MEPROBAMATE

Brand & Generic Names

Acabamate	Novomepro
Apo-Meprobamate	Novo-Mepro
Equanil	Pax 400
Equanil Wyseals	Probate
Medi-Tran	Sedabamate
Meprospan	Trancot
Miltown	Tranmep
Neuramate

Basic Information

• Habit forming? Yes
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Tranquilizer

Uses

Reduces mild anxiety, tension and insomnia.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid.
Extended-release capsules--Swallow each dose whole.

When to take:
At the same time each day.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Sedates brain centers which control behavior and emotions.

Time lapse before drug works:
1 to 2 hours.

Don't take with:
Non-prescription drugs containing alcohol or caffeine without consulting doctor.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Dizziness, slurred speech, stagger, confusion, depressed breathing and heart function, stupor, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Hives, rash, intense Seek emergency itching, faintness treatment immediately. soon after a dose, wheezing (anaphylaxis).

Common:

Dizziness, confusion, agitation, drowsiness, unsteadiness, fatigue, weakness.

Infrequent:

• Rash, hives, itchy skin; change in vision; diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.
• False sense of well-being, headache, slurred speech, blurred vision.

Rare:

Sore throat; fever; rapid, pounding, unusually slow or irregular heartbeat; difficult breathing; unusual bleeding or bruising.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to meprobamate, tybamate, carbromal or carisoprodol.
• You have had porphyria.
• Patient is younger than 6.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have epilepsy.
• If you have impaired liver or kidney function.
• If you have tartrazine dye allergy.
• If you suffer from drug abuse or alcoholism, active or in remission.
• If you have porphyria.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug filters into milk. May harm child. Avoid.

Infants & children:
Not recommended.

Prolonged use:

• Habit forming.
• May impair blood-cell production.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment. Report to your doctor any unusual symptom that begins in the first week you discontinue this medicine. These symptoms may include convulsions, confusion, nightmares, insomnia.

Others:
No problems expected.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Anticoagulants*	Decreased anticoagulant effect.
Anticonvulsants*	Change in seizure pattern.
Antidepressants,	Increased antidepressant effect.
Antihistamines*	Possible excessive sedation.
Clozapine	Toxic effect on the central nervous
	system.
Contraceptives*,	Decreased contraceptive
oral	effect.
Dronabinol	Increased effects of both drugs.
	Avoid.
Estrogens*	Decreased estrogen effect.
Ethinamate	Dangerous increased effects of
	ethinamate. Avoid combining.
Fluoxetine	Increased depressant effects of
	both drugs.
Guanfacine	May increase depressant effects of
	either drug.
Leucovorin	High alcohol content of leucovorin
	may cause adverse effects.
MAO inhibitors*	Increased meprobamate effect.
Methyprylon	Increased sedative effect, perhaps
	to dangerous level. Avoid.
Molindone	Increased tranquilizer effect.
Nabilone	Greater depression of central
	nervous system.
Narcotics*	Increased narcotic effect.
Sedatives*	Increased sedative effect.
Sertraline	Increased depressive effects of
	both drugs.
Sleep inducers*	Increased effect of sleep inducer.
Tranquilizers*	Increased tranquilizer effect.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Dangerous increased effect of
	meprobamate.
Caffeine drinks.	Decreased calming effect of
	meprobamate.
Cocaine:	Decreased meprobamate effect.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	Increased sedative effect of
	meprobamate.
Tobacco:	None expected.