Soma generic availability, cost, and more

In this article:

• Generic vs. brand-name Soma
• Generic Soma cost
• Is Soma covered by insurance?
• How do you get coverage?
• Alternatives
• How to switch
• Expert takeaway

In this article

• Generic vs. brand-name Soma
• Generic Soma cost
• Is Soma covered by insurance?
• How do you get coverage?
• Alternatives
• How to switch
• Expert takeaway

Soma is an FDA-approved prescription medication that contains the active ingredient carisoprodol, a skeletal muscle relaxant. It’s used short-term for painful musculoskeletal conditions, low back pain, and muscle spasms, usually alongside rest and physical therapy. As a brand-name drug, Soma was first approved in 1959. However, a generic version has been available in the U.S. since the original patent expired in the early 2000s.

Soma generic availability
Generic name	Carisoprodol
FDA approval date of generic version	Jun. 7, 2005
Is there a generic available for sale in the U.S.?	Yes

What are the differences between generic vs. brand-name Soma?

Generic and brand-name drugs have the same active ingredients and thus the same effects. However, generic drugs are usually more accessible and less costly than brand-name drugs. 

The main differences between the two include appearance, such as color, shape, and markings, as well as inactive ingredients, like binders, fillers, and dyes. Inactive ingredients usually don’t affect how a medication works, but they may be a problem for people who have a hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to them. 

If you have concerns about inactive ingredients when switching between generic and brand-name versions, consult a healthcare provider or pharmacist.

How much does generic Soma cost?

The average price of branded Soma without insurance is $268 for 30 250 mg tablets. The average cash price for the generic version is significantly less, around $55 for 30 250 mg tablets. 

Brand vs. generic Soma prices
Cost details	Brand-name Soma	Soma generic (carisoprodol)
Average cost without insurance	$1,185 for 90, 350 mg tablets of brand-name Soma	$77 for 90, 350 mg tablets of generic Soma
SingleCare’s lowest price	$948 for 90, 350 mg tablets of brand-name Soma	$15 for 90, 350 mg tablets of generic Soma at Kroger
Free coupons	Soma coupons	Carisoprodol coupons

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Feb. 23, 2026. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. 

Is Soma covered by insurance?

Most commercial insurance and Medicare plans cover Soma in its generic form. However, insurance coverage will vary by plan, the formulary, and whether any deductible has been met. In many cases, patients may be responsible for a copay or coinsurance amount. It’s best to check your insurance plan and its formulary for more details.

How do you get Soma covered by insurance?

When insurance doesn’t cover Soma, your healthcare provider might need to obtain prior authorization. This means sending over paperwork to show why you need this specific medication. Sometimes, insurance companies want you to try other muscle relaxants first before they’ll approve coverage for Soma.

Generic alternatives to Soma

If Soma or its generic version isn’t the appropriate treatment for you, other options may be recommended by a healthcare provider. There are different muscle relaxants that can be prescribed and are often available as generics. 

Antispasmodics:

• Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine)
• Robaxin (methocarbamol) 
• Skelaxin (metaxalone) 
• Lorzone (chlorzoxazone)
• Norflex (orphenadrine)

Antispastics:

• Lioresal (baclofen)
• Zanaflex (tizanidine)
• Dantrium (dantrolene) 

Benzodiazepines:

• Valium (diazepam) 

The best alternative muscle relaxant will depend on a person’s overall condition and medical history. A doctor or healthcare provider can help outline treatment options, especially if cost and availability are a concern.

How to switch from Soma to carisoprodol

No specific changes or precautions are needed when switching from Soma to carisoprodol. The two are therapeutically equivalent and are the same dose on a mg-to-mg basis. However, patients who have been on either brand or generic version of carisoprodol long-term (i.e., beyond the maximum recommended duration of two to three weeks) should be tapered off slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms, like anxiety, insomnia, or irritability. 

Pharmacists can typically dispense generic carisoprodol for prescriptions written for Soma, with some exceptions. Some exclusions are if the prescriber specifically designates the medication to be dispensed as written (“DAW”) or brand name necessary (“BMN”). Prescribers may designate prescriptions written for brand-name Soma this way when a patient is known to be intolerant or allergic to inactive ingredients in generic versions, or if the patient has been on the brand-name version long-term with no problems. 

Expert takeaway 

Generic carisoprodol costs a fraction of the price of brand-name Soma and has the same muscle-relaxing effects. Unless a patient has a specific allergy to an inactive ingredient, the generic is preferred.