Primidone

Generic name: Primidone

Drug class: Barbiturate anticonvulsants

Dosage forms: Tablet

Root of administration: Oral

Dose: 50, 125, 250 mg

Mechanism of action: Primidone is an anticonvulsant medication primarily used in the treatment of seizures, including generalized tonic-clonic seizures and focal seizures.

Drug usage cases: Epilepsy: Primidone is commonly prescribed as an antiepileptic medication. It is used as a first-line treatment, particularly for generalized tonic-clonic seizures and focal seizures. It can be used as monotherapy (as the sole medication) or in combination with other antiepileptic drugs to control seizures and reduce their frequency and severity. Essential Tremor: Primidone is also utilized in the management of essential tremor, a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary and rhythmic shaking of certain body parts, such as the hands. It is considered one of the first-line treatments for essential tremor and can help reduce tremor severity and improve functional abilities. Off-Label Uses: Primidone may be prescribed off-label for other conditions such as certain types of movement disorders, including myoclonus (sudden, brief muscle jerks) and other types of tremors.

Drug contra indications: You should not use primidone if you have:

an allergy to phenobarbital; or porphyria (a genetic disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system). Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

depression; a mood disorder; or suicidal thoughts or actions. Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking seizure medicine. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your family or caregivers should also watch for sudden changes in your behavior.

Side effects: Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling). Tell your doctor right away if you have new or sudden changes in mood or behavior, including new or worse depression or anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, more active or talkative, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself. Primidone may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

extreme drowsiness, falling asleep suddenly, even after feeling alert; or signs of infection–fever, swollen glands, shortness of breath, chills, sore throat, body aches, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, bruising or bleeding.

Warnings: Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking seizure medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you have any sudden changes in mood or behavior, or thoughts about suicide. Seizures may increase if you stop using primidone suddenly. Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine.

Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: Do not start or stop seizure medication during pregnancy without your doctor’s advice. Having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant. If you take primidone during pregnancy, be sure to tell the doctor who delivers your baby. Both you and the baby may need medication to prevent bleeding during delivery and just after birth. If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of primidone on the baby. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. If you are breastfeeding, tell your doctor if you notice drowsiness in the nursing baby.