Meprobamate Interacts with Several Common Medications — Here's What You Need to Know

When you take more than one medication at the same time, there's always a chance they'll interact. With Meprobamate — a central nervous system (CNS) depressant used for short-term anxiety relief — drug interactions can be especially serious because they can amplify sedation to dangerous levels.

This guide covers the major and moderate drug interactions for Meprobamate, supplements and OTC products to watch out for, food and drink interactions, and what information your doctor needs to keep you safe.

How Drug Interactions Work

A drug interaction happens when one substance changes how another substance works in your body. With Meprobamate, the most concerning interactions are additive — meaning the combined effect of two CNS depressants is greater than either one alone. This can lead to excessive sedation, dangerously slowed breathing, and in severe cases, coma or death.

Interactions can also affect how your body processes (metabolizes) Meprobamate, causing it to build up to higher-than-intended levels or be cleared too quickly.

Medications That Interact with Meprobamate

Major Interactions (Avoid Combining)

These combinations significantly increase the risk of severe CNS depression, respiratory failure, or overdose:

• Alcohol — This is the most dangerous interaction. Alcohol and Meprobamate together dramatically increase CNS depression. Even small amounts of alcohol can cause extreme drowsiness, loss of coordination, slowed breathing, and potentially fatal overdose. Do not drink any alcohol while taking Meprobamate.
• Opioids — Medications like Oxycodone (OxyContin), Hydrocodone (Vicodin), Morphine, Fentanyl, Codeine, and Tramadol. Combining opioids with Meprobamate creates additive respiratory depression and sedation, which can be life-threatening.
• Benzodiazepines — Lorazepam (Ativan), Alprazolam (Xanax), Diazepam (Valium), Clonazepam (Klonopin). Both are CNS depressants; combining them intensifies sedation and increases the risk of overdose.
• Barbiturates — Phenobarbital, Butalbital (found in Fioricet), Secobarbital. Barbiturates and Meprobamate have similar mechanisms, and their combined effect on the CNS can be severe.

Moderate Interactions (Use with Caution)

These combinations require careful monitoring by your doctor:

• Other CNS depressants — This includes sedating antihistamines like Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), Doxylamine (Unisom), and Hydroxyzine (Vistaril). Also includes antipsychotics like Quetiapine (Seroquel) and sleep aids like Zolpidem (Ambien) and Eszopiclone (Lunesta).
• MAO inhibitors — Phenelzine (Nardil), Tranylcypromine (Parnate), Selegiline (Emsam). MAOIs can enhance the sedative effects of Meprobamate.
• Anticonvulsants — Medications like Phenytoin (Dilantin), Carbamazepine (Tegretol), and Valproic Acid (Depakote) may interact by altering seizure thresholds or affecting how either drug is metabolized.
• Muscle relaxants — Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), Tizanidine (Zanaflex), and especially Carisoprodol (Soma). Note: Carisoprodol is actually converted to Meprobamate in your body, so taking both is essentially doubling your Meprobamate dose.

Supplements and OTC Products to Watch

Over-the-counter products and supplements can also interact with Meprobamate:

• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) — A sedating antihistamine found in many allergy and sleep products. Adds to CNS depression.
• Doxylamine — Found in NyQuil and Unisom. Same risk as Diphenhydramine.
• Melatonin — While generally safer, combining melatonin with Meprobamate may increase drowsiness.
• Valerian root — An herbal supplement with sedative properties that can add to Meprobamate's effects.
• Kava — Another herbal sedative that may increase CNS depression and also carries its own liver toxicity risks.
• CBD products — CBD may enhance the sedative effects of CNS depressants like Meprobamate.

Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about all supplements, vitamins, and OTC products you use — even ones that seem harmless.

Food and Drink Interactions

The biggest food-related concern with Meprobamate is simple: alcohol. This includes:

• Beer, wine, and liquor
• Alcohol-containing cough syrups and mouthwashes
• Foods cooked with significant amounts of alcohol

Beyond alcohol, there are no major food interactions with Meprobamate. It can be taken with or without food. However, grapefruit juice has been known to affect the metabolism of various medications — while there's no specific documented interaction with Meprobamate, it's worth mentioning to your pharmacist if you drink it regularly.

What to Tell Your Doctor

Before starting Meprobamate — or if you're already taking it and starting something new — give your doctor a complete picture:

• All prescription medications you take, including the dose and frequency
• All OTC medications, including pain relievers, allergy pills, and sleep aids
• All supplements and herbal products
• Your alcohol use — be honest about how much and how often
• Any recreational substances — your doctor needs this information for your safety, not to judge you
• Whether you take Carisoprodol (Soma) — since Carisoprodol converts to Meprobamate in your body, taking both could result in a dangerous dose

Your pharmacist is also a valuable resource. They can run an interaction check every time you fill a prescription. Don't hesitate to ask them about potential interactions.

Final Thoughts

Meprobamate's most dangerous interactions all follow the same pattern: combining it with other substances that slow down the brain and nervous system. Alcohol, Opioids, Benzodiazepines, and Barbiturates are the biggest risks. Even common OTC products like Benadryl can add up.

The safest approach is to keep your doctor and pharmacist fully informed about everything you take. If you're looking for more information about Meprobamate, check out our guides on side effects, how it works, and how to save money on your prescription. Use Medfinder to find a pharmacy near you that has Meprobamate in stock.