$Unique_ID{BRK03219} $Pretitle{} $Title{meprobamate and aspirin combination} $Subject{Epromate Major Equagesic Wyeth Equazine M Rugby Mepro-analgesic United Research Meprobamate Compound Interstate Mepro Schein Meprogese Geneva Generics Meprogesic Q Micrainin Wallace Sedative analgesic meprobamate aspirin tension headaches pain muscles joints tension anxiety central nervous system brain spinal cord depressant} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. meprobamate and aspirin combination ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers) aspirin and meprobamate combination (various manufacturers) Epromate (Major) Equagesic (Wyeth) Equazine M (Rugby) Mepro-analgesic (United Research) Meprobamate Compound (Interstate) Mepro Compound (Schein) Meprogese (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 well-being, 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. BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently taking, especially 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 meprobamate and aspirin combination contains aspirin, additional medications that contain aspirin should not be administered without your doctor's approval. Check the labels on any over-the-counter (nonprescription) pain, sinus, allergy, asthma, cough, and cold products you might be taking 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. ---------------- 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.