What is Soma?

What does Soma look like?

How is Soma abused?

Soma, a trade name for the prescription drug carisoprodol, is a 

muscle relaxant legitimately prescribed to relieve pain from muscle 

injuries and spasms. When taken in 

dosages exceeding those recommended by physicians, Soma causes 

drowsiness, giddiness, and relaxation. 

Soma is metabolized into 

meprobamate, a Schedule IV drug 

with a potential for abuse.

Soma is available as a 350-

milligram tablet. The round, convex, 

white tablets are inscribed with SOMA 

on one side and 37 WALLACE 2001 

on the other. Soma also is available in 

tablet form combined with codeine or 

aspirin. Soma and codeine are combined in oval, two-layered, white and 

yellow tablets inscribed with SOMA 

CC on one side and WALLACE 2403 

on the other—because of the codeine, 

this tablet is scheduled. Soma and 

aspirin are combined in round, twolayered, white and lavender tablets 

inscribed with Par 246.

Abusers typically ingest Soma 

orally. Many abusers take it in combination with other drugs to enhance 

the effects of those drugs. Alcohol, 

codeine, diazepam, heroin, 

hydrocodone (especially Vicodin), 

What is Soma?

What does Soma look like?

How is Soma abused?

Soma, a trade name for the prescription drug carisoprodol, is a 

muscle relaxant legitimately prescribed to relieve pain from muscle 

injuries and spasms. When taken in 

dosages exceeding those recommended by physicians, Soma causes 

drowsiness, giddiness, and relaxation. 

Soma is metabolized into 

meprobamate, a Schedule IV drug 

with a potential for abuse.

Soma is available as a 350-

milligram tablet. The round, convex, 

white tablets are inscribed with SOMA 

on one side and 37 WALLACE 2001 

on the other. Soma also is available in 

tablet form combined with codeine or 

aspirin. Soma and codeine are combined in oval, two-layered, white and 

yellow tablets inscribed with SOMA 

CC on one side and WALLACE 2403 

on the other—because of the codeine, 

this tablet is scheduled. Soma and 

aspirin are combined in round, twolayered, white and lavender tablets 

inscribed with Par 246.

Abusers typically ingest Soma 

orally. Many abusers take it in combination with other drugs to enhance 

the effects of those drugs. Alcohol, 

codeine, diazepam, heroin, 

hydrocodone (especially Vicodin), 

What is Soma?

What does Soma look like?

How is Soma abused?

Soma, a trade name for the prescription drug carisoprodol, is a 

muscle relaxant legitimately prescribed to relieve pain from muscle 

injuries and spasms. When taken in 

dosages exceeding those recommended by physicians, Soma causes 

drowsiness, giddiness, and relaxation. 

Soma is metabolized into 

meprobamate, a Schedule IV drug 

with a potential for abuse.

Soma is available as a 350-

milligram tablet. The round, convex, 

white tablets are inscribed with SOMA 

on one side and 37 WALLACE 2001 

on the other. Soma also is available in 

tablet form combined with codeine or 

aspirin. Soma and codeine are combined in oval, two-layered, white and 

yellow tablets inscribed with SOMA 

CC on one side and WALLACE 2403 

on the other—because of the codeine, 

this tablet is scheduled. Soma and 

aspirin are combined in round, twolayered, white and lavender tablets 

inscribed with Par 246.

Abusers typically ingest Soma 

orally. Many abusers take it in combination with other drugs to enhance 

the effects of those drugs. Alcohol, 

codeine, diazepam, heroin, 

hydrocodone (especially Vicodin), 

Who abuses Soma?

What are the risks?

meprobamate, and propoxyphene 

commonly are abused in combination 

with Soma. Abusers who combine Soma 

with Vicodin claim that this combination produces effects similar to those of 

heroin.

Individuals of all ages abuse Soma. 

Data reported in the National Survey on 

Drug Use and Health indicate that 

2,276,000 U.S. residents aged 12 and 

older used Soma nonmedically at least 

once in their lifetime.

Law enforcement officers indicate 

that youths living in Arizona and 

California often obtain carisoprodol at 

pharmacies in Mexico. Carisoprodol is 

sold in Mexico under the brand name 

Somacid. Prescriptions for Soma and 

Somacid can be purchased from some 

doctors and pharmacists in Mexico.

Soma is generally safe when prescribed by a physician and used as 

directed. However, individuals who 

abuse Soma can develop psychological 

addictions to the drug. Common side 

effects of Soma abuse include blurred 

vision, dizziness, drowsiness, and loss 

of coordination. More serious side 

effects include chills, depression, racing 

heartbeat, tightness in chest, vomiting, 

and unusual weakness. Withdrawal 

symptoms associated with Soma 

dependency include abdominal cramps, 

Who abuses Soma?

What are the risks?

Is it illegal to abuse Soma?

headache, insomnia, and nausea. 

Signs that an overdose has occurred 

include difficulty in breathing, shock, 

and coma. A Soma overdose may result 

in death.

Yes, abusing Soma is illegal. Reports 

of Soma abuse have resulted in a 

number of states scheduling Soma 

as a controlled substance. States that 

have taken this action are Alabama, 

Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, 

Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, 

New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, and 

West Virginia. Soma is not scheduled 

at the federal level. However, reports of 

Soma abuse are being monitored by 

the Drug Enforcement Administration, 

and Soma could be listed under 

the Controlled Substances Act if

warranted.

Is it illegal to abuse Soma?

Street Terms for Soma

Ds

Dance 

Las Vegas Cocktail (combination of Soma 

and Vicodin)

Soma Coma (combination of Soma

and codeine)
 Cover photo: NDIC

NDIC Product No. 2004-L0559-006

National Drug Intelligence Center

a component of the 

U.S. Department of Justice

092204

Questions 

and 

Answers

Soma

Check out Fast Facts on: Other products of interest:

For more information on illicit drugs 

check out our web site at:

www.usdoj.gov/ndic 

Call 814-532-4541 

to request NDIC products

Other products of interest:

For more information on illicit drugs 

check out our web site at:

www.usdoj.gov/ndic 

Call 814-532-4541 

to request NDIC products

, Huffing—The Abuse of Inhalants

, Prescription Drug Abuse and Youth

, Drugs,Youth, and the Internet

National Drug Intelligence Center

319 Washington Street, 5th Floor

Johnstown, PA 15901-1622

Telephone: 814-532-4601

FAX: 814-532-4690

NDIC Washington Liaison Office

8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 1001

McLean, VA 22102-3840

Telephone: 703-556-8970

FAX: 703-556-7807

NDIC publications are available on the following web sites:

ADNET http://ndicosa

LEO home.leo.gov/lesig/ndic

RISS ndic.riss.net

INTERNET www.usdoj.gov/ndic

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