Robaxin Vs. Soma: Which is the Best Muscle Relaxer? 26 Apr 2024 By Agnes Smith | Categories: Soma Robaxin vs. Soma is a comparative blog of the two most popular muscle relaxers based on various factors such as mechanism of action, dosage, precautionary measures, etc. Robaxin and Soma are muscle-relaxing agents. This blog is a comprehensive guide where we have laid out all the factual analyses and compared them against each other. Most people suffering from body pain always wonder about Soma vs. Robaxin. Here is the complete description, which will make your task easier. Robaxin vs. Soma: An Overview Robaxin is a medication that falls under the class of Muscle Relaxers. It is the brand name for the drug Methacarbonal. The drug is used to treat Skeletal Muscle Conditions like Pain, muscle spasms, and injury. It is a short-term pain reliever that also treats strains and fractures. The Use Of Methacarbonal has been approved since the year 1957 for Muscle spasms. It is not considered a Controlled Substance. The Generic Version of the brand Soma is Carisoprodol. The medication is used to treat conditions like muscle pain, injuries, and sprains. It is a prescription-based drug. The Use of Carisoprodol was approved by the FDA in the year 1959. It comes under Schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act [1]. Working Mechanisms Of Both Muscle Relaxers Here, we analyze the muscle-relaxing properties of Robaxin and Soma. Mechanism of Action of Soma The mechanism of action of Soma is it is a central nervous system depressant that acts as a skeletal and sedative muscle relaxant. Rather than directly acting on skeletal muscle, Soma interrupts neuronal communication within the reticular formation and spinal cord, which in turn results in an alteration in pain perception. Mechanism of Action of Robaxin Robaxin works by blocking the pain signals that are sent to the brain, which are caused due to musculoskeletal conditions. Robaxin also relaxes the muscle by depressing the central nervous system. Differences And Similarities Between Robaxin And Soma Carisoprodol and Methocarbamol are both Muscle Relaxers. They share similarities as well as some differences. Similarities between Soma and Robaxin 1. Both drugs are generally prescribed for similar conditions as they belong to the group of muscle relaxants. 2. Robaxin and Soma can be used for 3–4 weeks to relieve pain related to musculoskeletal disorders. 3. The common side effects of both drugs include headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, Insomnia, and vomiting. Distinctions between Carisoprodol and Methocarbamol Carisoprodol Methocarbamol Brand Names Soma Robaxin Form Tablet Tablet, Injection Half-Life 1-3 hours. 1-2 hours. Manufacturer HAB pharmaceuticals Pfizer Structural Differences Dosage Regimen Of Both Muscle Relaxers Ingesting the correct dosage is essential for getting the best benefit from the medication and avoiding side effects. Soma Dosage Guide The recommended dose for Soma is 250mg to 350mg three times a day and at bedtime. Carisoprodol tablets should be used for a maximum of 2–3 weeks. Long-term use should be completely avoided in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms [2]. Robaxin Dosage Guide The recommended dose for Robaxin is three tablets of 500 mg or two tablets of 750mg four times a day. If any of the doses are missed, you should immediately take the dose as soon as you remember it. If the next dose is approaching, you should skip the dose and continue your normal schedule. You should not double the doses [3]. However, You should consult with your doctor before taking any of the above Muscle Relaxers. Administration Of Robaxin And Soma Administration of Soma Carisoprodol is available in tablet form, and you can take it by mouth with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the tablet. As per your doctor's advice, you can take the medication with or without food [4]. Administration of Robaxin Robaxin is available in two forms, that is, in the form of a tablet and injections so that it can be swallowed with water or injected. Robaxin Oral Administration should be done by mouth with a glass of water without chewing or crushing it. Intravenous Administration: This can be taken undiluted by direct IV injection that is injected through the veins at a speed of 300mg per minute. Intramuscular Intake: The medication can also be taken intramuscularly without dilution. The maximum dose is 500mg. Precautionary Measures Before Taking Any Of The Muscle Relaxers Each medication has safety measures to ensure it is safe for you. The measures help in determining who should use the medicine and how you should be cautious with other health conditions. You should consult with your doctor about your conditions to avoid any kind of risk. The precautionary measures for both drugs are given below: Precautionary Measures for Robaxin 1. You should inform your doctor about your health condition if you have any kind of liver disease or kidney dysfunction. 2. You must inform your doctor if you are prone to any kind of allergy. The medicine must contain inactive ingredients that might cause severe allergic reactions. 3. The drug is not recommended for people under 16 years of age. 4. The Drug should not be used by people over 65 years of age. 5. You should inform your doctor at the time of Pregnancy. Avoid taking Contraceptives. 6. You should completely avoid the drug during breastfeeding. This might harm your baby. Precautionary Measures for Soma 1. The drug causes dizziness or drowsiness. You should completely avoid this drug while driving or doing any such activities. 2. Using the drug for a longer period of time leads to physical as well as psychological dependency. Suddenly cutting it off might lead to the occurrence of Withdrawal symptoms. 3. You should speak with your doctor if you have a history of seizures. This might increase the effects at higher doses. 4. The medication might cause serious allergic reactions like Swelling of the face, lips, and tongue, problems in breathing, etc. 5. Avoid drinking alcohol while consuming this medicine. 6. You should inform your doctor if you have serious liver disease. 7. Avoid taking Soma during pregnancy and breastfeeding to ensure the safety of the fetus. 8. The drug must be completely avoided at the time of breastfeeding [1]. Potential Side Effects of Soma And Robaxin The muscle relaxers also come with some adverse side effects. The potential Side effects of Soma and Robaxin are given below: Side Effects of Soma Side Effects of Robaxin Stomach Upset and Vomiting Insomnia Increased Heart Rate Nausea Skin Rashes Vomiting Headache Lack of Coordination Dizziness Confusion Drowsiness Jaundice Black tarry stools Slow Heartbeats Fever and chills Flushing Sore throat Headache Cough Dizziness Swollen Glands Drowsiness The above-mentioned are some of the Side Effects that might occur while consuming this medicine. However, you should immediately consult your health experts if you experience any of the severe Side Effects. Interaction of Soma And Robaxin with Other Drugs The two muscle relaxers might cause serious interactions with different substances. Some of the Drug Interactions between Soma and Robaxin are given below: Drug Drug Class Soma Robaxin Alprazolam Benzodiazepines Yes Yes Alcohol Alcohol Yes Yes Cetirizine Antihistamines Yes Yes Codeine Opioids Yes Yes Amitriptyline Tricyclic Antidepressants Yes Yes Citalopram SSRI Antidepressants Yes Yes Eszopiclone Sedative Hypnotics Yes Yes Pentobarbital Barbiturates Yes Yes 328 Medications are found to interact with Robaxin, and 350 Medications are found to interact with Soma; out of them, 27 are major, 322 are moderate, and 1 is a minor health issue [5]. Alternatives To Robaxin And Soma For Muscle Pain Relief And Management Some of the alternatives to Robaxin and Soma For Muscle Pain Relief and Management are- 1. Cyclobenzaprine 2. Baclofen 3. Zanaflex 4. Diazepam 5. Tizanidine 6. Valium. Robaxin vs. Soma: Which Is More Effective? To clearly understand which one is effective or which muscle relaxer to choose, there is a need to specify the pros and cons of both substances. Soma Pros and Cons SOMA PROS SOMA CONS Side Effects are mild to moderate Long-term use of the Drug is not recommended. Cheaper as compared to Robaxin and affordable It has a higher risk of abuse It works within 30 minutes of intake Use of the drug is unsafe for pregnant and breastfeeding women It has a longer Action time as compared to Robaxin It is not recommended for people above 65 years of age or below 17 years of age. The medicine can be administered 3–4 times a day. Soma Pill has a higher user review and rating. It treats a wider range of Pain. Robaxin Pros and Cons ROBAXIN PROS ROBAXIN CONS The onset of action is 30 minutes It has a lesser degree of Action as compared to Soma A physician might recommend the medicine for long-term use. It is costlier as compared to Soma It has a lower risk of abuse It is generally recommended for muscle pain The chances of withdrawal symptoms are low The user ratings and reviews of Robaxin are low Now, from the above comparative analysis, you can clearly choose which muscle relaxer to opt for regardless of the time of action, cost, etc. Methocarbamol Vs. Carisoprodol: Our Final Verdict Based on our findings, we can conclude that Soma is the best muscle relaxer because of its effectiveness, lower price, reviews, and ratings. If you struggle with muscle pain or any other related discomfort, Soma is what you need. With Online pills, you can now buy Soma pills at great discounted prices. So, what are you waiting for? Visit online pills today! Author’s Note: The above-mentioned factual descriptions are based on our knowledge and research. However, one should consult their doctor before ingesting the medicines. If you want to know how Soma or Carisoprodol muscle relaxants differ from opioid medications, then you can check out our Soma vs Tramadol comparative guide.
