Soma (Carisoprodol) at a glance: schedule, half-life, and class
- Generic name
- Carisoprodol
- Brand names
- Soma
- Drug class
- Centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant
- US legal status
- Schedule IV, prescription only (since 2012)
- Approved uses
- Acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions, short-term
- Forms
- Tablets
- Onset
- About 30 minutes
- Half-life
- About 2 hours; meprobamate about 10 hours
- Broken down by
- CYP2C19 to meprobamate
- Maximum duration
- 2 to 3 weeks
Soma uses: what carisoprodol is prescribed for
Carisoprodol is approved for relief of discomfort from acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions in adults, for up to two or three weeks, alongside rest and physical therapy.[1]
Its sedating effects come largely from its metabolite meprobamate, a barbiturate-like anti-anxiety drug from the 1950s. Most guidelines recommend other muscle relaxants or non-drug treatment first.
Soma dosage: how carisoprodol is usually prescribed
The figures below come from the FDA-approved label and describe how prescribers typically use carisoprodol. They are not personal dosing advice. A prescriber sets the dose for each person and adjusts it over time.[1]
| Group | Typical dose | Label guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Adults 16 to 64 | 250 to 350 mg three times a day and at bedtime | Maximum 2 to 3 weeks |
| Adults 65 and over | Not recommended | Not studied |
Soma (carisoprodol) side effects and risks
Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, and headache.[1]
Serious risks include dependence, withdrawal, seizures, and misuse. Combined with opioids and benzodiazepines, a combination sometimes called the "holy trinity", carisoprodol has been involved in many overdose deaths.[1]
Soma interactions: what not to mix with carisoprodol
Choose what it would be combined with:
| Combined with | What happens | Label guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Opioids and benzodiazepines | Profound sedation and slowed breathing; overdose deaths | Avoid |
| Alcohol | Additive sedation | Avoid |
| Omeprazole, fluvoxamine (CYP2C19 inhibitors) | Raise carisoprodol levels | Use caution |
| Rifampin, St. John's wort | Lower carisoprodol levels | May reduce effect |
This is not a full list. A pharmacist can check a complete medication list, including supplements and over-the-counter products.[1]
Soma overdose: signs of carisoprodol overdose and what to do
Carisoprodol overdose causes stupor, coma, shock, seizures, slowed breathing, and abnormal muscle movements. It is often fatal when combined with opioids or alcohol.[1]
If someone may have overdosed
- Call 911 if the person is unresponsive, hard to wake, or breathing slowly.
- For advice when the person is awake and stable, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US, free, 24 hours).
- If opioids could be involved, including pills not from a pharmacy, give naloxone if you have it. Naloxone does not reverse carisoprodol, but it will not harm the person.
- Stay with the person and place them on their side if they are drowsy or vomiting.
Soma withdrawal timeline: how long carisoprodol withdrawal lasts
After high doses or prolonged use, stopping carisoprodol can cause withdrawal similar to meprobamate or barbiturate withdrawal.[1]
- Days 1 to 2Symptoms beginInsomnia, anxiety, tremor, vomiting, stomach cramps.
- Days 2 to 7PeakMuscle twitching, hallucinations, and, rarely, seizures.
- WeeksRecoveryGradual return to normal.
People who have used carisoprodol daily for weeks should taper with a prescriber.
How to get prescribed Soma (carisoprodol) legally in the US
In the United States, carisoprodol is a Schedule IV controlled substance. The only legal way to get it is with a prescription from a clinician registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), filled by a licensed pharmacy. Depending on state law, that can be a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.[2]
- Refills: a Schedule IV prescription can be refilled up to five times within six months of the date it was written. After that, a new prescription is needed.[3]
- Telehealth: federal flexibilities let DEA-registered clinicians prescribe Schedule II to V medicines after a telemedicine visit, without a prior in-person exam, through December 31, 2026. A permanent DEA rule was under final review in late 2026. State rules can be stricter.[4]
- Monitoring: prescribers and pharmacists in most states check a prescription drug monitoring program, a database of controlled-substance prescriptions, before prescribing or dispensing.
- Pharmacies: a legitimate pharmacy always requires a valid prescription, has a licensed pharmacist available, and is licensed in the state it ships to. The FDA's BeSafeRx tool and the NABP's safe pharmacy list help confirm a pharmacy is real.[5][6]
- Cost: generic carisoprodol is inexpensive.
