Equanil
Generic Name: meprobamate (meh pro BA mate)
Brand Names: Equanil, Miltown
What is Equanil (meprobamate)?
Meprobamate affects chemicals in your brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety.
Meprobamate is used to relieve anxiety, nervousness, and tension associated with anxiety
disorders.
Meprobamate may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Equanil (meprobamate)?
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities.
Meprobamate may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and blurred vision. If you experience drowsiness,
dizziness, or blurred vision, avoid these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking
meprobamate.
Do not stop taking meprobamate suddenly if you have been taking it for several weeks.
Stopping suddenly may cause withdrawal symptoms and make you uncomfortable. Talk to your doctor
if you need to stop treatment with meprobamate.
Notify your doctor if you develop a fever, a skin rash, or a sore throat.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
Equanil (meprobamate)?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
You may not be able to take meprobamate, or you may require a lower
dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Meprobamate may harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking
to your doctor if you are pregnant.
Meprobamate passes into breast milk. Do not take meprobamate without first talking to
your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from
meprobamate. You may require a lower dose of this medication or special monitoring during treatment.
Meprobamate is not approved for use by children younger than 6 years of age.
How should I take Equanil (meprobamate)?
Take meprobamate exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these
instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Do not crush, chew, or open any of the tablets or capsules. Swallow them whole.
Do not take more of this medication than is prescribed for you.
Do not stop taking meprobamate suddenly if you have been taking it for several weeks.
Stopping suddenly may cause withdrawal symptoms and make you uncomfortable. Talk to your doctor
if you need to stop treatment with meprobamate.
Store meprobamate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next
dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication. A double dose could be very dangerous.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms of a meprobamate overdose include sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, a slow
heartbeat, difficulty breathing, difficulty walking and talking, an appearance of being drunk, and
unconsciousness.
What should I avoid while taking Equanil (meprobamate)?
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities.
Meprobamate may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and blurred vision. If you experience drowsiness,
dizziness, or blurred vision, avoid these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking
meprobamate.
Avoid other sedatives, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers. They should not be used while you are
taking meprobamate unless your doctor approves.
Equanil (meprobamate) side effects
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking meprobamate and
seek emergency medical attention:
-
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, face, or tongue; or hives);
-
fast or irregular heartbeats;
-
abnormal behavior;
-
fever;
-
a skin rash; or
-
a sore throat.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to
take meprobamate and talk to your doctor if you experience
-
drowsiness or dizziness,
-
headache,
-
weakness,
-
vomiting or diarrhea, or
-
numbness or tingling.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor
about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Equanil (meprobamate)?
Meprobamate may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including
antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, other anxiety
medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not
take any medicine unless your doctor approves.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with meprobamate. Talk to your doctor and
pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Where can I get more information?
-
Your pharmacist has additional information about meprobamate written for health professionals
that you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Meprobamate is available with a prescription generically and under the brand names Equanil,
Miltown, Neuramate, and Meprospan. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask
your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
-
Equanil 200 mg-white, five-sided tablets
-
Equanil 400 mg-white, round, scored tablets
-
Miltown 200 mg-white, sugar-coated tablets
-
Miltown 400 mg-white, scored tablets
-
Miltown 600 mg-white, capsule-shaped tablets
-
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your
medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
- Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is
accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be
time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the
United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless
specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners
in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for,
the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or
appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare
administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover
all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have
questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.07. Revision Date: 8/30/04 2:36:57 PM.
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