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Meprobamate Coupon - Meprobamate 400mg tablet

meprobamate

Generic Equanil and Miltown
Used for Anxiety
Used for Anxiety

Meprobamate is used to treat anxiety. It's a schedule IV controlled substance that's not commonly used anymore. The brand name is no longer available, but a generic version is still available. Some side effects of meprobamate include sleepiness, dizziness, and slurred speech.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Hope Chang, PharmD, AAHIVP
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on June 7, 2023
BasicsWarningsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsDosageInteractionsCostContraindicationsAlternativesImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
Meprobamate is a controlled substance, which means that it's more likely to be misused or cause dependence. There are federal and state laws that limit the amount of medication that can be prescribed or dispensed within a certain period of time.
basics-icon

What is Meprobamate?

What is Meprobamate used for?

  • Anxiety

How Meprobamate works

Meprobamate is an antianxiety medication. The exact way it works to help relieve anxiety symptoms isn't fully understood. But it's thought to work within your nervous system to help slow down brain signals and cause you to relax.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsMiltown (brand no longer available)
Drug ClassAntianxiety
Controlled Substance ClassificationSchedule IV
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the risks and warnings for Meprobamate?

Meprobamate can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

risk-warning

Addiction and dependence

  • Risk factors: History of alcohol or substance abuse

    Meprobamate is a controlled medication and has a high risk for addiction and dependence. Let your provider know if you have a history of alcohol or substance misuse. Even if you take the medication exactly as directed, your body can become dependent on the medication.

    risk-warning

    Withdrawal symptoms

    • Risk factors: History of seizures

      Don't stop taking meprobamate suddenly, as this can lead to dangerous withdrawal symptoms, such as vomiting, shaking, confusion, and hallucinations. Rarely, meprobamate can make seizures more likely to occur, especially in people with a history of seizures. Let your provider know if you've had seizures before you take meprobamate to make sure this medication is safe for you. If you need to stop this medication for any purpose, your provider will help you gradually lower your dose to lower the risk of these withdrawal symptoms.

      risk-warning

      Serious allergic reaction

      Don't use meprobamate if you have an allergy to carbamate medications, such as carisoprodol (Soma). You might also be allergic to meprobamate. Get medical attention right away if you start developing throat tightness, face swelling, difficulty breathing, hives, or dizziness.

      risk-warning

      Dizziness and drowsiness

      Meprobamate can cause dizziness, drowsiness, and vision problems. Avoid driving and other tasks that require concentration until you know how the medication affects you.

      basics-icon

      What are the side effects of Meprobamate?

      The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

      Common Side Effects

      • Dizziness
      • Drowsiness
      • Nausea
      • Vomiting
      • Diarrhea
      • Slurred speech
      • Headache
      • Weakness
      • Vision changes

      Other Side Effects

      • Vision problems
      • Problems with movement and balance

      Serious Side Effects

      Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
      • Severe allergic reaction: skin rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, facial swelling, throat tightness, swollen lips and/or eyelids
      • Withdrawal: vomiting, problems with coordination, tremors, muscle twitching, confusion, hallucinations, seizures

      Source: DailyMed

      The following side effects have also been reported

      Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

      Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

      Less common

      Skin rash, hives, or itching

      Rare

      Confusion

      fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat

      sore throat and fever

      unusual bleeding or bruising

      unusual excitement

      wheezing, shortness of breath, or troubled breathing

      Symptoms of overdose

      Confusion (severe)

      dizziness or lightheadedness (continuing)

      drowsiness (severe)

      shortness of breath or slow or troubled breathing

      slow heartbeat

      slurred speech

      staggering

      weakness (severe)

      Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

      More common

      Clumsiness or unsteadiness

      drowsiness

      Less common

      Blurred vision or change in near or distant vision

      diarrhea

      dizziness or lightheadedness

      false sense of well-being

      headache

      nausea or vomiting

      unusual tiredness or weakness

      After you stop using this medicine, it may still produce some side effects that need attention. During this period of time, check with your doctor immediately if you notice the following side effects:

      Clumsiness or unsteadiness

      confusion

      convulsions (seizures)

      hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)

      increased dreaming

      muscle twitching

      nausea or vomiting

      nervousness or restlessness

      nightmares

      trembling

      trouble in sleeping

      Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

      Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

      pros-and-cons

      Pros and cons of Meprobamate

      thumbs-up

      Pros

      Works to treat short-term relief of anxiety

      Can be used in children age 6 and older

      Available as a lower-cost generic

      thumbs-down

      Cons

      Not known whether it continues to work well after 4 months

      Risk for addiction, misuse, and dependence

      Stopping the medication suddenly can cause your body to go through withdrawal

      pharmacist-tips

      Pharmacist tips for Meprobamate

      pharmacist

      • Take meprobamate with or without food.

