Primidone: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

Functions & Usage

What is Primidone used for?

Primidone is a medication to control seizure symptoms to make you more able to carry out normal daily activities, reduce the risk of harm when you pass out, and reduce the risk of recurrent, life-threatening seizure conditions.

Primidone can be used alone or with other medicines to control seizures.

Primidone belongs to the class of barbiturate anticonvulsants. This drug works by controlling the abnormal electrical activity in the brain that occurs during seizures.

How do you use Primidone?

Take this medication with or without food, usually 3-4 times a day or as directed by your doctor. Take the medicine with food or milk if your stomach hurts. Your doctor may have you start taking this medication at a low dose at bedtime and slowly increase the dose to prevent side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness. If you change from a different anticonvulsant to primidone, your doctor may tell you to continue taking the old medication and slowly reduce the dose when you started taking primidone. Follow the doctor's instructions carefully.

Dosage is based on medical conditions, blood levels of primidone, use of other drugs to treat seizures, and response to treatment. It may take several weeks for the best dose to arrive for you.

This drug works best when the amount of drug in the body is kept at a consistent level. Hence, take this drug at regular intervals. To help you remember, drink it at the same time every day.

Do not stop taking this drug (and other anti-convulsive drugs) without consulting your doctor. The seizures may worsen or cause very severe seizures that are difficult to treat (status epilepticus) if the medicine suddenly stops taking them.

This medicine may cause a withdrawal reaction, especially if it has been used regularly for long periods or at high doses. In this case, withdrawal symptoms (eg anxiety, hallucinations, seizures, difficulty sleeping) may appear if you suddenly stop using this medicine. Withdrawal from primidone can be severe and includes seizures and (rarely) death. To prevent withdrawal reactions, the doctor may reduce the dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report an immediate withdrawal reaction. Together with the benefits, this drug may rarely be addictive. This risk may increase if you have been addicted to alcohol or drugs in the past. Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor to reduce the risk of addiction.

Tell the doctor if seizure control gets worse (for example, the number of seizures increases)

How do I store Primidone?

Store the medicine at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom and freeze medication. Medicines under different brands may have different storage methods. Check the product box for instructions on how to store it, or ask the pharmacist. Stay away from children and pets.

It is forbidden to flush the medicine in the toilet or throw it into the drain if not told to. Properly discard this product if it is past the deadline or is no longer needed. Consult a pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more in-depth details on how to safely dispose of the product.

Precautions & Warnings

What should be considered before using Primidone drugs?

Before deciding to use a drug, the risks of the drug must be weighed against its benefits. It is a decision you and your doctor will make. For Primidone, the following should be considered:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have had any unusual or allergic reactions to Primidone or any other medicines. Also, tell your healthcare professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as food, coloring, preservatives, or animals. For over-the-counter products, read labels or packaging materials carefully.

Children

There is no information describing the relationship between age and the effects of primidone in pediatric patients.

Elderly

Unusual joy or anxiety may occur in the elderly, who are usually more sensitive than young adults to the effects of these primidones.

Is Primidone safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This medicine is in a pregnancy risk category D (positive evidence for risk).

Side effects

What are the possible Primidone side effects?

Get emergency medical help if you experience signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Contact your doctor immediately if new or worsening symptoms occur, such as: changes in mood or habits, depression, anxiety, or irritability, restlessness, hyperactivity (mentally or physically), or thinking about ending your life or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor right away if you experience the following serious side effects:

• Lisp
• Loss of balance or coordination
• Bruising or bleeding easily
• Unusual limp

Milder side effects may include:

• Dizziness, drowsiness, spinning sensation
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
• Easy to get angry
• Blurry vision
• Mild rash
• Impotence, loss of sex drive

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug Interactions

What drugs can interfere with the action of Primidone drugs?

Using this medication with the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this drug or change some of the drugs you take.

• Amifampridine
• Artemether
• Atazanavir
• Boceprevir
• Cobicistat
• Daclatasvir
• Darunavir
• Delamanid
• Delavirdine
• Lopinavir
• Lumefantrine
• Lurasidone
• Maraviroc
• Nisoldipine
• Rilpivirine
• Ritonavir
• Telaprevir
• Tipranavir
• Voriconazole

Using this medication with the medicines below is usually not recommended, but may be needed in some cases. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or the length of time you take one or both drugs.

