Carisoprodol (Soma) Questions
I've searched through the site for some additional information on this, but haven't come across anything - so I apologize in advance if this topic has already been covered:
I am currently prescribed carisoprodol (generic/chemical name for Soma) 350g four times daily for muscle pain/spasms. Previously, I'd been taking Lorcet 10/650 (one every 6 hours as needed) to control the pain, but because of a number of side effects I was experiencing (nausea, sweating, constipation, headaches), and the fact that I was not comfortable having to rely on an opioid for pain relief, my doctor and I discussed other medications and decided to switch to Soma, which had been beneficial to some of his other patients. Luckily, it's been very helpful in alleviating my pain, as well as helping me sleep for occasional insomnia. However, in doing some of my own research on it, I discovered that it is classified by the DEA as a "drug or chemical of concern", is one of the most common illicitly diverted prescription drugs, and is actually a controlled/scheduled drug in 17 states. (I live in Pennsylvania, and it is not scheduled here, so this fact was one of the more surprising things I learned.)
The DEA summary mentions carisoprodol's conversion in the body to meprobamate (Miltown), which is a Schedule IV controlled substance, as well as its "substantial barbiturate-like biological actions." It's my understanding the barbiturates (Seconal, Nembutal, Tuinal) are rarely prescribed anymore, having largely been replaced by the so-called safer drugs of the benzodiazepine family - Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, Restoril, etc. - and that meprobamate itself is also rarely used today either. So, I guess my main question has to do with why, if it is, in fact, so similar to meprobamate, carisoprodol is still so commonly prescribed? It appears in the Top 100 of several 'Most Commonly Dispensed Prescriptions' lists. I also discovered that it is manufactured by around ten different generic drug companies, in addition to the brand name Soma, which I believe is made by Wallace/MedPointe.
If anyone has additional insight into carisoprodol, its positives and negatives, how it's viewed by the medical or pharmacological industries (I realize I'm asking a number of questions at once here), I'd be very interested.
I was also unaware that individual states are able to schedule a drug as a controlled substance, assuming this was always done under the DEA/FDA. And in the states where carisoprodol *is* scheduled, does it have the same schedule number in each state? For example, could it be a C-3 drug in Texas and a C-4 drug in Florida?
Again, any information/insights much appreciated.
In my humble opinion, the DEA is a horrific organization, as most of what they do is generally entirely arbitrary. The fact that carisoprodol (which I take 4x daily, 350mg) is unscheduled, benzodiazepines are schedule IV, opiates and opioids are generally variably III and II, while alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine are unscheduled, [filtered word] is schedule I, while barbituates range from schedule I to schedule III yet are generally considered "unsafe" or at least inferior and without a place in modern medicine in the US, should give the impression of just how poorly thought-out the DEA scheduling system is. By the way, that listing is randomized to more accurately reflect how the people at the DEA appear to think. ;-) I really don't want to even think of what powers motivate the scheduling process.
Soma is a potentially very powerful medication and there are obviously abuse risks (my cousin, who has been on soma and hydrocodone for some years for pain management, swears by the soma and finds it more effective than her norco, lucky her). Yet the DEA doesn't schedule it. Personally, I'm happy about that, since it makes pain management easier for me. However, as you have discovered, prescription drug regulation does not happen exclusively at the federal level. While I don't know precisely how much liberty states have in terms of such regulation -- although I would imagine it is quite a lot, since states have the power to decriminalize [filtered word] and legalize it for medicinal purposes, for example -- they certainly appear to be individually in control. Thus scheduling and general regulation can vary between states.
Phil
I don't see a complete list but here is one I found (unverified, keep in mind)
DEA horrifc for certain. How else can one explain how [filtered word] remains a schedule I narcotic when there is so much research that says its less harmless that Alcohol or even Tobacco and is even less adictive than caffeine? Figure that one out my friend!
gives anxiety concerns, Zanaflex gives good releif an does nt sedate as bad, as flexiril another muscle relaxer.
is your muscle spasms an cramps due to heavy labor, or workout
Daypro may work wonders for You if its arthiritic or imflammed muscle pain.
Woodstock
imo is the best muscle relaxer on the market. have been rxd flexeril but not zanaflex before. have flexeril scripts that i didnt even fill because i think it is ineffective. 120 lorcet a month in my state is much more sought and diverted versus 120 soma a month. usually they are rxd togethor. soma does have a crazy effect when taken with codeine hence tylenol3 or 4, or hydrocodone, or oxycodone. i was on suboxone once and soma and xanax all rxd at the same time and ended up in the er, via ambulance. i told my wife it was just a good power nap but she didnt appreciate it and called 911 thinking i had overdosed. it will do exactly like it says relaxe muscle but if taken to many cut you off at the knees. does work wonders for sleep. i take mine only in the evening. i believe it is a sch. IV in my state mi. i know of some docs that will not rx it and then some that rx it like motrin? their is even a soma/codeine tablet. was rxd one time w/3 refills but that was it now every month its just soma 350mg/ with 3 or 4 refills. 90month 3Xdaily as needed for pain.
Zanaflex has been better for me than Soma. Though I would put both of those at the top of the list for myself. Others would like Soma more; of course your mileage may vary (or in short-hand YMMV!).
Hey everyone.. I was wondering if you could help me out to understand the difference in percocet and opana. Im really wondering which is stronger. I have been taking oxycodone 10/325 5 a day for 8 years now. Im tired of making sure I always have the meds with me. My pain doc. suggested I try opana er 10mg ( one in the morning and the other at night) also 90 5 mg ( 3 a day ) opana for any break though pain. Can anyone tell me if that will be about the same strength as what I have been doing for the past 8 years. I start the opana tomorrow morning so if there is anything else anyone else feels would be helpfull please do tell. Thank you all very much...
I can't tell you from personal experience but that dosage seems comprable...I would guess it works slightly better for you at first since you won't have quite as high of a tolerance for it as the percocet...
I was prescribed Zanaflex for quite some time and it worked wonders... best I have ever taken for spasms.. but the dry mouth side effect never went away and caused a bad sore throat in the morning... And my wife started complaining of more snoring at night due to the dry mouth.. geesh, I slept great though on it. Dr. just switched me to Soma and it does work well for me. Still trying to compare it to the Zanaflex but I think Zanaflex worked better.. We all know that everybody is different though.. I give high marks to Zanaflex.
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Soma is an excellent muscle relaxer and relieves muscle spasms better than any other drug. Its effects are significantly increased when combined with opioids/opiates. It being such a great tool in pain management, is probably why it is so heavily rx'ed. I thank God that it is not harder to get rx'ed due to diversion like say OxyContin for instance.