        • Meprobamate works best for short-term treatment of anxiety. It's not known whether it continues to work well after 4 months because long-term studies haven't been done. After a few months, your provider might re-evaluate whether you need to continue to take this medication.

          • Use the lowest meprobamate dose needed to treat your anxiety symptoms. Don't take more than what your provider prescribed because this can lead to more side effects that can be dangerous.

            • Meprobamate commonly causes side effects like dizziness and blurred vision. Be careful if you take other medications that can also make you dizzy and drowsy. Don't drive or do anything that requires a lot of concentration until you know how meprobamate affects you.

              • If you've been taking meprobamate for a while, don't stop taking it all of a sudden. This can cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms like more anxiety, trouble falling asleep, vomiting, and a loss of appetite. If you need to stop this medication, your provider will help you lower your dose slowly over time.

                faqs

                Frequently asked questions about Meprobamate

                Is meprobamate a benzodiazepine?
                No, meprobamate isn't a benzodiazepine. It's part of a different class of anxiety medications that work a little differently than benzodiazepines.
                Is meprobamate still prescribed?
                Meprobamate isn't commonly used to treat anxiety anymore, but it's still available on the market. Currently, there are only generic products available. The brand products have all been discontinued.
                Is meprobamate the same as carisoprodol (Soma)?
                No, meprobamate isn't the same as carisoprodol (Soma), a muscle relaxer. But, carisoprodol (Soma) gets broken down by your liver and becomes meprobamate as a byproduct, so the two medications have similar effects. People who are allergic to meprobamate are often allergic to carisoprodol (Soma) as well.
                Is meprobamate addictive?
                It can be. Meprobamate has a risk of being addictive. This is why it's considered a Schedule IV controlled substance and has more restrictions than other prescription medications. Let your provider know if you have a history of alcohol or substance misuse. And keep meprobamate up and away from children and visitors.
                Can meprobamate be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
                Probably not. Meprobamate should be avoided during pregnancy because it can harm your unborn baby and possibly cause birth defects. And other medications are more preferred while breastfeeding because meprobamate can pass into your breast milk. If you're pregnant, thinking of becoming pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk with your provider about safer medications for your anxiety symptoms.
                Can you drink alcohol with meprobamate?
                Avoid drinking alcohol when you're taking meprobamate. Alcohol and meprobamate have similar effects and can make you very dizzy and drowsy, especially when taken together.
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                dosage

                Meprobamate dosage forms

                The average cost for 90 tablets of 400mg of Meprobamate is $157.50 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 76.31% off the average retail price of $664.76.
                tablet
                Tablet
                DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                200mg30 tablets$42.29$1.41
                400mg90 tablets$157.50$1.75

                Typical dosing for Meprobamate

                • Adults age 12 and older: The usual dose ranges from 1200 mg to 1600 mg by mouth per day, split into 3 or 4 doses throughout the day.

                • Children age 6 to 12 years old: The usual dose ranges from 200 mg to 600 mg by mouth per day, split into 2 or 3 doses throughout the day.

                interactions

                Interactions between Meprobamate and other drugs

                Meprobamate may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Meprobamate. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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                How much does Meprobamate cost?

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                Meprobamate (generic)
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                $42.29

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                contraindications-icon

                Meprobamate contraindications

                Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Meprobamate will not be safe for you to take.
                alternatives

                What are alternatives to Meprobamate?

                There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Meprobamate. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                Meprobamate
                Used for:

                • Anxiety

                $42.29 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                Buspirone
                Used for:

                • Anxiety

                $9.00 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                Hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril)
                Used for:
                $12.00 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                images

                Meprobamate images

                White Round I 4 - Meprobamate 400mg Tablet
                This medicine is White, Round, Scored Tablet Imprinted With "I 4".White Round I 4 - Meprobamate 400mg Tablet
                White Round L 105 - Meprobamate 400mg Tablet
                This medicine is White, Round, Scored Tablet Imprinted With "L 105".White Round L 105 - Meprobamate 400mg Tablet

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                References

                Best studies we found

                Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited. (2023). MEPROBAMATE tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.

                Conermann, T., et al. (2022). Carisoprodol. StatPearls.

                Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed). (2023). Meprobamate. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

                View All References (3)

                GAD Clinical Practice Review Task Force. (2015). Clinical practice review for GAD. Anxiety & Depression Association of America. 

                Gonzalez-Mosquera, L. F., et al. (2023). Acute intermittent porphyria. StatPearls.

                LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury. (2020). Meprobamate. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

                GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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