meprobamate Pharm.
(mɛˈprəʊbəmeɪt)
[f. methyl + propyl + car)bamate (s.v. carbamide).]
A colourless crystalline compound, CH3CH2CH2C(CH2O·CO·NH2)2CH3, which is a mild tranquillizer used in the treatment of motion sickness, neuroses, and insomnia.
| 1955 Dispensatory U.S.A. (ed. 25) 1861/1 Meprobamate. Equanil (Wyeth). Miltown (Wallace).—This is 2-methyl-2-n-propyl-1,3-propanediol dicarbamate. 1962 A. Huxley Island xiii. 201 Mass opiates in the form of television, meprobamate, positive thinking and cigarettes. 1965 J. Pollitt Depression & its Treatment iv. 48 When tension is more prominent than depression, chlordiazepoxide, meprobamate or even amylobarbitone in average doses will help tide the patient over difficult phases. 1965 Evening Standard 13 Sept. 10/3 He had an envelope full of pep pills—amphetamine—in his left coat pocket and an envelope full of Equanils—meprobamate—in his right pocket. 1967 Martindale's Extra Pharmocopoeia (ed. 25) 391/2 Suicide attempts with meprobamate are not infrequent... There is a serious addiction risk. 1969 Punch 5 Mar. 340/3 The classic example was the test of the tranquilliser meprobamate, sold here under the brand names Miltown and Equanil. It had been one of the most profitable drugs ever marketed—but in the trials, the placebo proved just as effective. |