Soma is
a muscle relaxant. It works by
blocking nerve impulses (or pain
sensations) that are sent to your
brain. Codeine is a pain reliever.
Codeine is in a class of drugs
called narcotic analgesics and
it works by changing the way your
body feels pain. Soma is used,
along with rest and physical therapy,
to treat injuries and other painful
muscular conditions. Aspirin /
Soma may also be used for purposes
other than those listed here.
Soma Directions?
Take Soma exactly as
directed by your doctor. If you do not understand
these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse,
or doctor to explain them to you. Take each
dose with a full glass of water. The maximum
amount of Soma you should take in one day
is 1,400 mg (4 tablets).
Soma Side Effects?
If you experience any
of the following serious side effects, stop
taking Soma and seek emergency medical attention:
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing;
closing of your throat; swelling of your lips,
tongue, or face; or hives); paralysis (loss
of feeling) or extreme weakness; vision loss;
agitation or tremor; red, black, or bloody
stools; or blood in your vomit.
Other, less serious side effects may
be more likely to occur. Continue to
take Soma and talk to your doctor if you
experience: drowsiness or dizziness; headache;
depression; blurred vision or small pupils;
insomnia; hiccups; faint ringing in the
ears; or nausea, vomiting, or constipation.
Side effects other than those listed here
may also occur. Talk to your doctor about
any side effect that seems unusual or that
is especially bothersome.
Soma Warnings?
Do not take Soma if
you have acute intermittent porphyria. Codeine
is habit forming and should only be used under
close supervision if you have an alcohol or
drug addiction. Before taking this medication,
tell your doctor if you have kidney disease,
liver disease, an ulcer in your stomach or
intestines, a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder,
urinary retention, an enlarged prostate, hypothyroidism,
a head injury, or Addison's disease. You may
not be able to take Soma, or you may require
a lower dose or special monitoring during
treatment if you have any of the conditions
listed above. Do not take aspirin and Soma
without first talking to your doctor if you
are pregnant. Do not take aspirin and Soma
without first talking to your doctor if you
are breast-feeding a baby. Soma is not approved
for use in children younger than 12 years
of age.
Soma Drug Interactions?
Many drugs can increase
the effects of Soma and lead to heavy sedation.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor
if you are taking any of the following medicines:
antihistamines such as brompheniramine (Dimetane,
Bromfed, others), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton,
Teldrin, others), azatadine (Optimine), clemastine
(Tavist), and many others; narcotics (pain
killers) such as meperidine (Demerol), morphine
(MS Contin, MSIR, others), propoxyphene (Darvon,
Darvocet), hydrocodone (Lorcet, Vicodin),
oxycodone (Percocet, Percodan), fentanyl (Duragesic),
and codeine (Fiorinal, Fioricet, Tylenol #3,
others); sedatives such as phenobarbital (Solfoton,
Luminal), amobarbital (Amytal), and secobarbital
(Seconal); phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine
(Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine
(Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine
(Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), and
trifluoperazine (Stelazine); or antidepressants
such as doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil),
nortriptyline (Pamelor), fluoxetine (Prozac),
paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), phenelzine
(Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate). Aspirin
will decrease the effects of some drugs. Tell
your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking
Soma if any of the following drugs have been
prescribed for you: probenecid (Benebid) and
sulfinpyrazone (Anturane); angiotensin-converting-enzyme
(ACE) inhibitors used to treat high blood
pressure and other heart conditions such as
benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten),
and enalapril (Vasotec); other commonly used
ACE inhibitors, including fosinopril (Monopril),
lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril
(Univasc), quinapril (Accupril), and ramipril
(Altace); and beta-blockers used to treat
high blood pressure and other heart conditions
such as acebutolol (Sectral), metoprolol (Lopressor),
propranolol (Inderal), atenolol (Tenormin),
and carteolol (Cartrol). Other over-the-counter
and prescription drugs may increase the effects
of aspirin and cause dangerous side effects:
• oral anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin);
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Rufen, others),
ketoprofen (Orudis, Oruvail), and naproxen
(Anaprox, Naprosyn, Aleve) • other commonly
used NSAIDs, including diclofenac (Voltaren,
Cataflam), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon),
flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin),
ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen),
oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac
(Clinoril), and tolmetin (Tolectin); • other
salicylates (forms of aspirin) such as salsalate
(Disalcid), choline salicylate, and magnesium
salicylate; • bismuth subsalicylate in drugs
such as Pepto-Bismol; and • calcium supplements
and antacids. Other drugs that should not
be combined with aspirin and Soma include•
steroids such as prednisone (Deltasone), oral
antidiabetic drugs such as glipizide (Glucotrol)
and glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta), alcohol,
lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others), and
cyclosporine (Sandimmune). Drugs other than
those listed here may also interact with Soma.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before
taking any prescription or over-the-counter
medicines.
Soma Missed Dose?
If you miss a dose,
take as soon as remembered; do not take if
it is almost time for the next dose, instead,
skip the missed dose and resume your usual
dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose
to catch up.
Soma Storage?
Store at room temperature
away from sunlight and moisture.
Anything Else I Should
Know About Soma?
Soma is a muscle relaxant.
It works by blocking nerve impulses (or pain
sensations) that are sent to your brain. Soma
is used, along with rest and physical therapy,
to treat injuries and other painful muscular
conditions.
NOTE: The above
information is intended to supplement, not
substitute for, the expertise and judgment
of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare
professional. It should not be construed to
indicate that the use of the product is safe,
appropriate, or effective for you. Consult
your healthcare professional before taking
the product.
