Meprobamate

Meprobamate
Meprobamate
Systematic (IUPAC) name
[2-(carbamoyloxymethyl)-2-methyl-pentyl] carbamate
Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.com monograph
MedlinePlus a682077
Pregnancy cat. D(US)
Legal status Schedule IV (US)
Routes Oral
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability  ?
Metabolism Hepatic
Half-life 10 hours
Excretion Renal
Identifiers
CAS number 57-53-4 YesY
ATC code N05BC01
PubChem CID 4064
DrugBank APRD01095
ChemSpider 3924 YesY
UNII 9I7LNY769Q YesY
KEGG D00376 YesY
ChEMBL CHEMBL979 YesY
Chemical data
Formula C9H18N2O4 
Mol. mass 218.250 g/mol
SMILES eMolecules & PubChem
Physical data
Density 1.229 g/cm³
Melt. point 105-106 °C (-54 °F)
Boiling point 200-210 °C (-146 °F)
 N(what is this?)  (verify)

Meprobamate (marketed under the brand names Miltown by Wallace Laboratories, Equanil by Wyeth, and Meprospan) is a carbamate derivative which is used as an anxiolytic drug. It was the best-selling minor tranquilizer for a time, but has largely been replaced by the benzodiazepines.

Contents

History

Meprobamate was first synthesized by Bernard John Ludwig, PhD, and Frank Milan Berger, MD, at Carter Products in May 1950. Wallace Laboratories, a subsidiary of Carter Products, bought the license and named it Miltown after the borough of Milltown in New Jersey. Launched in 1955, it rapidly became the first blockbuster psychotropic drug in American history, becoming popular in Hollywood and gaining notoriety for its seemingly miraculous effects.[1]

In the mid-1940s, Dr. Berger was working in a laboratory of a British drug company, looking for a preservative for penicillin, when he noticed that a compound called mephenesin had a sedative effect in small laboratory animals (rodents). Dr. Berger subsequently referred to this sedating or “tranquilizing” effect in a now-historic article, published by The British Journal of Pharmacology in 1946. However, there were three major drawbacks to the use of mephenesin as a tranquilizer: a very short duration of action, greater effect on the spinal cord than on the brain, and a weak activity. [2] After moving to Wallace Laboratories in New Jersey, Dr. Berger and a chemist, Dr. Bernard Ludwig, synthesized a chemically-related tranquilizing compound, meprobamate, that was able to overcome these three drawbacks.[3] It was soon prescribed under the trade name Miltown.

A December 1955 study of 101 patients at the Mississippi State Hospital in Whitfield, Mississippi, found meprobamate useful in the alleviation of "mental symptoms." Three percent of the patients made a complete recovery, 29% were greatly improved, and 50% were somewhat better. Eighteen percent realized little change. Self-destructive patients became cooperative and calmer, and experienced a resumption of logical thinking. In 50% of the cases relaxation brought about more favorable sleep habits. Hydrotherapy and all types of shock treatment were halted.[4] Meprobamate was found to help in the treatment of alcoholics by 1956.[5] By 1957, over 36 million prescriptions had been filled for meprobamate in the US alone, a billion pills had been manufactured, and it accounted for fully a third of all prescriptions written.[6] Dr. Berger, clinical director of Wallace Laboratories (who died on March 16, 2008, aged 94[7]), described it as a relaxant of the central nervous system, whereas other tranquilizers suppressed it. A University of Michigan study found that meprobamate affected driving skills. Though patients reported being able to relax more easily, meprobamate did not completely alleviate their tense feelings. The disclosures came at a special scientific meeting at the Barbizon Plaza Hotel in New York City, at which Aldous Huxley addressed an evening session. He predicted the development of many chemicals "capable of changing the quality of human consciousness," in the next few years.[8] Coincidentally, carisoprodol, a prodrug of meprobamate, was initially marketed under the trade name of "Soma," which was also a fictional drug in Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. Latterly carisoprodol was marketed as a skeletal muscle relaxant under the name of "Carisoma." It was never as popular as the rival products baclofen or dantrolene, and is principally known for having inspired the "Ashworth Scale" to rate the degree of spasticity.[citation needed]

In January 1960 Carter Products, Inc., makers of Miltown and American Home Products Corporation, which marketed Equanil, were charged with having conspired to monopolize the market in mild tranquilizers. It was revealed that the sale of meprobamate earned $40,000,000 for the defendants. Of this amount American Home Products accounted for approximately 2/3 and Carter about 1/3. The U.S. Government sought an order mandating that Carter make its meprobamate patent available at no charge to any company desiring to use it.[9]

