Meprobamate Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 23, 2025.

Applies to meprobamate: oral tablet.

Precautions

If you will be taking this medicine regularly for a long time:

• Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits.
• Check with your doctor at least every 4 months to make sure you need to continue taking this medicine.

If you will be taking this medicine in large doses or for a long time, do not stop taking it without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to reduce gradually the amount you are taking before stopping completely.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system, possibly causing drowsiness). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; prescription pain medicine or narcotics; barbiturates; medicine for seizures; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are taking this medicine.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of some tests, such as the metyrapone test and the phentolamine test, may be affected by this medicine.

If you think you or someone else may have taken an overdose of this medicine, get emergency help at once. Taking an overdose of meprobamate or taking alcohol or other CNS depressants with meprobamate may lead to unconsciousness and possibly death. Some signs of an overdose are severe confusion, drowsiness, or weakness; shortness of breath or slow or troubled breathing; slurred speech; staggering; and slow heartbeat.

This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy, lightheaded, drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. Even if taken at bedtime, it may cause some people to feel drowsy or less alert on arising. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert .

Meprobamate may cause dryness of the mouth. For temporary relief, use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. However, if your mouth continues to feel dry for more than 2 weeks, check with your medical doctor or dentist. Continuing dryness of the mouth may increase the chance of dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease, and fungus infections.

Common side effects of meprobamate

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:

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

Serious side effects of meprobamate

Along with its needed effects, meprobamate 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:

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)

For healthcare professionals

Applies to meprobamate: oral tablet.

General adverse events

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

• 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]

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]

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]

See also:

Further information

Meprobamate side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer