Carisoprodol Vs Tramadol: Is Soma Effective Than Tramadol?

If you are looking for a comparison between Soma and Tramadol, chances are you're unaware of the best analgesic for your pain. Let me break it down for you. 

Soma and Tramadol are undoubtedly two wholly different and effective analgesics available today. However, they belong to other drug classes and work on different pain causes. 

A National Institute of Health survey estimates about 11 % of Americans experience body pain every day for about three months. It is also one of the leading reasons Americans incorporate complementary health approaches to managing pain.

Soma and Tramadol have been pre-eminent analgesics paving their way toward improving acute and chronic pain. Their impeccable potency makes it familiar for users to compare Soma and Tramadol. This blog addresses the pharmacological similarities and dissimilarities between the two analgesics and helps you choose the best-suited pain medication. 

 What Is Carisoprodol?

Soma and Pain O soma is the trading name for the prescription drug Carisoprodol, a non-benzodiazepine muscle relaxant prescribed to relieve pain from muscle injuries and spasms. It is used for adjunct rest, physical therapy, and other measures to reduce acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions. You can find various Carisoprodol alternatives in the medicinal world.

Carisoprodol is available as a 350-milligram tablet. When it is taken in dosages exceeding those recommended by physicians, Carisoprodol causes giddiness, drowsiness, and relaxation. It is metabolized into Meprobamate, a Schedule IV controlled drug with potential Abuse. It is rated C in the FDA's pregnancy Safety ranking for medications.

Doctors can only prescribe it for a maximum of 3 weeks. There is insufficient evidence that it works for more extended periods. The recommended dosage is 250-300 mg three times a day and at bedtime.

How Does Carisoprodol Work?

Carisoprodol is a centrally-acting muscle relaxant prevalent in treating short-term acute pain. When taken with rest and physical therapy, it acts against skeletal muscle conditions caused by strain, injury, and sprain.

Carisoprodol's working mechanism helps relieve the pain and affects communication between the nerve and central nervous system. It metabolizes in the liver and is further excreted by the kidneys. In the liver, the Carisoprodol is metabolized to Meprobamate, which significantly accounts for its Abuse potential.

Patients with a lower level of CYP2C19 (enzyme for metabolization) lead to increased concentration of Carisoprodol in the body.

About 25 % of the Carisoprodol dosage taken is converted to Meprobamate, indicating that it is 3.25 times stronger than Carisoprodol. In simpler terms, 200mg of Meprobamate is equivalent to 650mg of Carisoprodol.

What Is Tramadol?

Tramadol is a strong painkiller from a class of medicines called narcotics or opiates. It treats moderate-to-severe pain, for example, after a severe injury or operation. In 1995, it was approved for marketing as a non-controlled analgesic in the United States under the trade name Ultram. 

Tramadol is a Schedule IV controlled drug, and there have been reports of diversion and Abuse soon after its approval. Adverse events and Abuse of Tramadol are similar to other opioid analgesics. Therefore if you want to buy Tramadol, you must have a proper prescription from a certified doctor.

Tramadol is available online in tablet, extended-release tablet, injection, and patch form. When consumed incorrectly (broken or crushed), the extended-release tablet form acts in increased concentrations leading to overdosing symptoms.

Tramadol is a centrally-acting opioid agonist analgesic. In patients with moderate to severe intramuscular, intravenous, and postoperative pain and Fibromyalgia, the use of Tramadol can be effective. 

Tramadol's working mechanism includes blocking the body's pain sensation from traveling to the brain receptor, thus inducing a sense of pain relief. It inhibits the serotonin reuptake, i.e., blocking the pathways transmitting pain.

It undergoes hepatic metabolism to form five different metabolites. Desmetramadol (INN) is one of the most significant metabolites as it has 200 times the affinity of Tramadol. Furthermore, the elimination half-life of Desmetramadol (INN) is 9 hours compared to Tramadol, which is about 6 hours.

Carisoprodol Vs Tramadol: Which Is More Effective?

To help with discomfort, Tramadol has been included as a prescription for treating premature ejaculation (a male sexual disorder). Tramadol is outstanding among other medications that can relieve agony. However, it spends more than is recommended and can trigger a reaction that puts the individual at risk of becoming addicted.

Since both drugs have similar efficacy for different types of pain, Tramadol is the more affordable choice. Tramadol can also be considered a better treatment for moderate back pain than Carisoprodol (Carisoprodol), as it is believed that the treatment of mild back pain lies between the two medications.

