Meprobamate MCQs With Answer

Meprobamate MCQs With Answer offers B. Pharm students a focused, exam-oriented way to master this classic sedative‑anxiolytic. This set covers meprobamate’s pharmacology, mechanism of action, therapeutic uses, adverse effects, pharmacokinetics, interactions, toxicity management, and formulation considerations. Designed for pharmacy coursework and competitive exams, the questions emphasize clinical relevance, drug interactions with alcohol and CNS depressants, dependence and withdrawal, and assay techniques like HPLC and GC‑MS. Each MCQ reinforces key points about dosing cautions, geriatric and pediatric considerations, and regulatory status. The concise explanations will boost retention and practical understanding for prescriptions and safe dispensing. ‘Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.’

Q1. What chemical class does meprobamate belong to?

• Carbamate derivative
• Benzodiazepine
• Barbiturate
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

Correct Answer: Carbamate derivative

Q2. What is the primary therapeutic use of meprobamate?

• Antidepressant
• Anxiolytic and sedative
• Antipsychotic
• Anticonvulsant maintenance therapy

Correct Answer: Anxiolytic and sedative

Q3. Which best describes meprobamate’s main mechanism of action?

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibition
• NMDA receptor antagonism
• Positive allosteric modulation of GABA-A receptors
• Alpha-2 adrenergic agonism

Correct Answer: Positive allosteric modulation of GABA-A receptors

Q4. Compared with benzodiazepines, meprobamate is associated with:

• Lower risk of dependence
• Higher specificity for anxiolysis only
• Greater potential for dependence and withdrawal
• No central nervous system effects

Correct Answer: Greater potential for dependence and withdrawal

Q5. The primary route of elimination for meprobamate metabolites is:

• Renal excretion
• Biliary excretion unchanged
• Exhalation via lungs
• Transdermal loss

Correct Answer: Renal excretion

Q6. Which organ is mainly responsible for meprobamate metabolism?

• Heart
• Liver
• Skin
• Pancreas

Correct Answer: Liver

Q7. A key clinical adverse effect of meprobamate is:

• Hyperactivity and euphoria
• Drowsiness and ataxia
• Brisk deep tendon reflexes
• Profound hypertension

Correct Answer: Drowsiness and ataxia

Q8. Meprobamate should be used with caution or avoided in patients with:

• Severe respiratory depression
• Mild seasonal allergies
• Uncomplicated hyperthyroidism
• Well-controlled hypertension

Correct Answer: Severe respiratory depression

Q9. Which of the following increases the CNS depressant effects of meprobamate?

• Concurrent alcohol use
• Vitamin C supplementation
• Oral contraceptives
• Topical emollients

Correct Answer: Concurrent alcohol use

Q10. In case of acute oral overdose, the initial management priority is:

• Immediate dialysis without assessment
• Supportive care with airway and breathing management
• Give activated charcoal without monitoring
• Administer naloxone as the specific antidote

Correct Answer: Supportive care with airway and breathing management

Q11. Is there a specific antidote for meprobamate toxicity?

• Yes, flumazenil is the antidote
• Yes, naloxone is the antidote
• No specific antidote; treatment is supportive
• Yes, physostigmine neutralizes effects

Correct Answer: No specific antidote; treatment is supportive

Q12. Chronic therapeutic use of meprobamate commonly leads to:

• Tolerance and dependence
• Permanent immunity to sedatives
• Improved metabolic rate
• Increased hematopoiesis

Correct Answer: Tolerance and dependence

Q13. Typical withdrawal symptoms after abrupt cessation include:

• Hypersomnolence without agitation
• Insomnia, anxiety, tremors, and possible seizures
• Enhanced cognitive function
• Increased appetite and weight gain only

Correct Answer: Insomnia, anxiety, tremors, and possible seizures

Q14. Meprobamate’s regulatory classification in many countries (e.g., US) is:

• Uncontrolled over-the-counter medication
• Schedule IV controlled substance
• Schedule I illegal substance
• Herbal supplement

Correct Answer: Schedule IV controlled substance

Q15. Which class of drugs largely replaced meprobamate due to improved safety?

• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Benzodiazepines
• Atypical antipsychotics
• Beta blockers

Correct Answer: Benzodiazepines

Q16. Meprobamate produces CNS depression most similarly to which class?

• Anticholinergics
• Barbiturates
• Stimulants
• SSRIs

Correct Answer: Barbiturates

Q17. Which monitoring parameter is most important during long-term therapy?

• Periodic assessment for dependence and daytime sedation
• Regular measurement of fasting glucose weekly
• Frequent lipid profile monitoring monthly
• Daily ECG monitoring permanently

Correct Answer: Periodic assessment for dependence and daytime sedation

Q18. Meprobamate is available commonly in which formulation for oral use?

