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Robaxin vs. Soma

Are Robaxin and Soma the Same Thing?

Robaxin (methocarbamol) and Soma (carisoprodol) are muscle relaxants used to treat muscle pain or injury.

Side effects of Robaxin and Soma that are similar include stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, and sleep problems (insomnia).

Side effects of Robaxin that are different from Soma include flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling), constipation, confusion, memory problems, loss of balance or coordination, double vision, eye redness, lightheadedness, spinning sensation, stuffy nose, itching, or rash, especially during the first few days as your body adjusts to this medication.

Side effects of Soma that are different from Robaxin include agitation, nervousness, tremor, irritability, depression, and hiccups.

Both Robaxin and Soma may interact with alcohol and other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing (sleeping pills, narcotics, prescription cough medicines, muscle relaxers, or medicines for anxiety, depression, or seizures).

Robaxin may also interact with pyridostigmine, donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine, or tacrine.

Soma may also interact with barbiturates.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Robaxin?

Common side effects of Robaxin include:

  • stomach upset,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling),
  • constipation,
  • headache,
  • confusion,
  • memory problems,
  • loss of balance or coordination,
  • blurred vision,
  • double vision,
  • eye redness,
  • lightheadedness,
  • dizziness,
  • spinning sensation,
  • drowsiness,
  • sleep problems (insomnia),
  • stuffy nose,
  • itching, or
  • rash, especially during the first few days as your body adjusts to this medication.

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Robaxin including:

What Are Possible Side Effects of Soma?

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

What Is Robaxin?

Robaxin (methocarbamol) is a muscle relaxant used together with rest and physical therapy to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain or injury.

What Is Soma?

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

 

What Drugs Interact With Robaxin?

Patients should be cautioned that Robaxin may cause drowsiness or dizziness, which may impair their ability to operate motor vehicles or machinery.

Because Robaxin may possess a general CNS-depressant effect, patients should be cautioned about combined effects with alcohol and other CNS depressants.

What Drugs Interact With Soma?

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.

 

How Should Robaxin Be Taken?

The recommended starting dose of Robaxin is six grams a day for the first 48 to 72 hours of treatment. Thereafter, the dosage can usually be reduced to approximately 4 grams a day. Robaxin may interact with pyridostigmine, donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine, or tacrine. Tell your doctor all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you use. Robaxin should be used during pregnancy only when prescribed. It is not known if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

How Should Soma Be Taken?

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