Soma Dosages for Adults: Your GoodRx Guide

Soma (carisoprodol) belongs to a group of medications called muscle relaxers. It’s used to treat musculoskeletal pain in people 16 years of age or older. Musculoskeletal pain describes pain that’s related to muscles, bones, and joints. It can also affect tendons and ligaments.

If you’re taking Soma, it’s typically best to limit how long you take it to a few weeks. It can help with pain while your body recovers, but it isn’t meant to be taken long term. Taking Soma exactly as prescribed is important to help minimize side effects and other risks, such as dependence and misuse. Here, we’ll cover typical Soma dosages for adults and other information about taking this medication.

What’s the typical Soma dosage for adults?

The usual starting Soma dosage is between 250 mg to 350 mg taken 3 times a day and at bedtime.

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For example, if you wake up at 7AM, you may take your first Soma dose then. Your next doses may be at 1PM and 5PM, and your last dose before bedtime. 

You shouldn’t take more than four doses of Soma in a 24-hour period. This means that the maximum daily dosage is 1400 mg. 

Soma only comes in one dosage form: a tablet. It’s available as 250 mg and 350 mg tablets. Take your doses at the same time each day to maintain a consistent amount of medication in the body. Although you can take Soma with or without food, taking your daytime doses with meals may help you remember to take Soma consistently.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Muscle relaxer side effects: Muscle relaxers share similar side effects, but they also have some differences. For example, Soma (carisoprodol) is more likely to cause drowsiness than other muscle relaxers.

• Avoiding alcohol and Soma: It’s best to avoid drinking alcohol if you take a muscle relaxer such as Soma. The combination can increase your risk of drowsiness and overdose, which can be life-threatening.

• Alternatives to muscle relaxers for back pain: Muscle relaxers may help treat back pain, but they’re not always first-choice options. Learn about your medication options for treating back pain.

How long can you take Soma?

You also shouldn't take Soma for more than 3 weeks at a time. Taking Soma for longer than this can increase your risk of Soma dependence and misuse.

It’s not known whether taking Soma for longer than a few weeks has any benefit. If your pain continues past a few weeks, it’s a sign that you may need additional care. Talk to your prescriber if you’re not feeling relief after a few weeks.

Soma is a controlled substance. This means it can cause dependence and misuse. And there are restrictions around how it’s prescribed. Taking Soma exactly as prescribed will help minimize these risks. If you have a history of substance use disorder, let your prescriber know before starting Soma. It may not be the best choice for you.  

Are there any dosage adjustments for health conditions?

Certain medical conditions may change how your body processes Soma. This is important because it may put you at a higher risk of unwanted side effects. Below are some conditions that may affect what dose of Soma you take.

Kidney and liver problems

Like many other medications, Soma is metabolized (broken down) in the liver. It then goes to the bloodstream where it will have its effects on the body. Finally, it travels to the kidneys where it leaves your body when you pee.

If you have liver or kidney problems, it’s possible that Soma can build up in your body and increase your risk of side effects, such as drowsiness, dizziness, and headache. Make sure your prescriber is aware if you have any medical conditions that cause your kidneys or liver to not work as expected.

Older adults

In general, muscle relaxers are best avoided in older adults. This is because older adults may be more sensitive to side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness. This can increase the risk of falls which may cause injuries, hospitalizations, and disability in older adults.

The American Geriatric Society recommends against taking Soma if you’re 65 years old or older. Talk to your prescriber about other options that may be safer.

Drug interactions

Soma works by affecting chemicals in the brain. It increases the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical messenger in the brain that slows down nerve signals and has a calming effect on the body. This may be the reason that Soma can cause drowsiness and potentially slow your breathing when used at high doses or when combined with other medications that can have the same effects on the body.

Examples of these medications and substances include benzodiazepines like Xanax (alprazolam), opioids like Oxycontin (oxycodone), and alcohol. Even over-the-counter medications like Benadryl (diphenhydramine) can interact with Soma.

Combining Soma with one of these medications — or with alcohol — increases your risk of drowsiness, dizziness, and falls. Most seriously, it can increase your risk of overdose. That’s why it’s best to avoid these medications with Soma. And because of these risks, there’s no amount of alcohol that’s safe to drink with Soma. So let your prescriber know if you drink alcohol before starting this medication, they may recommend an alternative.

Other medications that can interact with Soma are those that affect how Soma is metabolized. Some medications can increase Soma levels in the body (making side effects more likely), or decrease Soma levels (making it less effective). For example, Prilosec (omeprazole) may increase Soma levels, but St. John’s Wort may decrease Soma levels.  

It’s hard to keep track of all the Soma interactions that may occur. So ask your prescriber or pharmacist for help. Give them an updated medication list and ask them to screen for drug interactions.

What happens if you miss a dose of Soma?

It depends when your next scheduled dosage is. If you remember to take Soma soon after you missed a dose, you can go ahead and take it.

But if it’s within a couple hours of your next dose, skip the missed dose. Then restart your usual dosing schedule. Don’t take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose. This can increase your risk of side effects.  

What should you do if you take too much Soma?

If you’ve accidentally taken an extra dose of Soma, contact your prescriber or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance.

However, if you experience any symptoms from taking too much Soma, have someone take you to the nearest ER. Symptoms may include low blood pressure, vision problems, or abnormal muscle movements. More serious risks include seizures, overdose, and death, which is why it’s important to seek care immediately. These risks are more likely after taking large amounts of Soma.

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Written by:

Caleb Hoppe, PharmD

Caleb has more than 5 years of pharmacy practice experience in multiple settings, including retail pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, and academia (Indiana Pharmacy Teaching Certificate to be obtained in 2024). Caleb has been active in many pharmacy organizations and has been president of local chapters.

Edited by:

Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS

Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. Amy currently holds her pharmacist license in Georgia and California.

Reviewed by:

Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA

Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA, is a licensed pharmacist specializing in chronic disease and health and wellness. Upon completing his residency, he worked in the managed care field, conducting medication therapy management and adherence counseling sessions with Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance patients, before transitioning to a career in medical writing.

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