Meprobamate
Brand Name(s): Amosene®, Bamate®, Equanil®, Mepriam®, Meprospan®, Miltown®, Neuramate®, Tranmep®, Equagesic® (as a combination product containing Aspirin, Meprobamate), Micrainin® (as a combination product containing Aspirin, Meprobamate), Milprem® (as a combination product containing Conjugated Estrogens, Meprobamate), PMB® (as a combination product containing Conjugated Estrogens, Meprobamate), Q-gesic® (as a combination product containing Aspirin, Meprobamate); also available generically
WHY is this medicine prescribed?
Meprobamate is used to treat anxiety disorders or for short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety in adults and children 6 years of age and older. Meprobamate is in a class of medications called tranquilizers. It works by slowing activity in the brain to allow for relaxation.
HOW should this medicine be used?
Meprobamate comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken 2 to 3 times a day in children and 3 to 4 times a day in adults. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take meprobamate exactly as directed.
Meprobamate can be habit-forming, do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or for a longer period than your doctor tells you to. Do not stop taking this medication without talking to your doctor, especially if you have been taking it for a long time. Your doctor probably will decrease your dose gradually.
Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?
Before taking meprobamate,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to meprobamate, carisoprodol, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in meprobamate tablets. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: antidepressants, medications for anxiety, medications for mental illness, seizures, sedatives, sleeping pills, tranquilizers. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had porphyria (condition in which certain natural substances build up in the body and may cause stomach pain, changes in thinking and behavior, and other symptoms). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take meprobamate.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease, a history of alcohol or drug abuse, or epilepsy. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had thoughts of harming or killing yourself or trying to do so.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking meprobamate, call your doctor immediately. Meprobamate may harm the fetus.
- talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking meprobamate if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not usually take meprobamate because it is not as safe as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking meprobamate.
- you should know that this medication may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
- talk to your doctor about the safe use of alcohol during your treatment with meprobamate. Alcohol can make the side effects of meprobamate worse.
What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?
Do not take a missed dose when you remember it. Skip it completely; then take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time.
What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?
Meprobamate may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- headache
- vision changes
- excitement
- weakness
- rash
- itching
- hives or skin blistering
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- fever, sore throat, or chills
- swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, or throat
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- bloody nose
- tiny purple-colored skin spots
- loss of muscle coordination
- pounding or irregular heartbeat
Meprobamate may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
What should I know about STORAGE and DISPOSAL of this medication?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include the following:
- loss of muscle coordination
- slurred speech
- drowsiness
What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to meprobamate.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Meprobamate is a controlled substance. Prescriptions may be refilled only a limited number of times; ask your pharmacist if you have any questions.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.
AHFS® Patient Medication Information™. © Copyright, 2024. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.
Selected Revisions: April 15, 2019.