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What is the difference between Flexeril and Soma?

Flexeril and Soma

Description of Flexeril and Soma:

Difference: Soma and Flexeril: Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine): Flexeril is used in the treatment of chronic pain and belongs to the drug class narcotic analgesic combinations. The risk factor cannot be ruled out during pregnancy and its aftermath. The baby can be affected with the side effects of the medicine. The generic name of Flexeril is Cyclobenzaprine. Flexeril helps to relax the muscles and relieve the pain. Since Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is widely used to treat muscle spasms and is available in the generic form, however, it is not recommended to use it in the long term.

Soma (Carisoprodol): Soma is used in the treatment of chronic pain and belongs to the drug class narcotic analgesic combinations. The risk factor cannot be ruled out during pregnancy and its aftermath. The baby can be affected with the side effects of the medicine. The generic name of Soma is Carisoprodol. Soma (Carisoprodol) helps to relax the muscles and relieve the pain. Since Soma 350mg (Carisoprodol) is widely used to treat muscle spasms and is available in the generic form, however, it is not recommended to use it in the long term.

Merits of Flexeril and Soma:

The merits of Flexeril is given below

  • Flexeril relieves pain associated with muscle spasms.
  • Flexeril is usually available in the generic form.
  • Recommended to pregnant women. However, the medical/ clinical consult is mendarty

The merits of Soma is given below

  • Soma works effectively and patients feel quick relief after intake and experiment improvement in function.
  • Usually Soma is available in the Generic form.
  •  Soma used to be available in two different strengths.

 

Demerits of Soma and Flexeril:

The demerits of the Flexeril are given below.

  • Flexeril can be habit forming and cause dizziness and sleepiness.
  • Not recommended for long-term therapy.
  • Not recommended in elderly patients, people with glaucoma, or in people with heart conditions (like rhythm problems, heart failure, or recent heart attack).
  • Flexeril can make skin and mouth dry.
  • In the case of brain and spinal injuries Flexeril is not effective for muscle spasms.

The demerits of the Soma are given below.

  • Soma is a more addictive medicine than Flexeril, therefore it is not the first choice for treating muscle spasms or muscle pain.
  • Soma can cause dizziness and sleepiness and it is not recommended to drive or work on anything which needs an attentive mind.
  • Soma is not meant for long-term therapy, because it hasn’t been shown to be effective after taking it for a short period.
  • Soma can cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it suddenly.

Usage of  Soma and Flexeril:

Flexeril is used in the treatment of severe pain. Flexeril helps to relax the muscles and relieve the pain. Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is widely used to treat muscle spasms and Fibromyalgia. Moreover it is available in the generic form. 

However, Soma is used in the treatment of muscle’ pain. Soma (Carisoprodol) helps to relax the muscles and relieve the pain. Moreover  Soma (Carisoprodol) is widely used to treat muscle spasms and joint pain treatment and it is available in the generic form.

 

Dosage and Administration of Flexeril and Soma:

Flexeril is recommended to take 5 mg three times in a day based on the individual patient response. Moreover the dosage can increase to 10 mg three times in a day. Use of Flexeril for a longer period than two or three weeks is not recommended. The form of the medicine can be both pills and liquid.

Moreover, Soma is recommended to intake 250 to 350 mg orally 3 times in the day, based on the individual patient response. The duration of therapy can be exceeded to 2 to 3 weeks, as this medicine should only be used for short periods as there is inadequate evidence of effectiveness for more prolonged use and acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions are generally of short duration. The form of the medicine can be pills.

 

Side effects of Flexeril and Soma:

Side effects of Flexeril are caused by its opioid nature, which can cause several symptoms especially in the time of initial phase.  

The Side effects of Flexeril includes,

Dry mouth: 6%

Dizziness: 3%

Fatigue: 3%

Nausea: 3%

 

Side effects of Soma are caused by its high effectiveness and overdoses. Moreover, it is recommended not to misuse the dosages and intake as per prescribed by the medical/ clinical professionals.

The Side effects of Flexeril includes,

Drowsiness: 13%

Dizziness: 8%

Headache: 5%

 

Risk factors of Soma and Flexeril

Risk factors of Flexeril

The first risk factor of Flexeril includes Serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) and Taking other medications for your mood.

Other symptoms are dizziness and sleepiness, which increase in case the patient is drug addicted or an alcoholic.

Moreover, heart attack, strokes, dehydration and overactive thyroid includes the risk factor of the Flexeril.

 

Risk factors of Soma

The risk factor of Soma includes Sleepiness and dizziness, therefore it is prohibited to use other medications that also cause sleepiness. Moreover,  recreational use of drug and alcohol consumption causes more risk especially in the adults. Withdrawal effects of Soma can be additive as a drug in the case of prolonged use of the medicine.

Seizure of Soma (Carisoprodol) appears in the case prior history of overdoses of drug of abuse, recreational drug or alcohol.

 

Conclusion

Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is widely used to treat muscle spasms and is available as a generic, but it shouldn’t be used long-term. Also Soma (carisoprodol) is used for muscle spasms and muscle pain but it’s not considered a first-choice treatment and not meant for long-term therapy. 

However, after analysis of both of the medicine, and the convenience of the patient Flexeril  (cyclobenzaprine)  is slightly better than the Soma (carisoprodol). Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) has a lesser reactive component than Soma (carisoprodol). Therefore Flexeril has lesser side effects than Soma. For the same reason usually, Flexeril  (cyclobenzaprine) is prescribed to adult patients as well. 

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