It is estimated that nearly forty million people suffer from sleep disorders in the United States alone. Insomnia and sleeping disorders if left untreated are known to cause other chronic issues such as high blood pressure and heart diseases. Pain and body aches are known to be the major causes of sleep disorders amongst patients.
How does Soma react in the body?
Soma is a muscle relaxant and works by blocking sensations of pain in the nerves and brain. The drug is often used alongside rest and physical therapy in order treat injuries and other painful musculoskeletal conditions.
It is known to cause significant pharmacological activity in the body with a rapid, thirty minute reaction period with the after effects lasting for up to two hours. It is metabolized in the liver to form meprobamate metabolite that remains in the blood stream following the administration of the pain relief drug. The metabolites have an eight-hour half-life and are then excreted by the kidneys.
The drug interacts with all opioids and centrally acting analgesics especially codeine. It may be used as acetylated derivatives such as nicodicodeine that allows for a much smaller dose to have the same effect on the individual. This is effective when a skeletal or muscle injury is a major part of the problem and the patient may have to turn to intense medication.
The effectiveness of Soma as a pain killer is scientifically backed by research
Soma induces sedation quite rapidly. In clinical trials it was observed that nearly thirteen to seventeen percent received sedation compared to six percent under placebo. Patients were chosen between the ages of eighteen and sixty five and suffered from sleep disruption due to acute back pain and headaches.
The use of analgesics, muscle relaxants and anti-epileptic drugs were avoided alongside Soma. The patients were then subjected to treatment with varying dosages of Soma between 250 and 350mg and the remaining were offered placebo. The medication was offered thrice a day for a seven day period and the subjects were kept under constant administration to see if they developed any serious side-effects during the course of the treatment.
The primary endpoints of the trial were relief from headaches, back-ache and chronic pain disorders. The patients who were offered any treatment with medication be it 250 or 350mg of Soma showed significant signs of improvement within a matter of weeks compared to traditional psychological intervention. They were able to sleep for longer hours with remarkable improvement in pain and fatigue levels.
What are some side-effects and withdrawal symptoms caused by the drug?
The drug may not cause serious side-effects, but in the case of a few it has impaired their ability to operate motor vehicles and heavy machinery during the treatment period. The drug is addictive and is prone to abuse. It is known to cause sever side-effects when over-dosed over long periods of time.
Discontinuation of the drug can lead to cognitive changes in the individual which may last for a few weeks. It is also known to cause increased anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, and insomnia.