In April 1965 meprobamate was removed from the list of tranquilizers when experts ruled that the drug was a sedative instead. The U.S. Pharmacopoeia published the ruling. At the same time the Medical Letter disclosed that meprobamate could be addictive at dosage levels not much above recommended.[10] In December 1967 meprobamate was placed under abuse control amendments to the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Records on production and distribution were required to be kept. Limits were placed on prescription duration and refills.[11]

Production continued throughout the 1960s but by 1970 it was listed as a controlled substance after it was discovered to cause physical and psychological dependence. The drug is considered[by whom?] to be the forerunner of the modern-era benzodiazepine class of anti-anxiety and sedative/hypnotic drugs (as the pharmacological actions of the benzodiazepines on the central nervous system mimic those of meprobamate). The first member of the benzodiazepine class, chlordiazepoxide (synthesized by the Swiss firm, Hoffman LaRoche and marketed as Librium when introduced in 1960), gave rise to the drug diazepam — better known by its original brand-name, Valium (also introduced by Roche Products).

Pharmacology

Although it was marketed as being safer, meprobamate has most of the pharmacological effects and dangers of the barbiturates (though it is less sedating at effective doses). It is reported to have some anticonvulsant properties against absence seizures, but can exacerbate generalized tonic-clonic seizures.

Meprobamate's mechanism of action is not completely known. It has been shown in animal studies to have effects at multiple sites in the central nervous system, including the thalamus and limbic system. Meprobamate binds to GABAA receptors[12] which interrupts neuronal communication in the reticular formation and spinal cord, causing sedation and altered perception of pain. It has been shown that meprobamate has the ability to activate currents even in the absence of GABA.[13] It is also a potent adenosine reuptake inhibitor (AdoRI).[14][15]

Related drugs include carisoprodol (a prodrug of meprobamate) and tybamate.

Indications

Meprobamate is licensed for the short-term relief of anxiety, although it is not known whether the purported anti-anxiety effects of meprobamate are separable from its sedative effects. Its effectiveness as a selective agent for the treatment of anxiety has not been proven in humans,[16] and is not used as often as the benzodiazepines for this purpose.

Meprobamate is available in 200 mg and 400 mg tablets for oral administration. Meprobamate is also a component of the combination drug Equagesic (discontinued in the UK in 2002) acting as a muscle relaxant.

Meprobamate is also found as a component of the combination drug "Stopayne" capsules

Meprobamate DOJ.jpg

Overdose

Symptoms of meprobamate overdose include: drowsiness, sluggishness, unresponsiveness, or coma; loss of muscle control; severe impairment or cessation of breathing; or shock. Death has been reported with ingestion of as little as 12g of meprobamate and survival with as much as 40g. In an overdose, meprobamate tablets may form a gastric bezoar, requiring physical removal of the undissolved mass of tablets through an endoscope; therefore, administration of activated charcoal should be considered even after 4 or more hours or if levels are rising.

Health issues

Meprobamate is a Schedule IV drug (US) (S5 in South Africa) under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances. With protracted use it can cause physical dependence and a potentially life-threatening abstinence syndrome similar to that of barbiturates and alcohol.

An acute cerebral edema caused by a reaction to Equagesic, a combination of aspirin and meprobamate, is believed to have caused the death of Bruce Lee.

Chemistry

Meprobamate, 2-methyl-2-propyl-1,3-propandiol dicarbamate is synthesized by the reaction of 2-methylvaleraldehyde with two molecules of formaldehyde and the subsequent transformation of the resulting 2-methyl-2-propylpropan-1,3-diol into the dicarbamate via successive reactions with phosgene and ammonia. Meprobamate synthesis.png

  • F.M. Berger, B.J. Ludwig, U.S. Patent 2,724,720 (1955).
  • F.A. Fries, K. Moenkemeyer, CH 373026  (1963).
  • Ludwig, B. J.; Piech, E. C. (1951). "Some Anticonvulsant Agents Derived from 1,3-Propanediols". Journal of the American Chemical Society 73: 5779. doi:10.1021/ja01156a086.  edit

