Details

Primidone is an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anticonvulsant. Primidone is used to control seizures. You should not use this medication if you are allergic to primidone or if you have porphyria. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. If you are taking primidone to prevent seizures, keep taking the medication even if you feel fine. You may have an increase in seizures if you stop taking primidone. To be sure this medication is helping your condition your blood may need to be tested on a regular basis.

Typical Uses

Primidone is used alone or with other medications to control seizures. Controlling and reducing seizures lets you do more of your normal daily activities, reduces your risk of harm when you lose consciousness, and lessens your risk for a possibly life-threatening condition of frequent, repeated seizures. Primidone belongs to a class of drugs known as barbiturate anticonvulsants. It works by controlling the abnormal electrical activity in the brain that occurs during a seizure.

Side Effects

Primidone side effects may include slurred speech loss of balance or coordination easy bruising or bleeding or unusual weakness. Inform your doctor about any worsening symptoms such as mood or behaviour changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel agitated, hostile, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Drug Interactions

• Primidone+propoxyphene- Using propoxyphene together with primidone may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should take propoxyphene exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
• Primidone+bosutinib- Primidone can significantly reduce the blood levels of bosutinib, which may make the medication less effective in treating your condition. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Primidone+ceritinib- Primidone can significantly reduce the blood levels of ceritinib, which may make the medication less effective in treating your condition. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Primidone+dicumarol- Primidone can reduce the blood levels of dicumarol, which may make the medication less effective in preventing blood clots. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Primidone+fentanyl- Primidone may reduce the blood levels of fentanyl, which may make the medication less effective in treating your pain. Additionally, if you have been receiving treatment with fentanyl, adding primidone may cause you to experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, yawning, excessive sweating, goose bumps, fever, chills, flushing, restlessness, irritability, anxiety, depression, pupil dilation, tremor, rapid heartbeat, body aches, involuntary twitching and kicking, abdominal cramping, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and weight loss.

Mechanism of action

Primidone is a GABA receptor agonist. The mechanism of Primidone's antiepileptic action is not known.

Pregnancy Category : D