Carisoprodol Vs Tramadol: Which Is Stronger?

No evidence exists to state which analgesia is stronger than the two medicines. However, here are a few critical points of both anesthetics to consider-

• The onset of action of the Carisoprodol pill is less than Tramadol. 
• The effects of Tramadol may last for 3 to 6 hours, whereas that of Carisoprodol is 4 to 6 hours. 
• Tramadol is known to cause more severe side effects than Carisoprodol.
• The possible drug interaction of Tramadol is much greater than Carisoprodol. 
• Carisoprodol and Tapentadol reviews indicate Carisoprodol to be a more preferred analgesic among people with a higher user rating than Tramadol.

Similarity Between Carisoprodol And Tramadol

Soma and Tramadol have unique characteristics and properties that make them more efficient drugs than one another. Both drugs vary in pharmacology, morphology, pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic properties. Let us find out about the similarities and dissimilarities of these drugs.

Difference Between Carisoprodol and Tramadol

The onset and time of action play a crucial role in determining the efficacy and potency of Soma and Tramadol. A long onset time can be a deal breaker for most people, as none of us would like slow-acting pain medication.

The onset of action of Soma is 30 minutes, and the muscle-relaxing and pain-relieving effects last 5 to 6 hours. In comparison, the development of Tramadol begins within an hour of administration and reaches its peak in 2 to 4 hours. Tramadol's Immediate-release lasts 4 to 6 hours, and its extended-release formulation lasts 12 to 24 hours.

Soma vs Tramadol: Precautions

While administering Soma and Tramadol, following particular warning and prevention measures ensures a lower risk of experiencing adverse effects. 

Precautions of Soma

• Muscle relaxers such as Carisoprodol (Soma) can be habit-forming. Make sure you take your medicine exactly as your healthcare professional prescribes.
• Soma depresses your central nervous system (CNS), making staying awake or paying attention hard. While taking this muscle relaxer, avoid activities that require coordination or mental alertness, such as driving or operating heavy machinery. 
• Speak to your doctor about how safely you can use Soma if you are older than 65. You have a renal or hepatic disorder, mental health problem, or brain disorder.
  You should avoid taking muscle relaxants with the following drugs to prevent any adverse reaction: Alcohol, Sleep aids,
• CNS depressants, psychotropics or opioids, and Herbal supplements such as St. John's wort.

Precautions of Tramadol

Tramadol is to be taken only after being prescribed by a medical doctor. Your doctor will have thoroughly assessed your specific condition before determining treatment with Tramadol as an option. Before prescribing this drug, they will weigh benefits against potential complications and likely side effects. If favorable, your doctor will recommend a prescription with strict instructions.

• The consumption of alcoholic beverages with Tramadol is not advisable. 
• Tramadol or its inactive constituents can cause various complications and allergic reactions. Discuss with your doctor if you have any known allergies or have experienced adverse reactions.
• Tramadol may adversely interact with symptoms associated with conditions such history of (or current) brain and nervous system disorders, Parkinson’s disease, head injuries or tumors, breathing and respiratory disorders, mental or mood disorders, addiction or substance abuse (drugs and alcohol), genetic conditions, intestinal and digestive problems.
• People 65 years or older are known to be more sensitive to some side effects of this medication.

Possible Side Effects: Soma vs Tramadol

Apart from the side effects listed here, these analgesics have other possible adverse effects. Each individual reacts differently to the analgesic, thus portraying different severity and impact.

The above list doesn’t consist of all the side effects. If you experience other side effects, do not delay and visit your doctor. Kindly contact your physician for further medical assistance.

Also Read:

• Does Tramadol cause insomnia?
• Robaxin Vs Soma: Which Is the Better Option?
• https://practicalanxietysolutions.com/tramadol-ultram/
• https://practicalanxietysolutions.com/soma-carisoprodol/
• Tramadol Addiction: Warnings And Precautions

Bottom Line From Practical Anxiety Solutions

It is a fact that painkillers are extremely beneficial medications that benefit a lot of people from mild to severe pain. Soma and Tramadol have been FDA-approved despite the associated risks. It is because their lists of pros outweigh their cons. 

It will reduce the incidence of drug-related addictions and complications. Additionally, it will encourage medicine companies to keep researching and making even better analgesic medications for the betterment of mankind.