Primidone
Description
Primidone is an anticonvulsant medicine which is used alone or in combination with other medicines to control seizures. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without informing your doctor as it may cause withdrawal symptoms like seizures.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Primidone
- Shakiness or unsteady walking
- Restlessness
- Chills and fever
- Lower back or side pain
- Pale skin
- Difficult or painful urination
- Shortness of breath
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Dizziness
- Vision disturbances
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Skin rash
Uses of Primidone
What is it prescribed for?
- Seizures
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while taking this medicine as it may increase the risk of severe adverse effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, etc. Avoid performing activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if alcohol and this medicine are used together.
- Is it habit forming?Habit forming tendencies have been reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to primidone, phenobarbital or any other inactive ingredients present along with this medicine.
Porphyria
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of porphyria (a disorder that results from the accumulation of porphyrins in the body) due to an increase in the risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Drug dependance and drug abuse
This medicine has the potential to cause drug dependence and abuse. This risk is especially higher if the medicine is used for a prolonged period of time. Patients should be monitored closely for any change in mood and behavior during treatment with this medicine. Abrupt discontinuation is not recommended since it may cause withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal of therapy should be done gradually with close monitoring of the patient.
Suicidal thinking and behaviour
This medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of suicidal tendencies. Patients should be closely monitored for any change in mood or behavior. Report any such incidence to the doctor so that counseling and monitoring of progress can be performed at regular intervals. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Kidney impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from kidney diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of kidney function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Liver impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from liver diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of liver function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Lung impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from lung impairment due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of lung function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Driving and operating machinery
Use of this medicine may cause blurred vision, drowsiness, or dizziness in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.
Withdrawal symptoms
Abrupt discontinuation of this medicine may increase the risk of adverse effects, especially if you have been using a high dose for a long duration. It may precipitate the status epilepticus in patients with a known history of epilepsy. A gradual dose reduction is recommended to avoid these reactions. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Adrenal insufficiency
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with adrenal insufficiency due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of the clinical condition, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Paradoxical reactions
This medicine may cause paradoxical reactions such as excitability, restlessness, etc. in some patients.
Close monitoring of the clinical condition, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Missed Dose
The missed dose should be taken as soon as possible. It is advisable to skip the missed dose if it is already time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while taking this medicine as it may increase the risk of severe adverse effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, etc. Avoid performing activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if alcohol and this medicine are used together.
Interaction with Medicine
Quetiapine
Buspirone
Amlodipine
Codeine
Amiodarone
Warfarin
Disease interactions
Respiratory Depression
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with respiratory depression due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Renal Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of kidney function tests, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Liver Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of liver function tests, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Depression
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with depression due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take this medicine exactly as instructed by the doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts than prescribed. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of any severe side effects. Ensure that the course of treatment is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by decreasing the abnormal electrical activity in the brain by inhibiting the repetitive firing of neurons.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Barbiturate anticonvulsants
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Fda.gov. 2018 [cited 12 September 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2018 [cited 12 September 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 12 September 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2018 [cited 12 September 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Mhra.gov.uk. 2018 [cited 12 September 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 12 Mar 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.