Understanding Carisoprodol (Soma)

Carisoprodol is sold as the brand Soma. It is a prescription muscle relaxant! As a controlled substance, it is only for short-term use. Patients take it for up to three weeks, but not for longer than that. This is because they will experience severe side effects! The side effects include symptoms of withdrawal. Patients must also be careful when they stop taking this medication. They need to do so under a doctor's close supervision!

Carisoprodol helps patients achieve muscle pain relief. It is among the recommended muscle relaxant pills for muscle injuries. It also works on injuries to ligaments, joints, and tendons! Doctors will also prescribe it as short-term pain relief for back spasms. This medication is even an effective sprained ankle treatment! Of course, individuals need to understand this medication and how it works as a muscle strain treatment first.

How It Works

Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant medication. It was approved in 1959. Patients take it orally, not topically or by injection! Researchers say that this medication prevents nerves from sending the brain pain signals. Thus, even if the nerves are in pain, patients do not feel it. The brain cannot interpret pain signals when none reach it! Other evidence indicates that this medication also changes how nerves in the brain that control pain work. It also works in the patient's spine! However, this medication is a controlled substance. It is because it is often habit-forming!

Learn about the uses for this medication next.