Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking soma as follows:
- Soma, especially when taken in high doses, carries the risk of depressing the cardiovascular center in the brain, which regulates the heart rate and blood pressure. Consequently, intake of soma can result in low heart rate and blood pressure. Hypotension and bradycardia, secondary to soma intake, can contribute to the confusion and dizziness, thus significantly increasing the risk for fall and accidents. This risk with soma can be even high when it is taken along with any other products and medications causing hypotension and bradycardia, such as, antihypertensives, antidepressants, antianxiety medications, and sedatives, and so, must be avoided. Changing positions slowly, such as, from laying down to standing, by sitting up for a minute or two and stabilizing before standing up and walking around can also contribute towards fall and accident prevention.
- Soma use can also result in fast and pounding heartbeat. Individuals with history of cardiac arrhythmias can be at increased risk for precipitation of arrhythmic episodes with soma use and must be increasingly watchful to report worsening symptoms of arrhythmias, such as, chest pain, low blood pressure, confusion, dizziness, increasing shortness of breath, and worsening fatigue. Hypotension and irregular heartbeat, secondary to soma intake, can contribute to the confusion and dizziness, thus significantly increasing the risk for fall and accidents. Soma could best be avoided for a safer alternative or used with extra caution in individuals with history of life-threatening arrhythmias.
- Soma could be avoided for a safer alternative or used with extreme caution in individuals with history of severe head injury and brain damage. Individuals with history of head injury and brain damage can be at high risk to present with severe depression of brain and associated respiratory and cardiovascular centers with soma, leading to complications such as, coma, respiratory arrest, dangerous hypotension, and bradycardia, which can be fatal. Discuss with your physician regarding your history of severe head injury and brain damage, if any, to be certain regarding your safety with intake of soma.
- If you miss a dose, try taking it at the earliest notice of noncompliance. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the dose scheduled. Do not take an extra dose to try making up for the missed dose, which can result in toxicity. Notify your doctor and other health care personnel regarding your dose noncompliance.
