An Introduction to Soma Side Effects
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with
Soma® (
carisoprodol). However, not everyone who takes the medication will have problems. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Soma. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Soma side effects with you.)
Common Side Effects Seen With Soma
Soma has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials. In these studies, the side effects that occur in a group of people taking the drug are documented and are then compared to side effects that occur in another group of people not taking the medicine. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
In these studies, the most common Soma side effects included:
- Drowsiness -- in up to 17 percent of people
- Dizziness -- up to 8 percent
- Headaches -- up to 5 percent.
Side Effects of Soma to Report
There are a number of possible side effects with Soma that you should report to your healthcare provider. These include, but are not limited to:
- Seizures
- Fainting
- A rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
- Depression
- Feeling a need to take Soma more often than prescribed or when a medical problem no longer exists (see Soma Abuse)
- Signs of an allergic reaction, including unexplained rash, hives, itching, unexplained swelling, wheezing, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
