Can Soma Help With Opiate Withdrawal?
Soma uses include treating and managing opiate withdrawal symptoms, which can be as bad as the side effects of opiate abuse.
Managing Withdrawal Symptoms
Opiate withdrawal can be challenging to deal with, and in some cases, it has become a regular part of daily life for those who have used opiates for a prolonged time. Despite opiate use and addiction being linked to some seriously debilitating health effects, people attempting to stop using opiates can experience full-intensity withdrawal symptoms. Some of these withdrawal symptoms are just as bad as the side effects of opiate abuse (if not worse).1
Several different medications have been prescribed for treating and managing opiate withdrawal symptoms – one of these is Soma, also known as carisoprodol. Soma is effective as an anxiety medication and muscle relaxant when taken as prescribed. There have, however, been some questions as to whether carisoprodol use genuinely helps with opiate withdrawal.
What is Soma?
Soma is the brand name for carisoprodol, a medication primarily prescribed as a skeletal muscle relaxant. Soma is usually prescribed to ease pain from muscle injuries like sprains and strains. In addition to using Soma for pain, it is also used in combination with other treatments and physical therapy to treat muscle pain and discomfort.2
Is Soma a Narcotic?
Due to the fact that carisoprodol (Soma) has a powerful muscle relaxant effect, combined with its propensity for causing addiction when abused, many people think Soma is a narcotic; however, that’s not the case. Soma is classified as a musculoskeletal pain reliever, although not under the same class as its parent compound (benzodiazepine).
One primary reason for this difference in classification is that although carisoprodol uses include use as a muscle relaxer, Soma for pain alleviation works differently from how narcotic drugs do.3
How is Soma Used?
Carisoprodol (Soma) is a prescription-only drug because of its habit-forming potential, so Soma can only be prescribed by a doctor. You should also follow the exact dosage regimen. Soma is a tablet-form drug taken orally with or without water, as prescribed by a doctor. The normal dosage regimen for Soma is three times a day and at bedtime, for not more than 2-3 weeks.3
The exact dosage of Soma your doctor will prescribe is usually based on your response to treatment and medical condition. Do not use this drug for a long time or increase your dose as prolonged Soma use does not mean your condition will improve, and the risk of side effects increases.4
Soma Generic Name
The generic name of Soma is carisoprodol.
Soma Use During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
This medication should be used with caution for pregnant people, and for those lactating who are using the drug, it is likely that Soma would then be present in breast milk. Soma should only be used when necessary during pregnancy.7
Soma Overdose and Withdrawal
When carisoprodol is taken in excess and for a long period, it can cause addiction. People addicted to Soma usually develop tolerance to the drug; that is, their body adjusts to the presence of Soma, so they will need more or higher doses of the drug to replicate the feeling they want. This eventually results in an overdose.
Soma Overdose Symptoms
Soma muscle relaxer overdose can be dangerous because it can lead to permanent brain damage or even death without immediate medical attention. You must identify the symptoms of soma overdose so you can call for help when necessary. Symptoms of Soma overdose resulting from Soma drug uses include the following:
- Chills
- Extreme sedation
- Coma
- Difficulty breathing
- Palpitations
- Shock
- Vomiting
Soma Withdrawal
Repeated Soma muscle relaxer use leads to the development of addiction and dependence. Abrupt reduction in carisoprodol levels in the body results in the manifestation of withdrawal symptoms as the body has already grown accustomed to and dependent on the presence of Soma.
Soma Withdrawal Symptoms
The severity and nature of symptoms experienced depend on factors like the quantity of drug you’ve been consuming, general physical and mental health, method of drug use, and how long you’ve been battling with addiction. These are some of the symptoms of Soma withdrawal:
- Excessive sweating
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue and exhaustion
- Chills
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- High temperature
- Restlessness
- Muscle and bone pain
- Heart palpitations
- Anxiety and paranoia
- Depression
- Auditory and visual hallucinations
- Panic attacks
- Seizures
Soma Withdrawal Timeline
When you stop using carisoprodol, withdrawal symptoms surface 12-48 hours after taking the last dose, and they might persist for at least two days after the onset. The severity and time of withdrawal symptoms depend on the length of use and dosage.
Also, people who combine Soma medication with other medications like benzodiazepines, alcohol, and opiates might expA young doctor of Asian descent and an elderly patient of African descent are indoors at the woman’s home. The doctor is talking to the woman while holding a tablet computer. They’re both deciding what the woman’s next steps should be.erience more prolonged and severe withdrawal symptoms. If you notice any withdrawal symptoms after completing your Soma dose regimen, it is recommended that you seek medical attention immediately.
