Psychotropic drugs are used in the treatment of mental illnesses because they are capable of chemically affecting the mind and emotions, therefore helping to modify some types of behavior (StedmanÆs Medical Dictionary, 1995). Some of the disorders that psychotropic drugs are prescribed for include anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenic disorders (Physicians Desk Reference, 2001). This paper will specifically examine the drug meprobamate: what it is, what it is used for, who should use it, who should not use it, and its side affects.
Meprobamate is a white powder with a bitter taste and characteristic odor, which breaks down easily in acetone and alcohol, slightly in water, and sparingly in ether (Physicians Desk Reference, 2001). It is derived from carbamate, a urethane also called ethyl carbamate, which is a chemical compound that is used in medications to treat certain forms of leukemia and bone marrow cancer. Urethane was originally introduced as a sedative but is no longer used for that purpose because of its instability (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2001). Its derivatives however, such as meprobamate, are more stable and have many uses.
Meprobamate is known as an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety agent) that is used to relieve nervousness or tension by acting as a depressant on the central nervous system, as well as the thalamus and limbic system (Physicians Desk Reference, 2001; Medline Plus, 2001). In other words, it affects the chemicals in your brain that may be causing anxiety because they are unbalanced. Specifically, meprobamate is prescribed for the management of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of anxiety, nervousness or tension. Use of this medication should not exceed four months, or should at least be reassessed at that time (Physicians Desk Reference, 2001).
Recent studies have also been done on the effectiveness of using meprobamate to help in smoking cessation. The...