Meprobamate

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Contents

Introduction

Developed by the Czech scientist Frank A. Berger as a muscle relaxant he discovered serendipitously that the laboratory animals he was working on no longer threatened to bite him.[1] It was marketed as a muscle relaxant and shortly after as a tranquilizer in 1955.

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In January 2012 the EMA recommended the suspension of all marketing authorisations for oral medicines containing meprobamate

Clinical Use

Very rarely used now because of its dependence potential it was the wonder drug of the late 1950s.

  • First specific anxiolytic
  • First commercial drug used to treat hypertension
  • Used as a sedative to replace barbituates when their dependence potential was causing concern
  • Used as a muscle relaxant. (in Equagesic® until 1992 in UK)

Indications

Administration

Oral 200mg tds to 400mg qds in adults.

Clinical Issues

Contra-indications

Cautions and Interactions

  • Respiratory disease

Side effects

  • Drowsiness
  • Hypotension

Special advice

Pharmacology

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