What Is Soma Used for?
Soma is used for two major types of conditions:5
- Painful Musculoskeletal Conditions: Soma is usually used to provide relief from painful acute musculoskeletal conditions like tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis, and so on. Soma for pain is only used for acute pain treatment because it can cause addiction if used for too long, so it cannot be used for treating chronic pain conditions which can last for weeks or even months.
- Muscle Relaxant: Carisoprodol (soma) is also prescribed as a muscle relaxant, and it functions by stopping the transmission of pain sensation between the brain and nerves.
Can Soma Help With Opiate Withdrawal?
Although Soma is used to manage painful musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, soma can help with opiate withdrawal. When Soma is taken, its muscle relaxant effects help it produce a sort of “sedative” effect similar to benzodiazepines.
This effect, in combination with its ability to provide excellent pain relief, ensures it can be used in conjunction with other medications and therapy to help with opiate withdrawal symptoms.6
Soma Side Effects and Health Risks
Although a very useful drug, Soma has several side effects. Soma side effects range in severity from mild to very severe.
Common Side Effects of Soma
Common side effects of Soma uses for treatment include the following:
- Skin rash
- Headache
- Increased heart rate
- Increased clumsiness
- Dizziness
- Upset stomach and vomiting
- Drowsiness
Severe Side Effects of Soma
Carisoprodol has also been known to cause the following severe side effects:
- Fever
- Burning in the eyes
- Difficulty in breathing
- Weakness
Soma Drug Interactions
Drug interaction can increase the risk of side effects and affect how the drug works, so you must let your doctor know if you’re using any other medication in combination with Soma as there are medications known to interact with the drug.
You should let your doctor know and, if possible, avoid using drugs that cause CNS depression and dizziness like alcohol, other opioid pain relievers, anti-anxiety, or sleep-inducing drugs like alprazolam and zolpidem, other muscle relaxants and antihistamines like cetirizine while you’re using Soma.7
Soma Warnings and Precautions
This medication has inactive ingredients that can cause problems like allergic reactions, so you should let your doctor know if you’re allergic to substances like mebutamate, meprobamate, or tybamate. Also, before using soma, tell your doctor if you have a family history of a substance use disorder, seizures, liver disease, or kidney disease.
Soma drug use for treatment can cause drowsiness or dizziness, so don’t do anything that requires alertness, like operating machinery or driving while using Soma. You should also avoid alcoholic beverages and inform your doctor if you take marijuana.
Using Soma in Opiate Withdrawal Treatment
As mentioned earlier, Soma is a very useful drug for managing opiate withdrawal symptoms. It can be used with other medications to manage withdrawal symptoms with a combination of physical therapy. Care must be taken that drugs used in conjunction with Soma are safe for use to prevent more prolonged withdrawal processes and avoid drug interactions.
How Can I Stay Healthy While Taking Soma?
The best thing to do is to stay away from alcohol and other substances of abuse while using Soma. You should also ensure you stick to your Soma prescription regimen and don’t use the carisoprodol medication for long to prevent Soma addiction and overdose. You can seek help and more information from your healthcare provider, but always let them know if you’re using any medication (prescribed or not) alongside Soma.
Soma Dosage Forms
The standard dosage form of carisoprodol is 250-300 mg three times daily and at night. The required maximum duration is two to three weeks.8
Is Soma Addictive?
Many health care professionals believe that Soma is not addictive when used as prescribed. But they fear that excess amounts can cause addiction. When Soma is overused, the body becomes tolerant to the medication, and you need a larger dose to feel the effect, and this eventually leads to addiction and dependency. Soma can also be addictive when taken with other medicines like Xanax.9
Get Help for Prescription Drug Addiction at San Diego Detox
Are you or is someone you know experiencing one or more of the symptoms of opiate withdrawal or Soma withdrawal? If yes, a treatment center can help you manage your withdrawal symptoms. San Diego Detox provides a safe opiate detox process to help you overcome withdrawal symptoms. In San Diego Detox, your health and well-being are our priority. Contact us today, and let’s help you get better.
Resources
https://www.addictionsearch.com/treatment_blog/does-soma-help-with-opiate-withdrawal_257.html
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682578.html
https://www.goodrx.com/carisoprodol/what-is
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/index-drugs.aspx
https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-musculoskeletal-system-what-is-it-189651
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-is-soma#prescribed-uses
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-12153/soma-oral/detai
https://www.detox.net/carisoprodol/
https://drugabuse.com/benzodiazepines/xanax/
