Soma or carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant used for the treatment of muscle pain in adults. Soma should not be used for an extended period of time and is best when combined with rest, physical therapy and proper diet. The main relaxant effect of soma occurs in the brain. Soma is metabolized and broken down by the liver and excreted from the body by the kidneys.
About Soma
Soma is normally prescribed to treat strains, sprains and muscle injuries in adults, although your doctor may prescribe it for other conditions. Soma may cause side effects including drowsiness, dizziness, loss of coordination, elevated heart rate, nausea or rash. If you have difficulty breathing, fever, weakness or burning in the eyes while on Soma, contact your doctor immediately. Do not combine Soma with other sedatives such as alcohol.
Brain Effects
Soma does not directly relax skeletal muscles. Soma acts on the brain and spinal cord suppressing signals involved in pain perception and muscle tension. The precise effect that Soma has on cells of the brain and spinal cord is not known in detail. It is thought that Soma increases the ability of neurons to decrease the activity of cells around them. Soma may be metabolized into other chemicals having a general sedative and anti-anxiety effect on the body.
Liver Effects
Soma is metabolized by the liver. Cytochrome enzyme CYP2C19 is responsible for the metabolism of Soma into different forms and inactivation before Soma is removed in the urine. Individuals with liver damage or a weak genetic forms of CYP2C19 should not use Soma. Approximately 3 to 5 percent of Caucasians and African-Americans as well as 15 to 20 percent of Asians are not able to metabolize Soma effectively.
Kidney Effects
The majority of Soma and its metabolites are excreted in the urine via the kidneys. The half-life of Soma is two hours. Your liver metabolizes Soma into another form called meprobamate that has a half-life of 10 hours. The longer half-life of meprobamate is responsible for the long-lasting sedative effects of Soma. People with kidney disease may be less efficient at excreting Soma.
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