Meprobamate overdose

Definition

Meprobamate is a drug used to treat anxiety. Meprobamate overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Alternative Names

Equanil overdose

Poisonous Ingredient

• Meprobamate

Where Found

• Equanil
• Equagesic
• Meprogesic
• Miltown

Note: This list may not include all sources of meprobamate.

Symptoms

• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • Blurred vision
  • Double vision
  • Rapid side-to-side movement of the eyes
• Gastrointestinal
  • Vomiting
• Heart and blood
  • Low blood pressure
  • Palpitations
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Slow heart rate
• Lungs
  • Labored breathing
  • Slowed breathing
  • Wheezing
• Nervous system
  • Coma
  • Confusion
  • Convulsions
  • Dizziness
  • Excitability
  • Drowsiness
  • Lack of alertness (stupor)
  • Slurred speech
  • Tremor
  • Uncoordinated movement
  • Weakness
• Skin
  • Blue lips and fingernails
  • Pinpoint red spots

Home Care

Seek immediate medical help. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed

Poison Control

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

The health care provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. You may receive:

• Activated charcoal
• Breathing tube
• Fluids through a vein (by IV)
• Laxative
• Tube through the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)

Outlook (Prognosis)

How well you do depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment is received. The faster you get medical help, the better the chance for recovery.

With proper care, recovery normally occurs (except possibly in patients with aplastic anemia).

References

Benitez JG, Allison LG, Ternullo S. Sedative-hypnotics. In: Shannon MW, Borron SW, Burns MJ, eds. Haddad and Winchester's Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 34.

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