7 Soma Interactions to Know About: Alcohol, Opioids, and More

Soma(carisoprodol) is amuscle relaxermedication. It's used to treat musculoskeletal pain, which is pain that affects various parts of the body, including muscles, joints, and bones.

While Soma may help you manage muscle spasms and pain, it has important risks to be aware of. For example, Soma is acontrolled substance. It has a higher risk of misuse anddependencethan non-controlled medications. It also hasside effectsanddrug interactionsto be aware of.

Here, we'll focus on sevenSoma interactionsin more detail.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• How do you take Soma?This muscle relaxer hasdosage recommendationsto keep in mind, and sticking to your prescriber's instructions can help keep side effects to a minimum.
• What are Soma's side effects?Besides its drug interactions,Soma's side effectsare also something to keep in mind.
• What are the different types of muscle relaxers?There areseveral muscle relaxerson the market, and they all have their own unique properties.

1. Alcohol

Alcoholcan have harmful effects on the body. For example, it can cause liver damage and affect your mood. And similar to Soma, it can also cause drowsiness and dizziness.

Combiningalcohol and Somacan lead to excessive sleepiness, trouble with coordination, andorthostatic hypotension(when your blood pressure drops when switching positions, such as standing up from a sitting position). This can lead to falls and injuries, which are especially dangerous for adultsover 65 years old.Older adults aremore at risk of serious consequencesfrom falls, such as hospitalizations and disability. In fact, Somaisn't recommended for adults over 65.This is especially true if you're taking other medications or substances that increase your fall risk.

What's more, the alcohol and Soma combination increases your risk of slowed breathing anddrug overdose. So it's best to avoid drinking alcohol while taking Soma. Have an honest discussion with your prescriber if you don't think you can stop drinking alcohol. They may recommend another medication besides Soma. Or, they may recommend resources tohelp you cut back on alcohol.

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2. Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax

Benzodiazepines are prescriptionsedative medications. Sedative medications "slow down" how quickly your brain works. They help you feel more relaxed or sleepy. Examples of benzodiazepines include Xanax (alprazolam), Ativan (lorazepam), and Valium (diazepam).

Although Soma isn't considered a true sedative, it has sedative-like effects. So Soma andbenzodiazepinesshare some common side effects. These include sleepiness, dizziness, and poor coordination. Combining Soma with benzodiazepines could make these effects worse. More seriously, slowed breathing,overdose, and death can happen in severe cases.

Additionally, benzodiazepines are also controlled substances. They can also cause dependence, misuse, and overdose. When combined with Soma, the risk is greater. That's why it's usually best to avoid combining benzodiazepines and Soma, especially for older adults who aremore at risk of side effects, such as injuries and falls.

3. Opioids, such as oxycodone

Opioidsare pain medications. Like Soma, they're controlled substances that can cause dependence and misuse. They also have similar side effects, such as drowsiness and dizziness.

Examples of opioids includeoxycodone(Roxicodone, OxyContin),hydrocodone(Hysingla ER), andtramadol(ConZip, Qdolo). Taking Soma with any opioid can increase your risk of side effects. Most seriously, it increases your risk ofopioid overdose. What's more, some research shows that the risk may begreater when combining opioids with Somacompared with other muscle relaxers.

Despite warnings from experts to avoid taking muscle relaxers and opioids together when possible, these medications are sometimesprescribed together. If this is the case for you, follow your prescriber's instructions exactly for how to take these medications. And report any symptoms of severe drowsiness or slowed breathing.

Additionally, if you're prescribed an opioid, it's a good idea for you and the people you live with to carry naloxone (Narcan,Zimhi) and nalmefene (Opvee, Zurnai). These are fast-acting medications that reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. They're available as nasal and injectable medications. In fact, naloxone isavailable over the counter.

4. Sleep medications, such as Ambien

Prescription sleep medications such as Ambien (zolpidem), Sonata (zaleplon), and Lunesta (eszopiclone) are best avoided if you take Soma.

When combined with Soma, these sleep aids can increase drowsiness. This can lead to excessive sleepiness, slowed or disorganized movements, and even overdose. Other sleep medications - such as doxepin (Silenor, Zonalon), Belsomra (suvorexant), andtrazodone(which is used off-label for sleep) - can also cause excessive drowsiness if used with Soma.

Even over-the-counter (OTC) sleep medications can lead to a Soma interaction. Examples includeBenadryl(diphenhydramine) andUnisom SleepTabs(doxylamine). And what's more, these medications are part of several combination OTC products, as well. If you take an OTC medication, check the label to see what is in it. And talk to your prescriber. They may recommend stopping it temporarily while you take Soma. In some cases, this may not bother you too much since Soma is only meant to be takenfor a few weeks, at most.

5. Other medications that cause drowsiness, such as gabapentin

Aside from those mentioned above, other medications can cause drowsiness. They have similar risks when combined with Soma, such as the potential to cause severe drowsiness and dizziness. Examples of these medications include:

• Other muscle relaxers, such astizanidine(Zanaflex) andmethocarbamol
• Tricyclic antidepressants, such asamitriptyline
• Anti-seizure medications, such as carbamazepine (Tegretol) andgabapentin(Neurontin)

Your prescriber may recommend an alternative to Soma if you take any of these medications. Or, they may suggest simply monitoring for increased drowsiness.

6. Medications that decrease Soma levels, such as rifampin

Soma is metabolized (broken down) by certain enzymes (proteins) in the liver. Some medications activate these enzymes, causing Soma toleave the body more quickly. This can make it less effective at treating muscle pain. Examples of medications that can have this effect on Soma are rifampin (Rifadin) and the herbal supplement St. John's wort.

Giving your pharmacist alist of the medicationsyou take can help them check for medications that may decrease Soma levels. If they find a potential interaction, talk to your prescriber about what to do next. They may recommend a change to your medication regimen.

7. Medications that increase Soma levels, such as Prilosec

Certain medications can slow how quickly Soma leaves the body, leading to higher levels of the medication in your blood. As a result, your risk of side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness may be higher. More seriously, this can lead to slowed breathing and overdose in severe cases.

Examples of medications that canincrease Soma levelsinclude Prilosec (omeprazole), Prozac (fluoxetine), and Luvox (fluvoxamine). Your prescriber can help you navigate these potential interactions and recommend what action to take next.

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" data-qa="ContentCalloutH2Title" The bottom line

Soma (carisoprodol) is a muscle relaxer that can help with muscle pain and spasms. It can interact with certain medications and substances. For example, combining alcohol and Soma can cause excessive drowsiness and dizziness. Rarely, it can lead to slowed breathing and overdose.

Similarly, Soma can interact with benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam) and opioids such as oxycodone (Roxicodone, OxyContin). It can also interact with sleep medications such as Ambien (zolpidem).

Ask your healthcare team to check for Soma interactions before you start taking it. To do this, give them an up-to-date list of your current medications, and let them know if you drink alcohol.

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