Warning: Pills sold as Soma outside a pharmacy are often counterfeit. The DEA reports that fake pills frequently contain fentanyl or methamphetamine, and they cannot be told apart by appearance.[7]
Traveling: keep the medicine in its original pharmacy container and carry a copy of the prescription. Check the rules of the destination country before travel, because many countries restrict controlled medicines or require a permit.
Can you order Soma (carisoprodol) online legally?
Yes, but only with a valid prescription and only from a pharmacy licensed in your state. Many licensed pharmacies, including mail-order pharmacies run by insurers, fill carisoprodol prescriptions online and ship them. Buying carisoprodol from a website that does not require a prescription is illegal, and the product is often fake.[5][7]
- See a licensed clinicianA clinician evaluates you in person or by telemedicine and decides whether carisoprodol is appropriate.
- The prescription goes to a pharmacyPrescriptions for controlled medicines are usually sent electronically, straight from the prescriber to the pharmacy you choose.
- The pharmacy checks and fills itA pharmacist verifies the prescription and your identity, then dispenses the medicine in person or by mail.
Signs that an online seller is illegal:
- It sells carisoprodol with no prescription, or after only a short online questionnaire.
- It takes orders through social media, messaging apps, or email.
- It asks for payment in cryptocurrency, gift cards, or money transfers.
- It has no US street address, no state pharmacy license, and no pharmacist to speak to.
- Its prices are far below those of ordinary pharmacies, or it ships from another country.
The FDA's BeSafeRx tool links to each state's license lookup, and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy lists verified online pharmacies.[5][6]
Soma price: how much does Soma (carisoprodol) cost without insurance?
Generic carisoprodol is inexpensive.
What you pay depends on the strength, the number of doses, your insurance plan, and the pharmacy. Cash prices for the same prescription can differ several times over between pharmacies in the same town, so check current prices before you fill it.
Ways to pay less, legally:
- Ask the prescriber whether a generic carisoprodol is available. FDA-approved generics work the same way as the brand and usually cost much less.
- Compare cash prices between pharmacies before you fill the prescription.
- Use a free prescription discount card, such as GoodRx or SingleCare, when you pay cash. These cards cannot be combined with insurance on the same fill.
- For brand-name medicines, check the manufacturer's savings program or patient assistance program.
- Ask about a 90-day supply or your insurer's mail-order pharmacy, which often lowers the cost per dose when your prescriber agrees it is appropriate.
Warning: A price far below what licensed pharmacies charge, especially with no prescription required, is a strong sign of an illegal seller and counterfeit medicine.[5]
Is Soma legal? Carisoprodol legal status in other countries
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| European Union | Marketing authorizations suspended in 2008 because of misuse |
| Canada | Prescription medicine; not widely marketed |
| International | Not under UN control; controlled nationally |
Laws change and differ in detail. Check current rules before carrying any controlled medicine across a border.[8]
Common questions about Soma (carisoprodol)
Is Soma a narcotic?
No. It is a muscle relaxant, but it is a Schedule IV controlled substance because its metabolite meprobamate is sedating and habit-forming.
How long can you take Soma (carisoprodol)?
Only two to three weeks. Muscle problems lasting longer need other treatment.
Why is Soma (carisoprodol) dangerous with opioids?
Both depress the central nervous system. With an opioid and a benzodiazepine, the combination has caused many fatal overdoses.
Is Soma (carisoprodol) banned anywhere?
Yes. The European Union suspended its marketing in 2008 because of misuse and safety concerns.
Can you buy Soma (carisoprodol) without a prescription?
No. Soma (carisoprodol) is a Schedule IV controlled substance in the US, so it is illegal to buy or possess it without a valid prescription. Websites and social media sellers that offer it without one are not legal pharmacies, and the DEA warns that pills sold this way are often counterfeit and can contain fentanyl. The legal route is a visit with a licensed clinician, in person or by telehealth, and a prescription filled at a state-licensed pharmacy. The FDA's BeSafeRx tool and the NABP's safe pharmacy list help confirm an online pharmacy is real.
Sources
- Soma (carisoprodol) prescribing information. DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine.
- Controlled Substance Schedules. DEA Diversion Control Division.
- 21 CFR 1306.22, Refilling of prescriptions (Schedules III and IV). Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
- Prescribing controlled substances via telehealth. US Department of Health and Human Services.
- BeSafeRx: Your Source for Online Pharmacy Information. US Food and Drug Administration.
- Safe Pharmacy. National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
- One Pill Can Kill. US Drug Enforcement Administration.
- International drug control conventions. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