• Injectable solution only
• Oral tablets
• Topical cream
• Nasal spray

Correct Answer: Oral tablets

Q19. Analytical techniques commonly used to quantify meprobamate in biological samples include:

• HPLC and GC-MS
• ELISA for peptide hormones
• Imaging by MRI
• Urine dipstick for glucose

Correct Answer: HPLC and GC-MS

Q20. Which patient population requires extra caution due to increased sensitivity to meprobamate?

• Young healthy adults
• Geriatric patients
• Athletes in training
• Patients with seasonal allergies

Correct Answer: Geriatric patients

Q21. A key counseling point for patients starting meprobamate is:

• It improves driving ability
• Avoid driving or operating machinery until effects are known
• Do not drink water with the tablet
• Use with herbal stimulants to reduce drowsiness

Correct Answer: Avoid driving or operating machinery until effects are known

Q22. Meprobamate’s sedative effects are primarily due to enhancement of inhibitory neurotransmission by:

• Glycine exclusively in the spinal cord
• GABA in the central nervous system
• Glutamate via NMDA receptors
• Serotonin 5-HT3 antagonism

Correct Answer: GABA in the central nervous system

Q23. In patients with hepatic impairment, meprobamate therapy requires:

• No change in monitoring or dosing
• Discontinuation of all mendications
• Careful dose adjustment and monitoring
• Immediate switch to injectable therapy

Correct Answer: Careful dose adjustment and monitoring

Q24. Which of the following is NOT a common adverse effect of meprobamate?

• Ataxia
• Drowsiness
• Severe cholestatic liver injury as a common event
• Confusion in elderly patients

Correct Answer: Severe cholestatic liver injury as a common event

Q25. Combining meprobamate with opioids is hazardous because it can cause:

• Reduced analgesia only
• Marked enhancement of CNS and respiratory depression
• Selective increase in heart rate
• Neutralization of opioid effects

Correct Answer: Marked enhancement of CNS and respiratory depression

Q26. Which statement about meprobamate pharmacokinetics is correct?

• It is poorly absorbed orally and requires IV dosing
• It is well absorbed orally and distributes to the CNS
• It is not metabolized and is excreted unchanged in feces
• It is stored in bone tissue exclusively

Correct Answer: It is well absorbed orally and distributes to the CNS

Q27. Which laboratory specimens are useful for toxicological detection of meprobamate?

• Blood and urine samples
• Hair only
• Saliva only
• Stool exclusively

Correct Answer: Blood and urine samples

Q28. One reason meprobamate use has declined is:

• Superior safety and efficacy of older sedatives
• Discovery of effective nonpharmacologic treatments only
• Introduction of benzodiazepines with improved safety profiles
• Lack of any sedative effect

Correct Answer: Introduction of benzodiazepines with improved safety profiles

Q29. Which statement about meprobamate dependence is true?

• Dependence cannot occur with therapeutic use
• Physical dependence may develop with prolonged use
• Dependence is only psychological and not physical
• Dependence guarantees no withdrawal symptoms

Correct Answer: Physical dependence may develop with prolonged use

Q30. Meprobamate’s effect on seizure threshold is best described as:

• Consistently anticonvulsant at all doses
• Potential to lower seizure threshold during withdrawal
• Proconvulsant during therapeutic use only
• No relation to seizure activity

Correct Answer: Potential to lower seizure threshold during withdrawal

Q31. Common trade names historically associated with meprobamate include:

• Miltown and Equanil
• Luminal and Nembutal
• Xanax and Valium
• Zoloft and Prozac

Correct Answer: Miltown and Equanil

Q32. Which laboratory method provides definitive confirmation of meprobamate in forensic samples?

• Urine dipstick
• GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry)
• Plain light microscopy
• Blood pressure measurement

Correct Answer: GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry)

Q33. In elderly patients, meprobamate dosing should be:

• Higher than in young adults to ensure efficacy
• Started at lower doses with slow titration
• Unchanged regardless of age
• Avoided only when combined with vitamin supplements

Correct Answer: Started at lower doses with slow titration

Q34. Which sign is most indicative of acute meprobamate toxicity?

• Mild runny nose only
• Respiratory depression and reduced consciousness
• Rapid improvement in mental alertness
• Isolated rash without CNS effects

Correct Answer: Respiratory depression and reduced consciousness

Q35. For a patient with suspected meprobamate overdose presenting early, which decontamination step may be considered?

• Activated charcoal if within an appropriate time window
• Immediate whole-bowel irrigation for topical exposure
• Forced emesis in all cases
• No decontamination ever indicated

Correct Answer: Activated charcoal if within an appropriate time window

Q36. During tapering to avoid withdrawal, clinicians should generally:

• Stop abruptly after a single missed dose
• Taper dose gradually under supervision
• Replace with an over-the-counter stimulant abruptly
• Double the dose intermittently to prevent symptoms

Correct Answer: Taper dose gradually under supervision

Q37. Which pharmacological property contributes to meprobamate’s CNS penetration?

• High molecular weight and extreme polarity
• Lipophilicity enabling blood–brain barrier crossing
• Being a large peptide molecule
• Strong binding to plasma albumin preventing CNS entry

Correct Answer: Lipophilicity enabling blood–brain barrier crossing

Q38. Which patient history is a red flag before prescribing meprobamate?

• History of controlled asthma only
• Past substance use disorder or alcohol dependence
• Seasonal pollen allergy
• Mild myopia

Correct Answer: Past substance use disorder or alcohol dependence

Q39. Which best describes meprobamate’s role in modern pharmacotherapy?

• First-line anxiolytic in current guidelines
• Historically important but largely replaced by safer agents
• Commonly used as a stimulant alternative
• Used primarily as an antibiotic adjunct

Correct Answer: Historically important but largely replaced by safer agents

Q40. Which adverse effect warrants immediate discontinuation and medical review?

• Mild transient drowsiness on first dose
• Signs of severe allergic reaction or respiratory compromise
• Temporary reduction in appetite for one day
• Minor headache that improves

Correct Answer: Signs of severe allergic reaction or respiratory compromise

Q41. Which monitoring is useful in a patient on chronic meprobamate therapy?

• Assessment for daytime sedation, functional impairment, and dependence
• Daily EEG monitoring indefinitely
• Weekly bone density scans
• Hourly blood glucose checks

Correct Answer: Assessment for daytime sedation, functional impairment, and dependence

Q42. Meprobamate’s interaction with benzodiazepines is best described as:

• Antagonistic at the receptor level
• Potentially additive CNS depression
• Completely safe and recommended routinely
• Leading to increased alertness

Correct Answer: Potentially additive CNS depression

Q43. In drug formulation, stability data for meprobamate preparations typically advise:

• Store at controlled room temperature away from excessive humidity
• Freeze tablets for longer shelf life
• Expose to direct sunlight to activate the drug
• Store in open air to maintain potency

Correct Answer: Store at controlled room temperature away from excessive humidity

Q44. Which adverse neurological sign may indicate toxicity during an exam question scenario?

• Ataxia and nystagmus
• Improved reflexes and coordination
• Enhanced speech fluency
• Isolated mild hunger

Correct Answer: Ataxia and nystagmus

Q45. Which statement about meprobamate and pregnancy is most appropriate for counseling?

• It is a proven safe option in pregnancy for long-term use
• It should generally be avoided in pregnancy unless benefits justify risks
• It enhances fetal neurodevelopment and is recommended
• It has no transplacental passage and needs no caution

Correct Answer: It should generally be avoided in pregnancy unless benefits justify risks

Q46. Forensic detection of meprobamate impairment in drivers most reliably uses:

• Clinical assessment combined with blood drug levels and toxicology
• Only a breathalyzer test
• Visual inspection of clothing alone
• Assessment of hair color

Correct Answer: Clinical assessment combined with blood drug levels and toxicology

Q47. Which is an important differential when a patient presents with drowsiness from polypharmacy?

• Consider interaction between meprobamate and other CNS depressants
• Assume symptoms are psychosomatic only
• Ignore recent medication changes
• Attribute all effects to dietary changes alone

Correct Answer: Consider interaction between meprobamate and other CNS depressants

Q48. Which pharmacological effect does meprobamate share with muscle relaxants?

• Peripheral neuromuscular blockade at the NMJ
• Centrally mediated muscle relaxation
• Direct calcium channel block in skeletal muscle
• Stimulation of muscle spindles

Correct Answer: Centrally mediated muscle relaxation

Q49. A pharmacist advising a patient prescribed meprobamate should emphasize:

• Do not combine with alcohol or other sedatives and report excessive drowsiness
• You may safely combine with herbal sedatives to enhance effect
• Double doses if symptoms persist without consulting prescriber
• Store the medication in the bathroom cabinet exposed to steam

Correct Answer: Do not combine with alcohol or other sedatives and report excessive drowsiness

Q50. The most appropriate immediate action if a patient develops severe respiratory depression from meprobamate is:

• Provide airway support and call emergency services
• Give oral activated charcoal and send home
• Advise the patient to sleep it off and follow up next week
• Administer a laxative

Correct Answer: Provide airway support and call emergency services

G S Sachin

I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.

Mail- Sachin@pharmacyfreak.com