meprobamate
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Definition
Noun 1. A sedative and tranquilizer drug: Meprobamate is a medication belonging to the class of carbamate derivatives. It is primarily used to reduce muscle tension, relieve anxiety, and promote calmness or sleep. Its effects are central nervous system depression.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- The doctor prescribed meprobamate for her acute anxiety symptoms.
- Meprobamate was once a commonly used tranquilizer before the development of newer drugs.
- The study compared the efficacy of meprobamate to a placebo.
Advanced Usage
- Chemical compound: In pharmacological contexts, meprobamate is referred to by its chemical name, 2-methyl-2-propyl-1,3-propanediol dicarbamate.
- Historical context: Meprobamate was one of the first widely prescribed anti-anxiety medications (anxiolytics) in the 1950s and 1960s, marking a significant era in psychopharmacology.
Variants and Related Words
- Trade/Brand Names: The noun "meprobamate" is the generic (non-proprietary) name for the drug. Well-known brand names under which it has been sold include:
- Miltown
- Equanil
- Meprin
Synonyms
- Tranquilizer (chiefly US), Tranquilliser (chiefly UK): A drug used to reduce tension or anxiety.
- Sedative: A substance that promotes calmness or induces sleep.
- Anxiolytic: A medication that inhibits anxiety.
- Muscle relaxant: A drug that relieves muscle stiffness or spasms. (Note: Meprobamate has muscle relaxant properties but is not typically classified as a primary muscle relaxant like other modern drugs.)
Related Phrases
- Central nervous system depressant: A category of drugs that slow down brain activity, which includes meprobamate.
- Controlled substance: In many jurisdictions, meprobamate is classified as a controlled substance due to its potential for dependence and abuse.
Noun
- a sedative and tranquilizer (trade name Miltown and Equanil and Meprin) used to treat muscle tension and anxiety