Muscle Relaxants
Soma
Carisoprodol (Soma)
This article explains why Carisoprodol is percribed, how it should be
used, and the precautions to follow. It also explains what to do if youforgot
a dose, the dietary instructions, the side effects, and in what contions
it should be stored.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682578.html
A Witch's Brew of Deadly Drugs
When drug counselor Mike Salazar talks to Phoenix-area students he hears
more and more about the prescription muscle relaxant Soma. A 16-year-old
girl was arrested for smuggling almost 3,000 Soma pills across the border
from Mexico and distributing them through a five-school drug ring. Most
of the Soma is coming from Mexican border towns like Nogales. Pharmacists
say since the Arizona crisis, the drug now is a controlled substance,
like narcotics.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/06/02/eveningnews/main620742.shtml
Eight Teens Could Face Charges in Soma Drug Ring by Kim Smith
April 30, 2004
Eight teenagers could face criminal charges after a Soma drug ring bust
at five Mesa and Gilbert schools. News of the bust comes three days after
500 parents showed up at a Gilbert Unified School District forum to discuss
a recent rash of drug-related incidents, including the deaths of two teenagers.
The ring started with two high school girls who went to Mexico over a
weekend with one of the girls' parents and bought 2,900 Soma tablets,
then distributed them to other students.
http://www.drugfreeaz.com/news/articles_soma.html
The Soma Pipeline by Kristina Davis
May 13, 2004
Pharmacy workers, in Mexico, fill Soma orders several times a week for
American teenagers, a trend that has been going on for years. But the
Soma pipeline from Mexico has been largely hush-hush in the East Valley,
Arizona-
area until police broke up a couple of Soma drug rings recently at local
high
schools. Soma, or carisoprodol, is a muscle relaxant that requires a prescription
in Arizona. In Mexico, it is sold under the name Somacid, a less expensive
brand
manufactured in Guadalajara.
http://www.drugfreeaz.com/news/articles_soma.html
Soma Fast Becoming East Valley Teens' Drug of Choice by Cece Todd
July 2003
Abuse by teenagers of a widely prescribed muscle relaxant has prompted
drug prevention officials to warn Scottsdale students about the drug,
Soma. Three recent cases of students abusing the drug prompted the principal
of Apache Junction High School to issue a "Soma Alert" to parents.
http://www.drugfreeaz.com/news/articles_soma.html
Mother Speaks Out on Son's Drug Overdose by Karla Redditte
19-year-old Derrick Johnson died after an overdose on Soma, Lortabs, and
methadone. Derrick was an honor roll student in high school and was going
to start class at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Despite repeated
warnings from his family, Derrick's recreational use of marijuana eventually
led to a combination of drugs that claimed his life.
http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=1415036
Students Use Muscle Relaxant to Get High
A growing number of teens are misusing the prescription muscle relaxant
Soma to get high. In Mesa recently, 29 students were suspended for possessing
the drug. A 16-year-old girl was arrested for smuggling 3,000 Soma pills
across the border from Mexico and distributing them at five schools.
http://www.jointogether.org/sa/news/summaries/reader/0%2C1854%2C571241%2C00.html
The New Drugs of Choice?: Some Teens Looking to Prescription Pills
as a Way to Get High
Using prescription pills seems to be the newest alternative to illicit
drugs for many students. Stories about people taking so many pills that
they become unconscious, or remain awake for 70 hours, or undergo other
horrific side effects are heard more frequently today. Some of the most
common pills that are abused include Soma, Aderol, Lortab, Percocet, Codeine,
Lodine, Demerol, and Xanax. These drugs can cause symptoms as minor as
appetite loss or reactions as major as sleep deprivation or unconsciousness.
The effects usually last four to five hours but can continue even longer
depending on the strength of the medication.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2000/Feb-27-Sun-2000/lifestyles/12968057.html
Baclofen
Baclofen
This article explains the most important information you should know about
Baclofen: what it is used for, what you should discuss with your healthcare
provider before taking it, and how to take it. It also explains what happens
if you miss a dose, what you should avoid doing after taking Baclofen,
the possible side effects and what other drugs will effect Baclofen.
http://www.drugs.com/baclofen.html
13 Teens Hospitalized for Overdose by Dave Howland
Thirteen children in Woburn, Massachusetts, were hospitalized after overdosing
on muscle relaxants someone took to a youth dance. Most of the victims
were girls, ages 13 to 16, celebrating their selection for the cheerleading
squad. Baclofen is prescribed in doses of one or two pills. Slightly higher
doses can lead to euphoria or intoxication and large doses, which can
shut down the lungs, can be fatal.
http://www.s-t.com/daily/03-97/03-02-97/a03sr017.htm
10 Colville-Area Teens Overdose on Stolen Pills by Carla K. Johnson
Ten Colville-area teenagers were hospitalized after overdosing on prescription
pills. The teenagers, ages 14 to 17, took Baclofen, a high-powered muscle
relaxant, at Colville's City Park. All ten victims were put on ventilators
to help them breathe.
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/local/story.asp?ID=17891
Mom Files Charges in Overdose: 2 Teens Allegedly Gave Her Daughter
Pills
by Robin Fitzgerald
A Long Beach mother of a 16-year-old girl who overdosed on prescription
drugs has filed charges against teens who allegedly gave her the pills.
Police also identified them as the teens who were found unconscious Sept.
28 in a car with its engine running and in possession of two types of
pills. Toxicology results show that the teens and the juvenile girl tested
positive for the same drugs police seized from the car.
http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/news/6958180.htm
