Are you suffering from muscle pain and discomfort? If yes, you’re not alone. Millions of people in the United States of America suffer from muscle tension, spasms, and other painful muscle-related issues and often turn to medications like Flexeril and Soma to get rid of the pain. However, choosing the right option can be tough, especially considering the two available options.

Soma and Flexeril, containing the active compound carisoprodol and cyclobenzaprine, are two of the most commonly prescribed muscle relaxants in the UK and USA. While both these medicines can effectively relieve muscle pain, they have different mechanisms of action.

Therefore, it is essential to know the differences between Flexeril and Soma before deciding which one to choose. This blog covers all the specific details about Flexeril vs. Soma so that you can make an informed decision.

A few notable characteristics between Soma and Flexeril are as follows –

Similarities Between Flexeril And Soma Pills

Some of the similarities between Flexeril and Soma pain relief medication include the following –

Short-Term Use

Both these medications are used as short-term treatments and are not recommended for long-term use without medical supervision.

Prescription Use

Both Soma and Flexeril are prescription-based medications and are not available over the counter, highlighting the need for monitoring of medical providers when used for muscle relaxation.

Indication

Flexeril and Soma pills are skeletal muscle relaxants that help treat pain caused by muscle strain, spasms, and sprain.

FDA-Approval

Carisoprodol was approved by the FDA  in 1959, whereas cyclobenzaprine was approved in 1977.

People who are looking forward to managing their body pain with Carisoprodol can visit our product category page, “Soma pills,” to see the various brand versions of this medication.

How Is Flexeril Different From Soma?

Apart from numerous similarities, there are various differences between Soma and Flexeril, which are listed below.

Working Mechanism : Soma works by inhibiting the transmission of pain signals from the brain to the muscles. It does this by binding to a protein in the CNS (central nervous system) called the GABA-A receptor, which helps regulate muscle tone and movement. By binding to the GABA-A receptor, Carisoprodol helps reduce muscle spasms and discomfort.

Flexeril works by inhibiting the action of certain nerve impulses in the brain that control muscle movement. It does this by inhibiting the reuptake of a brain chemical, norepinephrine, in the central nervous system. By inhibiting the reuptake of this neurotransmitter, Flexeril helps to reduce muscle spasms and discomfort.

Dosage : Soma pill is usually prescribed 250 mg to 350 mg, three times a day, daily for beginners. Individuals with severe body pain are prescribed a higher dosage of this medicine, which is Soma 500 mg.

Flexeril is taken orally, three times daily, with or without food. The recommended initial dosage for Flexeril is 5-10 mg three times a day, depending on the severity of your muscle discomfort and pain.

Side Effects Differences Between Soma And Flexeril : Side effects of Soma include – vomiting, rashes, upset stomach, increased heart rate, and dizziness.

If you want to learn more about all the possible side effects of Carisoprodol, you can refer to the complete list of soma side effects on Drugs.

Some common side effects of Flexeril include – indigestion, nausea, constipation, dry mouth, and tiredness.

Drug Interactions : Carisoprodol can interact with 370 drugs. Of the total drug interactions, 28 are major, 341 are moderate, and 1 is minor.  On the other hand, cyclobenzaprine interacts with 443 drugs. Of the total drug interactions, 91 are major, 346 are moderate, and 6 are minor [5] [6].

This is not the complete list of all the medicines that can interact with Soma or Flexeril.

Pregnancy Category

Carisoprodol is classified as a Category C  pregnancy medication, whereas Flexeril is a Category B pregnancy drug.

Category B pregnancy medicines show no risk in animal studies. They also have no adequate studies in pregnant females. Whereas in Category C drugs, animal studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus.

Safety Measures While Taking These Medicines

• Don’t consume alcohol with these medications because they can cause severe dizziness.
• Never take Soma and Flexeril together.
• People with liver issues should be cautious about using these skeletal muscle relaxers.
• Do not take Flexeril and Soma for more than three weeks.
• Flexeril and Soma can cause dizziness. Therefore, driving and operating heavy machinery should be avoided while taking these drugs.

Conclusion

Muscle pain can be uncomfortable and can impact one’s quality of life. Both Soma and Flexeril are very effective medications to provide relief from musculoskeletal pain. However, we recommended taking these medicines with proper consultation with a medical provider to avoid adverse events.