Generic Soma (Carisoprodol) Overdose
Brand Name :
Soma
Generic Name:
Carisoprodol
Soma [Carisoprodol] is a skeletal muscle relaxant, giving relief from pain caused by sprains or muscular injury that may affect the bones as well. Taken at the right dosage, it can help in treatment, but a Soma overdose can be fatal.
The effects of a Soma overdose can vary, depending on the Carisoprodol dosage and whether it was combined with any other drugs such as benzodiazepines, antiseizure or narcotic medications, antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants, CNS depressants, other muscle relaxants, alcohol, anti-allergy or cough-and-cold medicines.
Effects of an Overdose of Soma
Deaths have occurred due to intentional, as well as, accidental overdose of Soma [Carisoprodol], and patients have been known to become comatose. Other serious problems can include:-
- Tachycardia [increased heart-rate]
- Paralysis
- Labored breathing
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Ataxia [loss of control over voluntary muscular movements]
- Changes in vision
- Muscular rigidity
- Extreme weakness
- Agitation
- Fainting.
Treatment for a Soma Overdose
There are two kinds of treatment for an overdose with Soma:- gastric lavage, and oral administration of activated charcoal. Vomiting should not be induced, as it can increase the risk of central nervous system and respiratory depression.
If the overdose is detected within an hour, or is life-threatening, then the stomach is cleared through gastric lavage. A tube is inserted through the mouth or nose to drain out the contents of the stomach, with small amounts of water or saline being administered and removed alternately [children are only given normal saline]. To ensure that the tube is not in the lungs, the physician may listen to the stomach, take an X-ray, or do pH testing of the stomach’s contents.
The lavage, or draining-out, is repeated, until the stomach has been fully emptied. A suction device is used in case there is pulmonary aspiration of these contents. If someone is brought to the hospital in an unconscious condition, or is unable to protect the airways, the patient has to be intubated before the gastric lavage takes place.
The procedure involves close respiratory monitoring, and administration of fluids intravenously, in case of dehydration. Should other complications occur, then medicines may have to be given to control resultant conditions like laryngospasm, bradycardia, hyponatremia, hypocholermia, hypoxia, epistasix, or water intoxication.
An alternative treatment is the administration of activated charcoal, given orally. This is a form of carbon having a strong potential for binding poisonous substances, and does not allow these to be absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract.
It is important that you seek medical attention immediately if you believe that you may have overdosed on Soma.
