Flexeril vs. Soma

• Are Flexeril and Soma the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Flexeril?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Soma?
• What Is Flexeril?
• What Is Soma?
• What Drugs Interact with Flexeril?
• What Drugs Interact with Soma?
• How Should Flexeril Be Taken?
• How Should Soma Be Taken?

Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) and Soma (carisoprodol) are muscle relaxants indicated as adjuncts to rest and physical therapy for relief of muscle spasm associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions.

Side effects of Flexeril and Soma that are similar include headache, blurred vision, drowsiness, dizziness, stomach pain or upset, and nausea.

Side effects of Flexeril that are different from Soma include dry mouth or throat, fatigue, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, gas, and muscle weakness.

Side effects of Soma that are different from Flexeril include agitation, nervousness, tremor, irritability, trouble sleeping (insomnia), depression, vomiting, and hiccups.

Both Flexeril and Soma may interact with alcohol and other drugs that make you drowsy (narcotics, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or medicines for anxiety or seizures).

Flexeril may also interact with tricyclic antidepressants, atropine, bronchodilators, guanethidine, tramadol, bladder or urinary medications, irritable bowel medications, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), barbiturates, bupropion, blood pressure medications, cold or allergy medicine that contains an antihistamine, medicines to treat Parkinson's disease, and medicines to treat excess stomach acid or stomach ulcer and motion sickness.

Common side effects of Flexeril include:

• dry mouth or throat
• headache
• blurred vision
• drowsiness
• dizziness
• fatigue
• loss of appetite
• stomach pain
• nausea
• diarrhea
• constipation
• gas, or
• muscle weakness.

Common side effects of Soma include:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Agitation
• Nervousness
• Tremor
• Headache
• Irritability
• Inability to sleep (insomnia)
• Blurred vision
• Depression
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Upset stomach
• Hiccups

Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is a muscle relaxant indicated as an adjunct to rest and physical therapy for relief of muscle spasm associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions.

Soma (carisoprodol) is a muscle relaxant used for short-term relief of discomfort associated with painful muscle conditions.

Flexeril especially when used with alcohol or other CNS depressants, may impair mental and/or physical abilities required for performance of hazardous tasks, such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle.

Soma interacts with other agents that slow the brain's processes, such as alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines (for example, lorazepam [Ativan]), and narcotics. There are no adequate studies of Soma in pregnant women. Soma accumulates in breast milk in concentrations 2-4 times the concentration in the mother's blood. The effects of Soma on the infants of lactating mothers are unknown. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. Soma may cause dependence and is associated with withdrawal symptoms.

For most patients, the recommended dose of Flexeril is 5 mg three times a day. Based on individual patient response, the dose may be increased to 10 mg three times a day. Use of Flexeril for periods longer than two or three weeks is not recommended.

The recommended dose of Soma is 250-350 mg three times a day and at bedtime.