Side Effects of Meprobamate

Meprobamate is a prescription medication used to treat anxiety and restlessness. The drug is not effective for nervousness or worrying about everyday life. Rather, doctors prescribe it for disorders that occur when patients feel persistent anxiety not associated with any particular cause. Despite its effectiveness in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, meprobamate poses a risk for side effects in some patients.

Neurological

• Two of the most common side effects of meprobamate are neurological symptoms like clumsiness, unsteadiness and drowsiness, reports the Mayo Clinic. Other nervous system effects are possible, such as dizziness, slurred speech, headaches, vertigo, weakness, tingling in your extremities or excitement. Since it may slow your reflexes, exercise caution while driving or operating heavy machinery.

Gastrointestinal

• Gastrointestinal side effects can also occur while taking meprobramate, including nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Often, these symptoms begin when you start treatment with the drug and may diminish over time as your body becomes acclimated to its effects, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Cardiovascular

• Meprobamate can also affect your heart and cardiovascular system, causing rapid or slow heart rate, abnormal heart rhythm or heart palpitations, explains the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Hypotension, or low blood pressure, is also possible and can cause fainting in some cases. Rarely, blood pressure levels drops low enough to become life-threatening.

Hypersensitivity

• Though rare, allergic reactions occur in some patients, warns the U.S. National Library of Medicine. In some cases, this reactions simply causes a mild skin rash or hives. More serious life-threatening reactions like anaphylaxis may also occur, posing a risk for shock or even death. Infrequently, patients develop life-threatening skin reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome. If you develop a rash, shortness of breath, chest pain or swelling of your face or extremities while taking meprobamate, seek emergency medical attention.

Hematological

• Infrequently, use of meprobamate causes shortages of red blood cells (aplastic anemia) or deficiencies of white blood cells (agranulocytosis). In extreme cases, these effects upon the bloodstream have proved fatal, warns the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Addiction

• When taken for long periods of time, meprobamate may become habit-forming and cause withdrawal symptoms when if you suddenly stop taking the drug. Possible adverse reactions from discontinuation include confusion, convulsions, hallucinations, muscle twitching, nausea, vomiting, nervousness, nightmares, trembling and insomnia, reports the Mayo Clinic.

Birth Defects

• When taken during the first three months of pregnancy, tranquilizers like meprobamate may cause birth defects, cautions the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Because of this, doctors may perform a pregnancy test before prescribing the drug to you if you are of child-bearing age.