Generic Soma

 

 

 

Soma (Carisoprodol) is a prescription drug and comes under the class of drugs known as skeletal muscle relaxants. The treatment with Carisoprodol for muscle spasms is usually short-term in nature and takes 2 to 3 weeks only. The trade name Soma is manufactured by Meda Pharmaceuticals in 250 mg strength. However, it is no longer protected by any patent. Therefore, generic Soma is widely available in the market.

 

Though the brand name Soma is supplied only in 250 mg Carisoprodol, generic Soma tablets are obtainable only in a different strength – Carisoprodol 350 mg tablets. Till date, you won’t find any generic versions of Soma 250 mg tablets. Manufacturers of generic Soma are many and a few of them include CorePharma, Major Pharmaceuticals, Medisca, Inc., Actavis, Inc., Meridian Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Watson Laboratories, and Mutual Pharmaceutical Company, Inc.

 

People may compare the brand-name Soma with its generic versions for effectiveness and safety. As per norms, all generic drugs must pass through certain tests in order to make them eligible for comparison with brand-name drugs. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will then analyze these tests in detail to determine whether the generics are on a par with the branded ones. It also assigns each generic medication a rating. A rating of “AB” by the FDA denotes that a generic medicine is equivalent to a brand-name medicine. At present, all generic versions of Soma (Carisoprodol) bear an “AB” rating that implies they must be on equal terms with Soma.

 

However, the only problem associated with these generic medications is they allow different inactive ingredients in their formulations than the brand-name medications. These inactive ingredients may include dyes or fillers or other components that may create problems for people with allergies or sensitivities.

 

We’ll now discuss the possible Soma abuses. Most people perceive that Soma (Carisoprodol) has no potential for abuse as it is not a controlled substance. To their disbelief, it is really a commonly abused medication. That’s why many healthcare providers want the medication to be categorized again as a controlled substance which would put it under the watchful eyes of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

 

When Soma (Carisoprodol) is taken for more than 2 or 3 weeks, it could increase the risk of drug dependence and possibly drug abuse. This medication does not promote addiction itself. But, the liver metabolizes Carisoprodol into meprobamate which is a controlled substance with the potential to be abused. Meprobamate is a different medication altogether with considerable anti-anxiety properties. Hypothetically, the risks of Soma abuse are brighter in those patients whose livers are functioning efficiently at metabolizing Carisoprodol into meprobamate.

 

People who are more inclined towards alcohol or drug abuse may abuse Soma significantly. For those people, Soma is not a good option. They must be prescribed some other muscle relaxants with no potential for abuse. You should avoid alcohol or addicting medications to keep a control over Soma abuse.