• Abiraterone Acetate
• Adinazolam
• Afatinib
• Alfentanil
• Alprazolam
• Amiodarone
• Amlodipine
• Amobarbital
• Amprenavir
• Anisindione
• Apixaban
• Apremilast
• Aprepitant
• Aprobarbital
• Aripiprazole
• Astemizole
• Atorvastatin
• Bedaquiline
• Bosutinib
• Brentuximab Vedotin
• Bromazepam
• Bromocriptine
• Brotizolam
• Budesonide
• Buprenorphine
• Buspirone
• Butabarbital
• Butalbital
• Cabazitaxel
• Cabozantinib
• Carbamazepine
• Carisoprodol
• Ceritinib
• Chloral Hydrate
• Chlordiazepoxide
• Chlorzoxazone
• Cilostazol
• Cisapride
• Citalopram
• Clarithromycin
• Clobazam
• Clonazepam
• Clorazepate
• Conivaptan
• Crizotinib
• Cyclosporine
• Dabigatran Etexilate
• Dabrafenib
• Dantrolene
• Darifenacin
• Dasatinib
• Dexamethasone
• Diazepam
• Dicumarol
• Dihydroergotamine
• Docetaxel
• Dolutegravir
• Dronedarone
• Dutasteride
• Eletriptan
• Eliglustat
• Elvitegravir
• Enzalutamide
• Eplerenone
• Ergotamine
• Erlotinib
• Erythromycin
• Eslicarbazepine Acetate
• Estazolam
• Estradiol
• Ethchlorvynol
• Everolimus
• Exemestane
• Felodipine
• Fentanyl
• Flunitrazepam
• Flurazepam
• Fluticasone
• Halazepam
• Haloperidol
• Ibrutinib
• Idelalisib
• Iloperidone
• Imatinib
• Indacaterol
• Indinavir
• Itraconazole
• Ivabradine
• Ketazolam
• Ketoconazole
• Ledipasvir
• Lorazepam
• Lormetazepam
• Losartan
• Lovastatin
• Macitentan
• Medazepam
• Mephenesin
• Mephobarbital
• Meprobamate
• Metaxalone
• Methocarbamol
• Methohexital
• Midazolam
• Morphine
• Morphine Sulfate Liposome
• Nateglinide
• Nelfinavir
• Netupitant
• Nifedipine
• Nilotinib
• Nintedanib
• Nitrazepam
• Nordazepam
• Ondansetron
• Orlistat
• Oxazepam
• Oxymorphone
• Paclitaxel
• Pazopanib
• Pentobarbital
• Perampanel
• Phenindione
• Phenobarbital
• Phenprocoumon
• Pimozide
• Piperaquine
• Pixantrone
• Pomalidomide
• Ponatinib
• Prazepam
• Primidone
• Propafenone
• Quazepam
• Quetiapine
• Quinidine
• Quinine
• Regorafenib
• Rifabutin
• Rivaroxaban
• Roflumilast
• Romidepsin
• Salmeterol
• Saquinavir
• Saxagliptin
• Secobarbital
• Sildenafil
• Simeprevir
• Simvastatin
• Sirolimus
• Sodium Oxybate
• Sofosbuvir
• Sorafenib
• Sunitinib
• Suvorexant
• Tacrolimus
• Tamoxifen
• Tamsulosin
• Tapentadol
• Tasimelteon
• Telithromycin
• Temazepam
• Temsirolimus
• Terfenadine
• Thiopental
• Ticagrelor
• Tofacitinib
• Tolvaptan
• Trabectedin
• Tramadol
• Trazodone
• Triazolam
• Ulipristal Acetate
• Valproic Acid
• Vandetanib
• Vardenafil
• Vemurafenib
• Verapamil
• Vilazodone
• Vincristine Sulfate
• Vincristine Sulfate Liposome
• Vinflunine
• Vorapaxar
• Vortioxetine
• Zaleplon
• Zileuton
• Ziprasidone
• Zolpidem

Using this medication with any of the following medicines may increase your risk of side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or the length of time you take one or both drugs.

• Betamethasone
• Cannabis
• Carbamazepine
• Cortisone
• Desogestrel
• Dienogest
• Drospirenone
• Estradiol Cypionate
• Estradiol Valerate
• Ethinyl Estradiol
• Ethynodiol Diacetate
• Etonogestrel
• Ginkgo
• Hydrocortisone
• Lamotrigine
• Leucovorin
• Levonorgestrel
• Medroxyprogesterone Acetate
• Mestranol
• Methylprednisolone
• Norelgestromin
• Norethindrone
• Norgestimate
• Norgestrel
• Ospemifene
• Prednisolone
• Prednisone
• Rufinamide
• Tiagabine
• Triamcinolone
• Warfarin

Can certain foods and drinks interfere with the work of Primidone drugs?

Certain drugs cannot be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. The interactions below have been selected based on their significant potential and are not necessarily all inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the drugs below might increase the risk of certain side effects but may not be avoided in some cases. If used at the same time, your doctor may change the dose or length of time you use this medication, or give specific instructions about food, alcohol, or tobacco.

What health conditions can interfere with the performance of the drug Primidone?

The presence of other medical disorders may affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Asthma, emphysema, or chronic lung disease - primidone may cause serious respiratory problems.
• Depression, history
• Hyperactivity (in children)
• Kidney illness
• Liver disease - primidone might make the condition worse
• Porphyria (enzyme breakdown) - should not be used in patients with this condition

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for a doctor's prescription. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of Primidone for adults?

Usual adult dose for seizures

Days 1-3: 100-125 mg orally at bedtime

4-6: 100-125 mg orally twice a day

7-9: 100-125 mg orally three times a day

10th day onwards: 250 mg orally 3-4 times a day, increase to 5-6 times a day if necessary, not to exceed 500 mg 4 times a day (2 g / day).

What is the dosage of Primidone for children?

Usual children's dose for seizures

Neonatal: 12-20 mg / kg / day in 2-4 separate doses, starting with lower doses and increasing

Initial dose: 50-125 mg / day at bedtime and add 50-125 mg / day every 3-7 days

Rule of dosage: 10-25 mg / kg / day in 3-4 separate doses

Initial dose: 125-250 mg / day at bedtime and add 125-250 mg / day every 3-7 days

Rule dosage: 750-1500 mg / day in 3-4 separate doses

Maximum dose: 2 g / day

In what dosages and preparations is Primidone available?

Tablets: 50 mg, 250 mg

What to do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (118/119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I forget to take medicine or forget to take medicine?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment.