Top 8 Carisoprodol ( Soma ) Alternatives in 2023

Humans like different options depending on their choices, factors, situations, likes, dislikes, etc. Despite ignoring some extreme walks, we need some other alternatives. 

Alternatives in Medicine are a beneficial factor in healing pain. Many times in medical history, using different medications lets the patient choose the alternative version, which works the same as the original Medicine. 

Pain medicine like Soma (Carisoprodol) has several alternative medications. Back pain and muscle spasms are joint yet painful ailments of the body. Remember, Soma is a prescribed medicine; hence, to choose from others, some medications can be tried for the same situation, simultaneously decreasing the interactions and addictions issues. Let’s have a look into the alternatives of Soma, but first.

A Short Brief Of Soma

Carisoprodol, known as Soma, is a powerful muscle relaxant used to treat musculoskeletal pain. The intensity of its rapid action gives users a high, euphoric feeling known as a high feeling.

Because of its sedating nature, Soma can sometimes be addictive. If Soma is consumed in high doses, it can intensify its effects and result in the patient feeling the same after-effects that doing drugs causes and becoming addicted. You cannot take Soma while pregnant or breastfeeding for several reasons. Due to heart palpitations and Soma affecting the heart-type situations, alternatives are preferred.

How Does Soma Work Effectively?

Muscle relaxers of different classes work in a way to relieve the pain. Soma is a widely prescribed muscle relaxer and one of the fast-affecting medicines. Carisoprodol effect can be felt in 30 mins at a peak rate. The mechanism of Soma plays an important role. 

Soma stops the pain sensations from reaching the brain. It means it sedates the nervous system and nerves supplying pain signals to relieve pain. Sedation is one of the critical factors in the working mechanism of Soma. This sedation method is also an off-label used for anxiety. Many times, Soma is also misinterpreted as a sleeping pill.

Top Alternatives For Soma

Methocarbamol

Brand name: Robaxin

Methocarbamol is one of the alternate medications prescribed in place of Soma. It is used as a muscle relaxant.

It is used along with physical therapy to treat musculoskeletal conditions.

Common Side effects:

• Mood swings
• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• Belching (burping)
• Insomnia
• Stomach pain
• Nausea

Side effects to look out for:

• Chest pain
• A black or tarry stool
• Dark urine
• Diarrhea
• Changes in skin color
• Hives developing on body parts
• Puffiness in the face
• Ulcers or sores forming in mouth or lips
• Vomiting blood

   Precautions:

• This drug should not be used in early pregnancy and breastfeeding. It may harm an unborn baby.
•  Patients with a history of seizures, kidney diseases, or myasthenia gravis should inform their doctor before intake.
• Do not consume Robaxin with alcohol, as it may cause serious side effects.
• Avoid driving or doing anything that requires you to be alert, as drug impairs and delays your thinking and actions.
•  Do not use methocarbamol if you are allergic to it.

Dosage:

• Take the dosage strictly as prescribed by your doctor or physician.
• Methocarbamol is consumed by either taking tablets orally or through an injection.
• Oral: these are taken by mouth. The initial dose is 1500 mg; it should be taken four times daily, which is later reduced after 2 to 3 days. 
• Injection: this is injected into a muscle. They are not administered subcutaneously, only for IV (intravenous) and IM (intramuscular) administration.

For IM: 500 mg into each gluteal region

For IV: inject undiluted iv into the vein at a rate of 300 mg /minute

Cyclobenzaprine

Brand names: Flexeril, Amrix, Fexmid

Cyclobenzaprine is an alternative for Soma for muscle relaxation.

Cyclobenzaprine is used to minister muscle spasms and help reduce pain caused by sprains or injuries.

Common side effects:

• Fatigue
• Xerostomia (dry mouth)
• Nausea
• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Constipation
• Confusion or nervousness
• bloating
• Blurry vision

Side effects to look out for:

•  hallucinations
•  Eyes or skin yellowing
• Irregular heartbeats
• Seizure
• Hives/skin rash
• Depression
•  Vomiting

Precautions:

• This drug should only be used for pregnant females if essential, so clarify with your doctor and proceed with consumption.
• As this drug is associated with tricyclic antidepressants, it tends to be excreted in human milk, so caution is required.
• Avoid Cyclobenzaprine and alcohol.
• It causes confusion and drowsiness, so participating in risky activities is not advised.

Inform your doctor know if you have any of the following:

1. thyroid disease
2. heart diseases
3. liver disease
4. glaucoma
5. victim of heart attack
6. enlarged prostate
7. trouble with urination

Do not consume it if you are allergic to it or have

Dosage:

The medically recommended dose of cyclobenzaprine is 5 or 10 mg thrice daily for IR tablets (Immediate Release tablets are formulated to dissolve or disintegrate after swallowing.)

OR

15 or 30 mg once daily consuming extended-release tablets (extended-release tablets are formulated so that the medication dissolves slowly over time, this causes fewer side effects to take place in the body)

Metaxalone

Brand name: Skelaxin

Metaxalone works as a skeletal muscle relaxant. It takes effect by blocking nerve impulses in the brain. It is prescribed for muscle pain caused by injury, sprain, and Fibromyalgia. It consists of soothing properties.

Common Side effects:

• Constipation
• Drowsiness
• Feeling nervous
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Feeling anxious

Side effects to look out for:

• Anxiety
• Stomach, back, and leg aches
• Nosebleeds
• A black, tarry stool
• Bleeding gums
• Diarrhea
• Puffy face
• Hives
• Loss of appetite
• Twitching
• Vomiting blood
• Chest pain

Precautions:

No data on the Safety of pregnant or breastfeeding women consuming metaxalone is provided. Ingesting is not recommended.

• Not to be consumed with alcohol.
• Not to be finished with Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants. It might increase the soothing effect on the body.
• Patients suffering from liver damage should be careful
• Nursing/ breastfeeding mothers should not consume as drugs are prone to be excreted in breast milk.
• Look out for signs of Serotonin Syndrome(SS).

Signs include:

• Agitation
• Hypertonia
• Clonus
• Diaphoresis
• Hyperreflexia

Dosage:

The suggested standard dose is intaking one 800 mg tablet 3 to 4 times daily.

Tizanidine

Brand name: Zanaflex

Tizanidine falls under the category of central alpha-2-adrenergic agonists. It can be used to reduce muscle spasms related to spinal injury as well as pain caused due to muscle spasms.

Common side effects:

• Asthenia (unusual weakness)
• Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
• Burning sensation during urinating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Xerostomia (dry mouth due to medication)
• Fever
• Lightheaded
• Constipation
• Sore throat

Side effects to look out for:

• Kidney stones.
• Hallucinations
• Itchy skin
•  Severe sleepiness
• Skin, lips, and fingernails turning faint blue

Precautions:

• Medication is expected to be excreted in breast milk, so breastfeeding and nursing women are not suggested to consume Zanaflex.
• There is no empirical research data about pregnant women, so not ingesting is better to avoid health risks.
• Drinking alcohol is not advised while taking Zanaflex.
• Partaking in operating machinery, driving, etc., is risky and should be avoided to not cause bodily harm.
• Tizanidine causes allergies in patients like urticaria (hives) and anaphylaxis.
•  Patients suffering from renal impairment should be careful.
• Patients suffering from hepatic impairment should be careful.

Dosage:

• Capsules can also be consumed by opening and sprinkling them in food.
• Medication is available in tablet as well as capsule form.
• A starting dose of 2 mg is to be taken thrice in 24 hours.
• The dosage can be increased steadily from 2 mg to 4 mg.
• The total daily amount should always be, at most, the limit of 36 mg.

Baclofen

Brand name: Kemstro, Gablofen, Lioresal

Baclofen, or Lioresal, is a skeletal muscle relaxant effective in treating muscle pain and spasms.it is prescribed for spinal cord diseases, sclerosis, flexor spasms, concomitant pain, clonus, and muscular rigidity.

Common side effects:

• Insomnia
• Nausea
• Headache
• Frequent urination
• Weakness
• Drowsiness

Side effects to look out for:

• Seizure
• Swelling in the face or throat
• Fever
• Hallucinations
• Shortness of breath
• Hives
• Tingling or numbness in limbs

Precautions:

• Causes withdrawal symptoms.
• Activities requiring motor control, alertness, and balance should be avoided when under the influence of medication.
• Patients suffering from renal impairment should be careful. 
• It may increase the risk of ovarian cysts.
• Pregnant or nursing women should NOT consume. Consuming baclofen during pregnancy will harm the offspring’s mental state.
• Not appropriate consumption for below 12-year-olds.

Inform your physician know if you are suffering from any of the following:

1. Mental illnesses
2. Epilepsy (stroke)
3. Nervous system disorder
4. Kidney disease

Dosage:

• The medication is provided in tablet form as well as in a solution.
• The recommended dose for the solution is 5 ml thrice a day for three days a day (not more than 80 mg daily, that is 20 mg 4 times daily.)
• The recommended tablet dose is 5 mg thrice a day (not more than 80 mg daily, 20 mg 4 times a day.)

Oxazepam and Diazepam

Brand name: Serax and Valium, respectively

Oxazepam and diazepam both belong to the benzodiazepine class of drugs. Drugs that fall under the benzodiazepine class are a group of nervous system depressants. They are prescribed for treating conditions such as anxiety, seizures, insomnia, panic attacks, and spasms. They work as sedatives by inducing mild effects.

Common side effects:

• Menstrual changes
• Increased interest in sexual intercourse
• Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• Excessive salivation
• Diplopia (seeing double)
• Constipation

Side effects to look out for:

• hallucinations
• side or lower back pain
• nightmares
• vomiting blood
• seizures
• agitation
• dark urine
• a black, tarry stool
• trouble concentrating
• irregular breathing
• fast heartbeat

Precautions:

• Benzodiazepine use is advised to be avoided for childbearing females. Benzodiazepine puts the child at risk for withdrawal symptoms. It causes congenital disabilities.
• Drugs get excreted in breast milk. Thus, consumption during the breastfeeding phase is NOT recommended.
• It should not be consumed with a combination of alcohol or grapefruit/ grapefruit juice.
• Activities requiring motor control, alertness, and balance should be avoided when under the influence of medication.
• Increase suicidal thoughts
• Withdrawal symptoms may occur after prolonged use of medication.

Not suitable for people with the following:

• History of substance abuse
• Respiratory conditions
• Glaucoma
• Liver diseases
• Kidney diseases

Dosage:

Misuse of these drugs can result in overdose, addiction, and even death.

For Oxazepam:

• The standard dose for users is 10 to 15 mg tablets orally 3 or 4 times daily.
• The increased amount for users is 15 to 30 mg orally 3 or 4 times daily.
• For Diazepam:
• Oral: 2 to 10 mg taken orally 3 or 4 times a day
• Parenteral: 2 to 5 mg IV / IM in 3 to 4 hours
• Or 5 to 10 mg IV / IM in 3 to 4 hours.
• Depending on the severity of the condition.

Chlorzoxazone

Brand name: Paraflex, Lorzone

Chlorzoxazone is a muscle relaxant used to treat skeletal muscle conditions like pain, muscle spasms, and injury. Some muscle relaxers are considered narcotics, but Chlorzoxazone is not a narcotic.

Common side effects:

• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Vomiting
• Headache

Side effects to look out for:

• Skin rash
• Nausea
• Dark urine
• Yellowing of eyes and skin
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Anorexia

Precautions:

• There is no empirical research data about the Safety of pregnant women when consuming chlorzoxazone. Therefore should only be destroyed if the physician advises so.
• It should not be consumed with alcohol.
• Patients with a history of drug allergies should be cautious about intake.

Dosage:

The standard dose is 375 mg tablet 3 or 4 times a day

The dosage can be increased from one to two tablets (750 mg) 3 or 4 times daily for better results.

Orphenadrine

Brand name: Norflex, Invagesic Orphenadrine is a skeletal muscle relaxant.

Orphenadrine is generally prescribed for the treatment of symptoms of muscle spasms as well as for other conditions such as migraines. Its inducing effects are similar to Carisoprodol effects known for producing euphoric feelings in the mind.

Common side effects:

• Anxiety
• Itchy skin
• Numbness around mouth, hands, or feet
• Dilated pupils
• Muscle weakness
• Trembling body
• Confusion

Side effects to look out for:

• Chest pain
• Labored breathing
•  Hives
• Sores or ulcers in the mouth
• Fever
•  Hallucinations
• Headache
• Nausea
• Glaucoma
•  Abdominal pain
•  Vomiting

Precautions:

• Orphenadrine should be prescribed to pregnant women only if
• Desperately required.
• Activities requiring motor control, alertness, and balance should be avoided when under the influence of medication.

Patients suffering from the following conditions should be careful with this medication:

• Tachycardia
• Coronary insufficiency
• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Cardiac decompensation

Contraindicated in patients with the following:

• Glaucoma
• Pyloric stenosis
• Stenosing peptic ulcers
• (BPH) Benign prostate enlargement
• Myasthenia gravis
• Cardio spasm

Dosage:·

• Orphenadrine medication is available in tablet form as well as in injections.
• Tablets: Orphenadrine 100 mg extended-release tablets should be taken twice a day (100 mg 2 times a day) orally

 Injection: Orphenadrine 60 mg IV or IM parenteral injections are to be injected every 12 hours (60 mg IV/IM every 12 hours)

What Care Should Be Taken While Choosing Alternatives?

While moving over to the alternatives, some precautions to be followed for effective and safe use:

• Doctor’s first advice: There are many Otc and prescribed painkillers available in the market, and the right one to choose should be done under consultation to avoid dependency, addiction, and related issues.
• No Sudden Stop: Consuming medicine on a dosage base creates a cycle and rhythm in the body for a certain period. When you suddenly put a full stop to the consumption, the system gets disturbed and yields the side effects of the painkillers.
• Avoid Combo: Your body is not a glass of cocktails where you can combine many things at once. Combining muscle relaxers or other medicines can throw you into a critical state, and you must bear medical expenses.
• Follow The Prescription: If you are about to try prescribed-based alternatives. Always follow the dose mentioned as per the paper.

Conclusion

Alternatives, options, and choices make tackling various issues from various walks of life more manageable. Soma is indeed a potent muscle relaxer. However, everybody differs from each other, and so as their medical history, they resumed medicines. Alternatives of Carisoprodol help people adjust to their issues and heal the pain.