What is "emylcamate"

n. A particular drug used to reduce anxiety and relax muscles.

Emylcamate (marketed as Striatran by Merck) is an anxiolytic and muscle relaxant. It was patented in the US in 1961 (US Patent 2,972,564) and advertised for the treatment of anxiety and tension. It was claimed to be superior to meprobamate, which was the market leader at the time. It is no longer prescribed.

A study of the drug's effects in mice was done in 1959. It concluded that at 50 mg/kg emylcamate gave a 63% decrease in motor activity compared to meprobamate's 32% decrease, a doubling in effective potency. The therapeutic index in mice was also established:

Meprobamate

Emylcamate

Effect

175

123

ED (mg/kg)

600

550

LD (mg/kg)

3.4

4.4

Therapeutic index

Emylcamate also has a faster intra-parenteral onset then meprobabamate, 3 minutes compared to 35.