Miltown Side Effects

Generic name: meprobamate

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 25, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about meprobamate. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Miltown.

Applies to meprobamate: oral tablet.

Serious side effects of Miltown

Along with its needed effects, meprobamate (the active ingredient contained in Miltown) 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 while taking meprobamate:

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)

Other side effects of Miltown

Some side effects of meprobamate 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

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to meprobamate: oral tablet.

General

CNS effects such as drowsiness and dizziness may occur, but these usually resolve as treatment continues; allergic or idiosyncratic reactions have occurred and are generally seen within the first to fourth dose.^[Ref]

Nervous system

Frequency not reported: Drowsiness, ataxia, dizziness, slurred speech, headache, weakness, paresthesia, overstimulation, fast EEG activity^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity reactions have been reported in about 2% of patients. Milder hypersensitivity reactions are characterized by an itchy, urticarial, or erythematous maculopapular rash which may be generalized or localized to the groin. More serious hypersensitivity reactions have included rare reports of anaphylaxis, hypotension and collapse; erythema multiforme, exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and bullous dermatitis (1 fatal case).^[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Hypersensitivity reactions

Frequency not reported: Itchy, urticarial, or erythematous maculopapular rash, anaphylaxis, erythema multiforme, exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, bullous dermatitis, fixed drug eruption with cross reaction to carisoprodol, cross sensitivity between meprobamate/mebutamate and meprobamate/carbromal^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Frequency not reported: Erythema multiforme, exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, bullous dermatitis, angioneurotic edema^[Ref]

Respiratory

Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Frequency not reported: Palpitation, tachycardia, arrhythmias, transient ECG changes, syncope, hypotensive crisis, peripheral edema^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Frequency not reported: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomatitis, proctitis^[Ref]

Hematologic

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): thrombocytopenic purpura

Frequency not reported: Leukopenia, acute nonthrombocytopenic purpura, petechiae, ecchymosis, eosinophilia, adenopathy, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, pancytopenia^[Ref]

Metabolic

Frequency not reported: Exacerbation of porphyria^[Ref]

Ocular

Frequency not reported: Impaired visual accommodation

Other

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): hyperpyrexia

Frequency not reported: Vertigo, fever, chills^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Frequency not reported: Euphoria, paradoxical excitement, withdrawal symptoms^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Frequency not reported: Oliguria, anuria^[Ref]

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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