Soma is a brand name for carisoprodol, a prescription muscle relaxant. It is most commonly used to ease the pain and discomfort caused by muscle injuries. It works by interfering with pain signals between the nerves and the brain. It is very effective, but can be very addictive to some people. You must be very careful to follow your doctor's directions when taking this drug and not take it for a longer time period than absolutely necessary.

You may feel symptoms of withdrawal when quitting Soma after a long period of use. Common withdrawal symptoms include headache, nausea, stomach pain, sleep problems or convulsions. You should be under a doctor's supervision to stop taking Soma. Your doctor will most likely gradually wean you off of the drug to lessen withdrawal symptoms.

Soma should not be taken during pregnancy. Women trying to get pregnant should not take Soma. It can be harmful to an unborn baby. It is best to avoid this drug while breast-feeding, as it is not known if it passes into the breast milk. It should never be taken by a child under 12 years old.

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Soma. Signs of this are hives, difficult breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. This can be very serious. Contact your doctor right away if you think you could be having an allergic reaction.

Soma users may experience certain other side effects of the drug. These include drowsiness, dizziness, depression, irritability, vomiting, skin rash, clumsiness, headache and upset stomach. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.

More serious side effects are rare, but need immediate attention. These include paralysis or loss of feeling, fast heart rate, extreme weakness, loss of coordination, feelings of light-headedness, fainting, seizures, vision loss or confusion. Quit taking the drug and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.

You should not drink alcohol while taking Soma. It can increase drowsiness and dizziness and make it unsafe to drive or operate any kind of equipment that requires alertness. Taking soma with food or with milk may help prevent feelings of nausea.