Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
Equagesic (meprobamate and aspirin) is a combination tranquilizer and analgesic used as an adjunct in the short-term treatment of pain accompanied by tension and/or anxiety in patients with musculoskeletal disease. The brand name Equagesic is discontinued, but generic versions may be available. Common side effects of Equagesic (meprobamate and aspirin) include:
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- unsteadiness
- headache
- excitement
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- heartburn
- hives
- rash
- swelling
- ringing in the ears
- slurred speech
- spinning sensation (vertigo)
- weakness
- euphoria
- palpitations
- rapid heart rate
- irregular heartbeat, and
- lightheadedness
The usual dosage of Equagesic is one or two tablets, each tablet containing meprobamate, 200 mg, and aspirin, 325 mg, orally 3 to 4 times daily as needed for the relief of pain when tension or anxiety is present. Equagesic may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Equagesic is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or become pregnant during treatment. This drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you suddenly stop taking this medication.
Our Equagesic (meprobamate and aspirin) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
SLIDESHOW
Back Pain: 16 Back Pain Truths and Myths See SlideshowSIDE EFFECTS
Aspirin may cause epigastric discomfort, nausea, and vomiting. Hypersensitivity reactions, including urticaria, angioneurotic edema, purpura, asthma, and anaphylaxis, may rarely occur. Patients receiving large doses of salicylates may develop tinnitus.
MEPROBAMATE
Drowsiness, ataxia, dizziness, slurred speech, headache, vertigo, weakness, paresthesias, impairment of visual accommodation, euphoria, overstimulation, paradoxical excitement, fast EEG activity.
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
Palpitation, tachycardia, various forms of arrhythmia, transient ECG changes, syncope, hypotensive crisis.
Allergic or Idiosyncratic
Milder reactions are characterized by an itchy, urticarial, or erythematous maculopapular rash which may be generalized or confined to the groin.
Other reactions have included leukopenia, acute nonthrombocytopenic purpura, petechiae, ecchymoses, eosinophilia, peripheral edema, adenopathy, fever, fixed-drug eruption with cross-reaction to carisoprodol, and cross-sensitivity between meprobamate/mebutamate and meprobamate/carbromal.
More severe hypersensitivity reactions, rarely reported, include hyperpyrexia, chills, angioneurotic edema, bronchospasm, oliguria, and anuria. Also, anaphylaxis, exfoliative dermatitis, stomatitis, and proctitis. Stevens-Johnson syndrome and bullous dermatitis have occurred.
Hematologic (see also Allergic or Idiosyncratic section above)
Agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia have been reported, although n o causal relationship has been established, and thrombocytopenic purpura.
Other
Exacerbation of porphyric symptoms.
Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Equagesic (Meprobamate and Aspirin)
