Meprobamate Overdosage: Evaluation of Its Severity and Methods of Treatment

Meprobamate intoxication is encountered frequently but is seldom a treatment problem. The relatively short duration of coma and low mortality are due to rapid endogenous metabolism of the drug. In most cases, only supportive therapy is needed. However, when intoxication is severe or is complicated by intercurrent illness or other drugs, treatment with forced diuresis or hemodialysis should be considered. In our experience, the best criteria of profound intoxication were the clinical state of the patient and a plasma meprobamate concentration approaching 20 mg/100 ml.