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.
How Is It Used?
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).
Are There Possible
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.
Is It Safe?
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.
What About Interactions
With Other Drugs?
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.
What If I Miss A
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.
How Should It Be
Stored?
Store at room temperature away from sunlight
and moisture.
Anything Else I Should
Know?
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. |