References

  1. ^ Tone, Andrea (2009). "The Fashionable Pill". The Age of Anxiety: A History of America's Turbulent Affair with Tranquilizers. New York: Basic Books. ISBN 9780465086580. 
  2. ^ Berger FM. (1947). "Mode of Action of Myanesin.". Br J Pharmacol. 2 (4): 241–250. 
  3. ^ Ludwig BJ, Piech E. (1951). "Some anticonvulsant agents derived from 1, 3-propanediol.". J Am Chem Soc. 73 (12): 5779–5781. doi:10.1021/ja01156a086. 
  4. ^ New Hope Arises On Cancer Serum, New York Times, December 28, 1955, Page 21.
  5. ^ Author unknown (1956-04-01). "ALCOHOLIC PERIL FOUND IN DRUGS; Some Tranquilizing Therapy May Be Habit-Forming, Physicians Tell Parley". New York Times. p. 28. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00910F83F5F157A93C3A9178FD85F428585F9. Retrieved 2009-01-23. 
  6. ^ Dokoupil, Tony (2009-01-22). "How Mother Found Her Helper". Newsweek. http://www.newsweek.com/id/180998. Retrieved 2009-01-23. 
  7. ^ Carey, Benedict (2008-03-21). "Frank Berger, 94, Miltown Creator, Dies - New York Times". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/21/health/research/21berger.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink. Retrieved 2009-02-01. 
  8. ^ "'BEHAVIOR' DRUGS NOW ENVISIONED; Aldous Huxley Predicts They Will Bring Re-Examining of Ethics and Religion". New York Times. 1956-10-19. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10C15FD395916738FDDA00994D8415B8689F1D3. Retrieved 2009-02-01. 
  9. ^ Ranzal, Edward (1960-1-28). "TRUST SUIT NAMES 2 DRUG CONCERNS; Makers of Tranquilizers Are Accused". New York Times. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB091EF83A5C16738DDDA10A94D9405B808AF1D3. Retrieved 2009-02-01. 
  10. ^ "MILTOWN OFF LIST OF TRANQUILIZERS; But It Will Continue to Be Used as a Sedative". New York Times. 1965-4-22. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10A1EFD345C147A93C0AB178FD85F418685F9. Retrieved 2009-02-01. 
  11. ^ "Tranquilizer Is Put Under U.S. Curbs; Side-Effects Noted". New York Times. 1967-12-6. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F6081FFD3A5B1A7B93C4A91789D95F438685F9. Retrieved 2009-02-01. 
  12. ^ Rho JM, Donevan SD, Rogawski MA (March 1997). "Barbiturate-like actions of the propanediol dicarbamates felbamate and meprobamate". J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 280 (3): 1383–91. PMID 9067327. http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=9067327. 
  13. ^ Rho JM, Donevan SD, Rogawski MA (March 1997). "Barbiturate-like actions of the propanediol dicarbamates felbamate and meprobamate". J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 280 (3): 1383–91. PMID 9067327. 
  14. ^ Phillis JW, Delong RE. (1984). "A purinergic component in the central actions of meprobamate.". Eur J Pharmacol. 101 (3-4): 295–297. doi:10.1016/0014-2999(84)90174-2. PMID 6468504. 
  15. ^ DeLong RE, Phillis JW, Barraco RA. (1985). "A possible role of endogenous adenosine in the sedative action of meprobamate.". Eur J Pharmacol. 118 (3): 359–362. doi:10.1016/0014-2999(85)90149-9. PMID 4085561. 
  16. ^ Brunton, Laurence; John Lazo, Keith Parker (2005-10-28). Goodman And Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics (11 ed.). McGraw-Hill Professional. ISBN 0071422803. http://www.amazon.com/Goodman-Gilmans-Pharmacological-Basis-Therapeutics/dp/0071422803/. 

External links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Méprobamate — Général Nom IUPAC carbamate de 2 carbamoyloxyméthyl 2 méthylpentyle No CAS …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Meprobamate — Méprobamate Méprobamate Général No CAS …   Wikipédia en Français

  • méprobamate — ● méprobamate nom masculin Médicament employé comme tranquillisant léger. méprobamate [mepʀobamat] n. m. ÉTYM. V. 1970; de mé(thyl ), pro(pyl), et (dicar)bamate. ❖ ♦ Pharm. Tranquillisant qui favorise le relâchement musculaire et facilite l… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • meprobamate — ☆ meprobamate [mə prō′bə māt΄ ] n. [me(thyl) pro(pyl) (dicar)bamate] a bitter, white, crystalline powder, C9H18N2O4, used as a tranquilizer …   English World dictionary

  • meprobamate — /meuh proh beuh mayt , mep roh bam ayt/, n. Pharm. a white powder, C9H18N2O4, used in medicine chiefly as a tranquilizer for treating anxiety, tension, and skeletal muscle spasm. [1950 55; ME(THYL) + PRO(PYL) + (CAR)BAMATE] * * * ▪ drug… …   Universalium

  • meprobamate — noun Etymology: methyl + propyl + dicarbamate Date: 1955 a bitter carbamate C9H18N2O4 used as a tranquilizer …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • meprobamate — noun A carbamate derivative used as an anxiolytic drug …   Wiktionary

  • meprobamate — A skeletal muscle relaxant with action similar to that produced by mephenesin but of longer duration; used in the management of certain disorders associated with abnormal motor activity, as a mild hypnotic, and as an antianxiety …   Medical dictionary

  • meprobamate — n. chemical compound in the form of white powder which often used in medicine as a tranquilizer (Pharmacology) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • meprobamate — me·pro·ba·mate …   English syllables

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”