DANGER SCALE
Soma
Soma is a muscle relaxer, and its generic name is carisoprodol. It’s used to treat muscle pain, and usually used with rest and physical therapy. It typically is prescribed in 350mg pills and a typical prescription is one pill 3-4 times per day.
How do people get it?
It’s prescribed for muscle pain and relaxation.
How is it dangerous?
There are risks for withdrawals from the substance and at high doses there is a risk of withdrawal seizures. Similarly to Benzodiazepines, Soma is a schedule IV substance by the Federal government. This designates it as low risk of abuse and that it does have verifiable medical benefits. When combined with opiates or benzodiazepines there is an increased risk for abuse. There has been a rise in use and abuse of Soma over the past decade.
“Moreover, while the number of reports regarding carisoprodol abuse continues to increase, there has been little progress in the treatment of carisoprodol dependence and withdrawal. At present, treatment consists of brief courses with benzodiazepines or phenobarbital to combat anxiety and insomnia. Furthermore, treatment of carisoprodol overdose is complicated as it is often characterized by agitation and seizures, and the administration of anticonvulsants and sedatives exacerbates CNS depression, leaving supportive therapy as a preferred course of action.”