Soma Vs Tizanidine- Comparing Muscle Relaxant Choices

If you have been suffering from acute skeletomuscular body pain, you must have come across Tizanidine and Soma pills. Tizanidine vs. Soma is an interesting debate, as they both have similar benefits and potency in treating body pain. 

So, if you are curious about which muscle relaxer is best for you, this comparison guide is for you.

This blog compares and provides a detailed insight into their similarities and differences. Both of these analgesics have a profound pharmaceutical legacy with mainstream customer acceptance. So, let us evaluate which of Soma and tizanidine is the best muscle relaxer. 

Tizanidine Vs Soma- An Outline

Soma Pill is a popular Carisoprodol brand commonly prescribed for treating short-term acute pain. It is available as Soma 500 mg and 350mg tablets with a recommended dose of three to four pills a day. 

Tizanidine is an FDA-approved muscle relaxer prescribed for treating spasticity. It is available under the brand name Zanaflex. Zanaflex is also known as U 169 round pills, as it is a white pill with a U 169 imprint. 

Tizanidine Vs Carisoprodol- Similarities And Differences

While Soma and Tizanidine (Zanaflex) are similar, you should know a few striking differences between them. 

A few similarities and differences between the two muscle relaxers are listed below [1,2]. 

Carisoprodol Vs Tizanidine- Working Mechanism 

Soma pill

Carisoprodol, the active compound present in the formulation of the Soma pill, is a centrally-acting muscle relaxer. It works within 30 minutes of intake and is metabolized in the liver to form meprobamate. 

Meprobamate plays a crucial role in contributing to its analgesic abilities and has a longer half-life than Carisoprodol. The muscle relaxer works by blocking the pain stimulation from traveling from the affected region to the brain receptor. Thus helping to get relief from pain. 

Tizanidine

Tizanidine is a muscle relaxer that helps reduce muscle spasticity by acting on the central nervous system. It causes a reduction in amino acids such as aspartate and glutamate, which are responsible for muscle spasms. 

Soma Vs Tizanidine- Dosage And Administration

Soma and Tizanidine are available as oral tablets. The correct intake of medications maintains their effectiveness and lowers the risk of side effects. 

The dosage and administration guidelines for taking these muscle relaxants are mentioned below. 

Soma Pill Administration

• Duration of therapy: 2 to 3 continuous weeks. 

• To avoid withdrawal symptoms, do not discontinue the medication without consulting a doctor.

• The Soma pill must be swallowed with water without being broken or crushed.

• Long-term use of the muscle relaxer can cause dependency. 

• A heavy meal can affect the metabolic activity of the medication. Thus, it is advised to have a light meal before or after the intake of the Soma pill. 

Tizanidine Pill Administration 

• It can be taken with or without food. However, this regime should be maintained till the end of the treatment. 

• Before completely discontinuing the medication, the dose should be lowered to avoid withdrawal symptoms. 

• The Tizanidine pill should be taken by mouth as a whole. 

• Long-term use of the muscle relaxer is not recommended. 

Tizanidine High Vs Soma- A Study On Their Abuse Potency 

Drugs that offer a depressant effect are often used recreationally for their euphoric high. Thus, centrally acting muscle relaxers such as Tizanidine and Soma pills are often abused.

Is Tizanidine Addictive?

Tizanidine can be addictive like most prescription medications. Some people deliberately misuse the muscle relaxer, whereas others may develop an addiction from long-term use.  

In higher doses, Tizanidine can induce a sedative and drowsy feeling, making it common for abuse. Prolonged use and abuse symptoms may include tachycardia, hypertension, and spasticity. However, symptoms may be hard to identify in people with short-term abuse. Long-term abuse can result in urination problems, sporadic muscle movements, abnormal liver function, and chronic runny nose and sore throat.

Is Carisoprodol Habit-Forming?

The sedating effect of the Soma pill on the central nervous system is a major cause for its abuse potential. The Soma muscle relaxer is abused with numerous other compounds to enhance its sedative effect. When co-administered with opioids, it is often referred to as the “Houston Cocktail,” providing similar results as heroin. Long-term use of the Soma pill is not advisable as it increases the risk of dependency and addiction.

Sudden discontinuation of the muscle relaxer can cause withdrawal symptoms and thus should follow the tapering off method. Soma withdrawal timeline or duration usually lasts for 48 hours. If the symptoms persist longer, get immediate medical help. 

Zanaflex Vs Soma- Drug Interaction

When two or more medicines are taken together, they can interact to lower their effectiveness or increase the risk of side effects. Thus, it is advisable to avoid co-administering two or more medicines simultaneously. 

The common medications that should not be taken with the Soma pill and Zanaflex are listed below. 

The Zanaflex drug is known to interact with 589 medicines, whereas Soma can interact with about 348 medications. A few drugs that should not be taken with Zanaflex and Soma together are mentioned below. However, this is not a complete list of all possible drug interactions [5,6]. 

Precaution And Warning

Preventive measures must be followed before consuming Soma and Zanaflex pills to avoid any possible side effects. 

• Elderly people above the age of 65 years are not advised to take the medication without a prescription.

• People with high pressure should take the analgesics only after consulting a doctor. 

• Soma pills and Zanaflex are not recommended to be taken with alcohol. It increases the risk of being drowsy and dizzy. 

• The operation of heavy machinery or driving is not advisable as it causes sedation. 

• Pregnant and lactating women should avoid administering the medications as they may affect the growth and health of the infant. 

• Before using the muscle relaxer, ensure you do not suffer from kidney, liver, or heart disorders.

• Inform your physician about the administration of the medication before undergoing surgery. 

Soma Vs Zanaflex U169 pill- Side Effects

Improper dosing and drug interaction are a few common reasons for side effects from the Soma pill and Tizanidine. However, it is not a complete list of all the possible side effects [7,8]. 

Appearance or worsening of any of these conditions should be reported to a physician. Your doctor may recommend a lower dose or discontinue the medication based on your condition. 

U 169 Vs Soma- Our Final Thought 

We can summarize Zanaflex U 169 Vs. Soma pill as follows-

Carisoprodol is advised for people who require a higher dose for pain relief. It is also less likely to interact with most drugs and has a faster onset of action. On the contrary, Zanaflex is prescribed to people who need a lower dose of the muscle relaxer. It is, however, more prone to cause drug interaction and takes 60 minutes to start acting.