266 Meprobamate
formation of the medical establishment’s attitude toward meprobamate is,
however, a social history study beyond the scope of this book.
Drawbacks.Meprobamate can cause euphoria and, even though it is a de-
pressant, can have stimulant actions in some circumstances—indeed, mania
has been known to occur after a dose. Unwanted actions include headache,
vision trouble, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, slurred speech, burning or prick-
ling sensations, rashes or other skin outbreaks, severely reduced body tem-
perature, low blood pressure, accelerated heartbeat, fainting, and difficulty in
moving around. Users should avoid operating dangerous devices such as au-
tomobiles. Tests have measured worsened learning ability, physical coordi-
nation, and reaction time while a person is under meprobamate’s influence—
although such problems are not found with all tests designed to detect them.
During meprobamate’s medical popularity in the 1960s military tests ex-
plored the drug’s influence on performance under stress. One test series sim-
ulated aircraft pilot situations involving simultaneous tracking of locations in
two dimensions, monitoring changes in audio signals, and decoding mes-
sages—while exposed to reduced oxygen levels simulating altitudes up to
17,000 feet. In another test series civilian experimenters adapted techniques
used by the Swedish air force in a task where persons had to push buttons,
pull levers, and press pedals in response to lights and sounds. Investigators
basically found that the drug acted as a distraction; people could perform
adequately when low levels of skill were required, but as more and more tasks
had to be accomplished at higher speeds, the drug interfered with perfor-
mance. Such a result was hardly surprising, although details may have been
relevant to military decision makers.
In mice the drug promotes amnesia. Experimenters gave the drug to rats
for 12 weeks and found it reduced the amount of DNA in brain cells. Mepro-
bamate may aggravate porphyria, a blood chemistry disorder that can make
people violent and sensitive to light. Although some persons use the drug for
years without untoward effect, case reports note uncommon instances where
the drug may have caused serious and sometimes fatal blood diseases such
as agranulocytosis and aplastic anemia.
One disquieting effect of meprobamate is its ability to produce flat brain-
wave readings, which could cause medical personnel to cease vital treatment
in a mistaken belief that the patient has died.
Abuse factors.Meprobamate’s abuse potential has been described as similar
to benzodiazepine depressants. Dependence on meprobamate can develop if
excessive amounts are routinely used. Abuse of this drug is considered a par-
ticular risk with addicts toalcoholor other drugs. Symptoms of withdrawal
from meprobamate have been likened to delirium tremens of alcohol with-
drawal and can include tremors and twitches, trouble in controlling move-
ment, insomnia, headache, vomiting, anxiety, confusion, and hallucinations.
Convulsions are possible but uncommon. On rare occasion death has been
attributed to withdrawal, but not all authorities agree that meprobamate is
the sole cause. For sure, however, dogs that are dependent on the substance
can go into convulsions and die if their supply is suddenly cut off.
Drug interactions.In micenicotinereduces the time they are physically
uncoordinated after a meprobamate dose, just as we might expect when a