What are the ingredients in Soma?

October 9, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the DEA, the active ingredient in Soma, carisoprodol, was reclassified as a Schedule IV controlled substance due to its potential for abuse. For those prescribed this medication, understanding exactly what are the ingredients in Soma? is vital, as the formulation can vary significantly and contains different active components with unique effects and risks.

Quick Summary

Soma's primary active ingredient is carisoprodol, a centrally-acting muscle relaxant. Different formulations may also include aspirin and codeine, in addition to several inactive ingredients and fillers.

Key Points

Carisoprodol is the primary ingredient: The main active ingredient in Soma is carisoprodol, a centrally-acting skeletal muscle relaxant used for short-term pain relief.
Soma has different formulations: There are multiple versions of Soma, including a standalone carisoprodol tablet, Soma Compound (with aspirin), and Soma Compound with Codeine (with aspirin and codeine).
Soma is a controlled substance: Due to its potential for abuse and dependence, carisoprodol is a Schedule IV controlled substance in the US, with some combination products containing codeine classified as Schedule III.
It is metabolized into meprobamate: Carisoprodol is converted in the liver to meprobamate, another controlled substance that contributes to its sedative and addictive properties.
It is for short-term use only: The FDA and medical guidance recommend using Soma for no more than two to three weeks to avoid dependence and other adverse effects.
Abuse can lead to withdrawal: Patients who stop taking Soma abruptly after prolonged use can experience withdrawal symptoms, including insomnia, tremors, and anxiety.
Inactive ingredients vary: The fillers and binders in Soma tablets differ by formulation and serve to hold the tablet together or add color.

Soma is the brand name for the prescription drug carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant used to treat discomfort associated with acute musculoskeletal pain. It is intended for short-term use, typically for only two to three weeks. The specific ingredients depend on the formulation, which can include carisoprodol alone or in combination with other active components like aspirin and codeine.

Active Ingredients: The Core Components of Soma

The primary therapeutic effect of Soma is derived from its active ingredients, which can differ significantly between products. It is important for patients and healthcare providers to distinguish between the various formulations.

Carisoprodol: The Primary Active Ingredient

The standalone Soma tablet contains the active ingredient carisoprodol. This centrally-acting skeletal muscle relaxant is not fully understood in its mechanism but is thought to work by altering interneuronal activity in the spinal cord and brain. It does not directly relax the skeletal muscles themselves. Its muscle relaxant effect may be linked to its sedative properties. In the body, carisoprodol is metabolized in the liver by the CYP2C19 enzyme into meprobamate, a controlled substance with anxiolytic and sedative effects. This metabolite contributes to both the therapeutic effects and the potential for dependence and abuse.

Soma Compound: Carisoprodol and Aspirin

To address both muscle pain and inflammation, a combination product known as Soma Compound was developed. This formulation contains two active ingredients: carisoprodol and aspirin. While carisoprodol handles the muscle-relaxant aspect, aspirin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), works by inhibiting the body's production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are compounds that are thought to cause pain and inflammation by stimulating nerve endings and dilating blood vessels. The addition of aspirin is intended to provide a more comprehensive approach to treating painful musculoskeletal conditions by addressing inflammation as well.

Soma Compound with Codeine: A Triple-Action Formulation

For more severe cases of pain, another combination product is available. Soma Compound with Codeine includes three active ingredients: carisoprodol, aspirin, and codeine phosphate. Codeine is a centrally-acting narcotic analgesic that is added for its potent pain-relieving properties. Like other opioids, codeine binds to opioid receptors in the central nervous system, which changes the perception of pain. This triple-action formula is reserved for acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions when the additional action of a narcotic is required. Due to the presence of codeine, this formulation has a higher potential for dependence and abuse compared to the other versions.

Common Inactive Ingredients in Soma Tablets

Beyond the active components, tablets contain inactive ingredients, also known as excipients, which serve various functions such as binding, filling, and coloring. Examples include:

Alginic acid
Croscarmellose sodium
FD&C Red #40 and FD&C Yellow #6
Hypromellose
Magnesium stearate
Microcrystalline cellulose
Povidone
Starch
Stearic acid
Tribasic calcium phosphate

A Comparison of Soma Formulations


Feature	Plain Soma	Soma Compound	Soma Compound with Codeine
Active Ingredients	Carisoprodol	Carisoprodol, Aspirin	Carisoprodol, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate
Primary Function	Centrally-acting muscle relaxant with sedative properties	Muscle relaxation and anti-inflammatory/pain relief	Muscle relaxation, pain relief, and narcotic analgesia
Controlled Status	Schedule IV Controlled Substance	Contains a Schedule IV substance (carisoprodol)	Schedule III Controlled Substance
Abuse Potential	High, linked to its meprobamate metabolite	Moderate, due to carisoprodol	Very high, due to carisoprodol and codeine
Key Risks	Dependence, withdrawal, central nervous system (CNS) depression	Gastrointestinal issues from aspirin, dependence risk	High dependence and withdrawal risk, severe CNS depression

Safety Considerations, Abuse Potential, and Withdrawal

Regardless of the formulation, Soma should be used with extreme caution. All forms carry a risk of dependence, and misuse can lead to serious health complications, including overdose and death. The sedative effects of carisoprodol are enhanced by alcohol and other central nervous system depressants, making the combination extremely dangerous.

Withdrawal symptoms can occur upon abrupt cessation of the drug, especially after prolonged use. These symptoms may include insomnia, anxiety, abdominal cramps, headache, tremors, and muscle twitching. It is crucial for patients to be carefully monitored by a physician when discontinuing the medication, as tapering may be necessary.

Conclusion

In conclusion, what are the ingredients in Soma? depends on the specific product. While the central nervous system depressant carisoprodol is the foundation of all Soma formulations, other versions include aspirin and codeine to address additional symptoms like inflammation and severe pain. Understanding these distinctions and the active ingredients' mechanisms is vital, as are the serious risks associated with dependence, withdrawal, and abuse. Due to these risks, Soma is intended only for short-term use and requires careful medical supervision.

For more information on controlled substances and their classifications, refer to the official DEA Diversion Control website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Carisoprodol acts as a centrally-acting muscle relaxant that helps relieve the discomfort and pain caused by acute musculoskeletal conditions like strains and sprains.

Soma is a controlled substance because its active ingredient, carisoprodol, has the potential for abuse, misuse, and physical dependence, which is partly due to its metabolism into the controlled substance meprobamate.

No, there are different Soma products. Plain Soma contains only carisoprodol, while Soma Compound adds aspirin, and Soma Compound with Codeine adds both aspirin and codeine phosphate to the formulation.

Meprobamate is an active metabolite that carisoprodol is converted into in the liver. It has sedative and anxiolytic properties that contribute to Soma's effects and its potential for dependence.

Soma is intended only for short-term use, typically for a period of two to three weeks. There is no evidence supporting its long-term effectiveness, and extended use increases the risk of dependence.

Mixing Soma with alcohol is dangerous because both are central nervous system depressants. This combination can significantly increase drowsiness, impair motor coordination, and raise the risk of overdose, which can be fatal.

Signs of a Soma overdose can include extreme sedation, slow or shallow breathing, seizures, confusion, hallucinations, and coma. An overdose is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.