When it comes to managing muscle pain, two medications often come up: Soma and Tizanidine. Both are well-known muscle relaxants, but they work in distinct ways, have different adverse effects, and exhibit some other notable differences as well.

If you are dealing with muscle spasms from neurological conditions, chronic back pain, or recovering from an injury, understanding the differences between these medications can help you choose the correct medicine with your doctor for your condition.

In this comparative blog, we will examine Soma pills and Tizanidine in detail, including their mechanisms of action, effectiveness, side effects, and recommended dosages.

What is Tizanidine?

Tizanidine is a prescription drug that comes as an oral capsule and an oral tablet. It is available as both a generic and brand-name drug. One of its most popular brand versions is Zanaflex. Depending on the manufacturer and dosage strengths, Tizanidine tablets may have several imprint codes. The most common imprint codes of Tizanidine are “U 168” and “U 169”.

Tizanidine belongs to a group of drugs called alpha-2-adrenergic agonists.

Tizanidine pills work by reducing the activity of nerves in the spinal cord that control muscles. This mechanism helps reduce muscle spasms [1].

What is Soma?

Soma is a prescription medication that is used as part of a combination therapy.

It belongs to a group of drugs called skeletal muscle relaxants and works by preventing your nervous system from sending pain signals to your brain [2].

Indications: Soma Vs Tizanidine

Tizanidine is approved for treating:

• Spasticity can occur in conditions like spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis.
• As an adjunct therapy to rest and physical therapy for relief of muscle spasms associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions.

On the other hand, Soma is approved for:

• Relieving discomfort associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions in adults.

Remember, both of these medications are part of a comprehensive treatment program that includes physical therapies and rest.

Differences: Tizanidine Vs Soma

Some of the main differences between Soma and Tizanidine pills are discussed in the table below:

Similarities Between Tizanidine And Carisoprodol

The following are the key similarities between Carisoprodol and Tizanidine.

Central nervous system effects: Both Soma and Tizanidine act on the central nervous system to help muscle relaxation.

Prescribed for Short-Term Use: Both muscle relaxants are typically prescribed for short-term use to manage muscle pain. Long-term use is generally not recommended because of their risks of dependence or tolerance.

Drug Interactions: Both medications have the potential to interact with CNS depressants, such as alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines.

Withdrawal Symptoms: Abrupt discontinuation of either drug can lead to withdrawal symptoms after long-term use. Therefore, gradual tapering is recommended under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

Pregnancy Category: Both Tizanidine and Soma are Pregnancy category C drugs, which means taking either medicine can cause adverse effects on the fetus according to animal studies, and there are no adequate studies in humans.

Side Effects Experienced by Users of Both Muscle Relaxers

Common side effects associated with the use of Soma and Tizanidine are:

Get a more detailed understanding of the side effects of Soma (Carisoprodol) by visiting our detailed guide on this topic.

Dosage Guidelines: Tizanidine Vs.Carisoprodol

Tizanidine : As mentioned, Tizanidine is available in both capsule and tablet forms, which come in dose strengths of 2 mg and 4 mg. However, a 6 mg capsule is also available.

Tizadine is often taken as needed. The starting dosage of this medicine is 2 mg every 6 to 8 hours. Generally, doctors do not recommend more than 3 doses each day.

Depending on how you respond to the medicine, your prescriber may increase your doses by 2 mg to 4 mg every few days.

The maximum daily dose of this medication is 16 mg, and the maximum dose within a 24-hour period is 36 mg [6].

Soma : The typical starting dose of Soma is between 250 mg and 350 mg, taken 3 times a day and at bedtime.

For example, if you wake up at 7:00 a.m., you may take your first Soma dose at that time. Your next dose may be around 1 pm and 5 pm, and your last dose should be taken before bedtime.

The maximum everyday dose of Soma is 1400 mg, and you should not take more than four doses of Soma in 24 hours.

Soma is available only in tablet form and is available in various dosage strengths. But doctors usually prescribe 250 mg and 350 mg of Soma pills. However, if you don’t achieve effective results, your prescriber may increase your dose to 500 mg [7].

Proper Administration

• If you have been prescribed either drug, take it exactly as prescribed by a doctor to minimize the risk of adverse events.
• Do not share your muscle relaxant with others, even if they have the same condition as you do.
• Both these medications can be taken with or without food. However, if you experience an upset stomach while taking medicines on an empty stomach, be sure to take them with a meal.
• Store Tizandine and Soma at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.

Cost Of Tizanidine And Soma

The average cost of 30 Tizanidine 4 mg tablets is $9.00, and the cost of 350 mg Soma tablets at trusted online pharmacies like Vedi Care Health is $1.25 for a pack of 360 tablets.

Tizanidine Vs Soma – Precautions and Warnings

• Do not drink any alcoholic beverages while on either of these muscle relaxants since it can increase the risk of dizziness and daytime sleepiness.
• If you have high blood pressure, inform your doctor before taking Soma or Tizanidine.
• People above 65 years of age must take this medication under the strict supervision of a doctor, as the risk of side effects is higher in the elderly population.
• Expectant and nursing women should avoid administering the medicine as it may affect the growth, health, and development of the infant.
• Discuss your medical history with a healthcare provider, including any conditions such as kidney, heart, or liver disease, before starting these medications.

Taking Soma With Tizanidine Together

Using Carisoprodol and Tizanidine is generally not recommended, as both of them are muscle relaxants. If taken together, Soma and Tizanidine can cause a drug interaction. As a result, they can cause additive sedation and increase the risk of mental confusion and drowsiness. Combining both these medications can also increase your risk of rebound spasticity upon discontinuation [8].

Is Tizanidine Or Soma More Effective?

There is no definitive answer to which muscle relaxant, among Soma and Tizanidine, is more effective, as it depends on the individual and the specific condition being treated. American Family Physician states that comparison studies have not shown one skeletal muscle relaxant to be more effective than another [9].

Conclusion

Both Soma and Tizanidine are powerful muscle relaxants used to manage muscle spasms and acute musculoskeletal pain. While they share several similarities in factors such as pregnancy category, potential for withdrawal, central nervous system effects, and prescription requirements, their distinctions lie in onset and duration of action, side effects, and abuse potential.

Ultimately, the choice between the two options must be made by a healthcare provider based on an individual’s health status and medical history.