide a higher therapeutic effect. Thus, Soma 500 mg is recommended for severe body pain. 

Medical History-

The Soma 350 mg dose is also considered ideal for people with kidney and liver disorders. As the medication is metabolized in the liver and excreted through the kidney, suffering from renal and hepatic impairment can affect how it acts in the body. 

Age-

The use of a lower dose of Soma pills is recommended for elderly people over 65 years. Since they have a lower metabolic rate, such people take longer to process and eliminate the medication from the system. Thus, Soma 350 mg is a preferable dose option for them. 

Effectiveness and Safety

The effectiveness and potency of the Soma 500mg tablet are higher than that of the 350 mg tablet. The two doses also vary in safety and abuse potency, as listed in the table below. 

Soma 350 or Soma 500- Which Is Affordable? 

The price of the medication differs depending on the strength of the muscle relaxer, the pill package, and the pharmacy. 

The cost of the 350mg pill is similar to that of the 500mg pill at Healthnaturo. 

Soma 350mg and Soma 500 mg pills at Healthnaturo cost $1.34 for a package of 400 tablets. However, this price varies from site to site. 

Soma 350 mg at Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy, and Walmart is $639.38 for a pack of 60 tablets ($10.65 per pill), as listed by the website GoodRx [2].

Precaution And Warning

Under certain conditions, the intake of the Soma pill is not advisable. Some preventive measures to consider when taking the Soma pill are listed below. 

• People with hepatic, renal, and cardiac disorders are recommended to take Soma pill after consulting a physician.

• People under the age of 17 years or over 65 years should take it after talking to a doctor. 

• Users with a previous history of substance abuse can take Soma pills after consulting a doctor. 

• Avoid the intake of alcoholic beverages with Soma pain medication [3]. 

The Right Soma DosesStrength- Our Final Thought

To help you select the appropriate dose strength, we have outlined essential considerations for determining when to opt for each dose of the Soma pill.