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Paper Abstract: Examines this psychotropic drug. What it is, and its derivation. Brand names of the drug. How it is used in the treatment of mental illness. Which patients should use the drug; who should not. Side effects. Poetntial hazard involved in operating motor vehicles. Concludes that meprobamate is helpful in the short run. Paper Introduction: Introduction 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 (Stedman’s 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. What Is Meprobamate Meprobamate is a white powder with a bitter taste and characteristic odor, which breaks down easily in acetone and Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. A potential hazard due to these reactions isthat judgment may be impaired when driving a motor vehicle or operatingheavy machinery (Physicians Desk Reference, 2 1; Medline Plus, 2 1).In 1999, Jeff Collins of the Orange County Register interviewed policeofficials and the supervisor of the toxicology section of the Orange CountyCrime Lab about this type of hazard. There is also a generic name productavailable in the United States. (1999). However, 21 cases showedimpairment due to meprobamate alone. Vol. b1. It may also be temporarilyused for those experiencing overwhelming anxiety and who just need somehelp dealing with it. Otherwise the missed dose should be skippedaltogether until the next dose is due. Introduction Psychotropic drugs are used in the treatment of mental illnessesbecause they are capable of chemically affecting the mind and emotions,therefore helping to modify some types of behavior (Stedman's MedicalDictionary, 1995). (2 1). This causes exceeding drowsiness in newborns.Children under the age of six should not use meprobamate at all (PhysiciansDesk Reference, 2 1). b1). M., M.S. In 2 , an academic study was done in 1999 by Logan, Case, and Gordonappeared in the Journal of Forensic Science that examined the contributionof such drugs as meprobamate in motor accidents and moving violation. Medscape, Inc.Available online at:http://www.medscape.com/cochrane/abstracts/ab 2849.html Logan, B. Additionally, any one who thinks that they may become pregnantin the future or who intends to become pregnant in the future shoulddiscuss discontinuing the medication with their doctor. F., Lancaster, T. Reference Collins, J. Recent studies have also been done on the effectiveness of usingmeprobamate to help in smoking cessation. Urethane was originally introduced as a sedative but isno longer used for that purpose because of its instability (EncyclopediaBritannica, 2 1). A., B.S., Gordon, A. (2 )."Carisoprodol, Meprobamate, and Driving Impairment." Journal of ForensicScience. Brand names in the United Statesinclude Equanil, Meprospan (in 2 and 4 mg), "Miltown" (in 2 , 4 , and6 mg), Probate, and Trancot. Often the tests submitted showed that individualswere usually on other medications as well, or had consumed alcohol ornarcotics at some point before driving. According to Logan, et al., there were 1 4 cases ofimpaired driving due to drugs, such as meprobamate, between January 1996and July 1998 (2 ). Women who are pregnant should not use meprobamate as several studiessuggest an increased risk of congenital malformation when minortranquilizers are used during the first trimester. Forexample, those who are allergic to such drugs as carbromal, carisoprodol,mebutamate, or tybamate, should not take meprobamate (Medline Plus, 2 1). R., Stead, L. K., Ph.D., Case, G. 3, p. Most laboratories do not test fordrugs like meprobamate, though it is a contributor to accidents due toimpaired driving. Other withdrawal symptoms may include increaseddreaming, trouble sleeping, muscle twitching, convulsions or seizures, andhallucinations (Medline Plus, 2 1).Conclusion Meprobamate is a drug that, although helpful in the short-term reliefof nervous tension or anxiety, should be taken with the utmost caution andonly under a doctor's close supervision. (1995). Never double up on doses, asoverdosing on meprobamate is extremely dangerous. Its derivatives however, such as meprobamate, are morestable and have many uses.What Meprobamate Is Used ForMeprobamate is known as an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety agent) that is used torelieve nervousness or tension by acting as a depressant on the centralnervous system, as well as the thalamus and limbic system (Physicians DeskReference, 2 1; Medline Plus, 2 1). There are various side affects that thepatient needs to be aware of and if any of these should occur, he or sheneeds to notify his or her doctor immediately. Available online at:http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=76414&tocid= &query=carbamate. Other side affects that are not so common include impaired vision,overstimulation or over excitement, false sense of well-being, head-ache,nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, unusual weakness, heart palpitations, variousforms of arrhythmia, and heightened EEG activity or possible seizures(Medline Plus, 2 1; Physicians' Desk Reference, 2 1). "Urethane." Britannica.com, Inc.[Accessed November 23, 2 1]. Meprobamate is available only through a doctor's prescription inextended release capsules and tablets. Medline Plus Drug Information. For this reason, before drug therapy is started, the possibilitythat a woman of childbearing age may be pregnant should be considered andtested for. "Anxiolytics forSmoking Cessation." Cochrane Review Abstracts. If the patient is taking any other medications, especially centralnervous system depressants or tricyclic antidepressants (for depression),then the doctor and/or pharmacist needs to know, just in case there will beadverse reactions to the meprobamate. Montvale, NJ:Medical Economics Company. Use of this medication should not exceed four months, or shouldat least be reassessed at that time (Physicians Desk Reference, 2 1). He was told that the most common drugs found in blood tests of Orange County motorists are Soma, a muscle relaxant given for back pain; Valium, a tranquilizer; meprobamate, the drug found in the Miltown tranquilizer; Xanax, an anti-anxiety drug; diphenhydramine, a sleep aid found in over-the-counter decongestants; and