$Unique_ID{BRK02018}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{MEPROBAMATE AND ASPIRIN COMBINATION}
$Subject{Epromate (Major)
Equagesic (Wyeth)
Equazine M (Rugby)
Mepro-analgesic (United Research)
Meprobamate Compound (Interstate)
Mepro Compound (Schein)
Meproges E (Geneva Generics)
Meprogesic Q (various manufacturers)
Micrainin (Wallace)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


MEPROBAMATE AND ASPIRIN COMBINATION
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Epromate (Major)
     Equagesic (Wyeth)
     Equazine M (Rugby)
     Mepro-analgesic (United Research)
     Meprobamate Compound (Interstate)
     Mepro Compound (Schein)
     Meproges E (Geneva Generics)
     Meprogesic Q (various manufacturers)
     Micrainin (Wallace)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Sedative and analgesic
INGREDIENTS:
     meprobamate and aspirin
DOSAGE FORM:
     Tablets (200 mg meprobamate and 325 mg aspirin)
STORAGE:
     Meprobamate and aspirin combination tablets should be stored at room
       temperature in a tightly closed, light-resistant container.  Moisture
       can cause aspirin to decompose.

USES

     Meprobamate and aspirin combination is used to relieve tension headaches
and pain in muscles or joints associated with tension or anxiety.  It is
unclear exactly how meprobamate works to relieve anxiety and tension, but it
appears to be a central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) depressant.

TREATMENT

     In order to avoid stomach irritation, you can take meprobamate and
aspirin combination with food or with a full glass of water or milk (unless
your doctor directs otherwise).
     If you are taking this medication on a regular schedule and you miss a
dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for
the next dose.  In that case, do not take the missed dose at all; just return
to your regular dosing schedule.  Do not double the next dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Abdominal pain, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue,
headache, light-headedness, nausea, vomiting, or weakness.  These side effects
should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
     If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up
slowly from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
blurred vision, buzzing in the ears, chest tightness, clumsiness, confusion,
convulsions, difficult or painful urination, fainting, false sense of
wellbeing, fever, headache, loss of coordination, mental depression,
nightmares, numbness or tingling, palpitations, rapid weight gain, shortness
of breath, skin rash, slurred speech, sore throat, unusual bleeding or
bruising, or unusual weakness.

INTERACTIONS

     This medicine interacts with other types of drugs:
     1. Concurrent use of meprobamate with other central nervous system
depressants (such as alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine
tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, pain medications, phenothiazine
tranquilizers, and sleeping medications) or with tricyclic antidepressants may
cause extreme drowsiness.
     2. Aspirin can increase the effects of blood thinners, such as warfarin,
thereby leading to a possible increase in bleeding complications.
     3. The antigout effects of probenecid and sulfinpyrazone may be blocked
by aspirin.
     4. Aspirin can increase the gastrointestinal side effects of
anti-inflammatory medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
alcohol, phenylbutazone, and adrenocorticosteroids (cortisone-like medicines).
     5. Ammonium chloride, methionine, and furosemide can increase the side
effects of aspirin; and acetazolamide, methazolamide, antacids, and
phenobarbital can decrease the effectiveness of aspirin.
     6. Aspirin can increase the side effects of methotrexate, penicillin,
thyroid hormone, phenytoin, sulfinpyrazone, naproxen, valproic acid, insulin,
and oral antidiabetic medicines.
     7. It can decrease the effects of spironolactone.
     Before starting to take this medication, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR
about any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed
above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to meprobamate, carbromal, carisoprodol,
mebutamate, tybamate, aspirin, methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen),
diclofenac, diflunisal, fenoprofen, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, indomethacin,
ketoprofen, meclofenamate, mefenamic acid, naproxen, piroxicam, sulindac, or
tolmetin.
     * Before starting to take meprobamate and aspirin combination, be sure to
tell your doctor if you have a history of drug abuse or if you now have or
have ever had asthma, bleeding disorders, congestive heart failure, diabetes,
epilepsy, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, gout,
hemophilia, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, nasal polyps,
peptic ulcers, porphyria, or thyroid disease.
     * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking aspirin.  Treatment with
aspirin is usually discontinued five to seven days before surgery, to prevent
bleeding complications.
     * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, avoid taking part in any
activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
potentially dangerous machinery.
     * The use of aspirin in children (about 16 years of age or less) with the
flu or chicken pox has been associated with a rare, life-threatening condition
called Reye's syndrome.  Aspirin-containing products should, therefore, not be
given to children with signs of infection.
     * Diabetic patients should know that large doses of aspirin (greater than
eight 325-mg tablets per day) can cause erroneous readings on urine glucose
tests.  Diabetics should, therefore, check with their doctor before changing
their insulin dosage while they are taking this medication.
     * Meprobamate is a potentially habit-forming medication.  It should,
therefore, be used with caution.  If this drug is being used for several
months, tolerance to it may develop.  Do not stop taking the drug unless you
first consult your doctor.  A withdrawal reaction could result from stopping
this medication abruptly.  Your doctor may, therefore, want to reduce your
dosage of the medication gradually.
     * Because this product contains aspirin, additional medications that
contain aspirin should not be taken without your doctor's approval.  Check the
labels on over-the-counter (nonprescription) pain, sinus, allergy, asthma,
cough, and cold products to see if they contain aspirin.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Meprobamate can cause
birth defects if taken during the first three months of pregnancy.  In
addition, large doses of aspirin taken close to term may prolong labor and may
cause bleeding complications in the mother and heart problems in the infant.
Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.  Both meprobamate
and aspirin pass into breast milk.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