Vicodin, a painkiller" (Collins, 1999, p. (2 ), pointed out, whether or notthe concentration of meprobamate is high in the blood stream does notnecessarily predict whether or not side affects will occur in individuals,or to what extent. As with all medications, dosing will bedifferent for different patients, however, generally children from 6 to 12years of age take 1 to 2 milligrams two or three times a day. Some of the disorders that psychotropic drugs areprescribed for include anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, andschizophrenic disorders (Physicians Desk Reference, 2 1). Signs of overdoseinclude severe confusion, continuing dizziness or lightheadedness, severedrowsiness, shortness of breath, slow heartbeat, slurred speech,staggering, and severe weakness (Medline Plus, 2 1).Who Should Not Use Meprobamate There are specific populations who should not use meprobamate, or whoshould only use it under the strict supervision of a physician. In any case,the authors advise that blood concentrations are not a good way to predictthe specific effects on the user, nor the degree to which they will bepresent in any individual. Because anxiolytics and anti-depressantsincrease the amount of these chemicals in the brain, meprobamate wouldassist in alleviating the need for smoking (Hughes, Stead, & Lancaster,2 ).Who Should Use Meprobamate Meprobamate should be used by those people who are experiencinganxiety due a chemical balance in the brain. The PDR mentions that death has been reported with theingestion of as little as 12 grams of meprobamate, while survival hasoccurred with as much as 4 grams in the blood stream (2 1). Supplement B. Moreover, the patient should seekadvice from a physician or not use meprobamate at all if he or she iscurrently experiencing, or has a history of, other medical problems such asepilepsy, kidney disease, liver disease, porphyrias (a rare, inheritedcondition that affects the biosynthesis of certain enzymes thus causingproblems in the liver, red blood cells, skin, and nervous system), alcoholabuse, or drug abuse (Medline Plus, 2 1).Side Affects and Warnings Meprobamate is a drug that should be taken with caution and onlyunder a physician's supervision. Stedman's Medical Dictionary. Specifically, meprobamate is prescribed for the management ofanxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of anxiety, nervousness ortension. Available online at:http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meprobamatesystemic2 2348.html Physicians' Desk Reference. Santa Ana, May1, p. The theory is that since anxietyis a symptom of nicotine withdrawal, meprobamate may be an aid in lesseningthe cravings. "Meprobamate (Systemic)".Bethesda, MD: Micromedex, Inc. It should not, however, be used for relieving normaltension and anxiety that is associated with the stress of everyday life. It should be noted that although some in some casesthere had been abuse of the use of meprobamate, in others there was alegitimate doctor's order to take meprobamate therapeutically. Not only does it have someserious side affects that could be potentially fatal, but it is alsoaddictive enough that the Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR)(2 1) issues awarning to dispense the drug in the smallest amount at a time to preventboth accidental overdose and possible abuse or suicide attempts. Use by the elderly, those over the age of 65, have a greater chance ofexperiencing problems because of heart and liver problems, as well as beingon multiple medications. (2 ). Furthermore, womenwho are breast-feeding their children should not use meprobamate as itappears in breast milk in 2-4 times higher concentrations than in the bloodstream of the mother. For this reason, meprobamate dosage should beregulated carefully and begin with the smallest dosage necessary(Physicians Desk Reference, 2 1). Thestudy was done in Washington State to determine the frequency of the use ofmeprobamate in individuals involved in accidents or who had committedmoving violations. Additionally, addiction to smoking seems to be because thebrain doesn't produce enough of certain chemicals such as serotonin,dopamine, and norepinephrine. Meprobamate passesthrough the placenta to come into contact with the fetus as well as beingpresent in umbilical cord blood at the same level as in the mother's bloodstream. Asnoted before, the need for this drug should be reassessed every four months(Physicians Desk Reference, 2 1). In other words, it affects thechemicals in your brain that may be causing anxiety because they areunbalanced. August 29. It shouldalso be noted that, as Logan, et al. "Street Smarts: Driving under influence of legaldrugs a prescription for a ticket." Orange County Register. 619-623. Adultsand children over the age of twelve are usually prescribed 4 milligramsthree or four times a day, or 6 milligrams twice a day. Some of the most common reactions to meprobamate are clumsiness,drowsiness, or unsteadiness. Encyclopжdia Britannica (2 1). Montvale, NJ: Williams &Wilkins. This paper willspecifically 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.What Is Meprobamate Meprobamate is a white powder with a bitter taste and characteristicodor, which breaks down easily in acetone and alcohol, slightly in water,and sparingly in ether (Physicians Desk Reference, 2 1). Not only may theseside affects occur while taking meprobamate, but they may also occur aswithdrawal symptoms after the patient has ceased to take meprobamate.Meprobamate has been known to be addictive in nature, so it is advised thatthe patient allow at least two days for their body to adjust after ceasingto take meprobamate. It is derivedfrom carbamate, a urethane also called ethyl carbamate, which is a chemicalcompound that is used in medications to treat certain forms of leukemia andbone marrow cancer. Hughes, J. Because of this, physicians should carefullywarn patients about this particular hazard when taking meprobamate (Logan,Case & Gordon, 2 ). 45, no. (2 1). If a dose ismissed, it may be taken if this fact is remembered within an hour of thenormal dosage times. In any case,this is a drug that should be administered and taken with extreme caution. 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