Primidone, Mysoline
Primidone (PRI mi done) is a generic medication prescribed for certain types of seizures in adults and children. Primidone belongs to a group of drugs called anticonvulsants.
Primidone (PRI mi done) is a generic medication prescribed for certain types of seizures in adults and children. Primidone belongs to a group of drugs called anticonvulsants.
- Generic
- • Tablet
- • 50mg
- • 30 Tablets
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- Retailer Name3.5 mi
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Melissa Badowski, PharmD, MPH, FCCP
Updated on August 29, 2023
Primidone (PRI mi done) is a generic medication prescribed for certain types of seizures in adults and children. Primidone belongs to a group of drugs called anticonvulsants.
Side effects
Side effects of primidone
Primidone may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of primidone and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.
To learn more about primidone’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for primidone listed in the “Resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with primidone are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about primidone’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for primidone listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects bother you, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Primidone oral tablet’s mild side effects include:
- fatigue (low energy)
- nausea or vomiting
- difficulty with muscle coordination and control
- vertigo (feelings of spinning, swaying, or dizziness)
- mild allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for primidone” section.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of primidone are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about primidone’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for primidone listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
In general, primidone’s serious side effects include:
- low red or white blood cell counts
- suicidal thoughts or actions
- severe allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for primidone” section.
Suicide prevention
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
- Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
- Text HOME to the Crisis Textline at 741741.
- Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
- Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
FAQs
Common questions about primidone
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about primidone.
Can primidone be used for tremors?
Possibly. Primidone isn’t approved to treat tremors. But doctors may prescribe primidone off label for this use. It’s called an off-label use when doctors prescribe a drug for conditions it isn’t approved to treat.
You can learn more about this by talking with your doctor.
What brand names are available for primidone?
Primidone is available as the brand-name drug, Mysoline. Primidone is the generic version of the drug.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less than brand-name drugs.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to find out more about this.
How does primidone work? And how long does it take to start working?
Primidone’s exact mechanism of action isn’t totally clear. It’s thought to work by changing electrical activity in the brain. This reduces the chances of having a seizure.
It can take several weeks to see the full effect of primidone. Your doctor will likely have you start with a low dose of primidone and increase it gradually over a couple of weeks. Keep taking it as directed and talk with your doctor before stopping.
If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Uses
Uses of primidone
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as primidone for certain conditions. Approved uses for primidone are described below.
Use for certain seizures
Doctors may prescribe primidone tablet for treating certain seizures including:
- focal seizures (also known as partial seizures, which affect specific parts of the brain)
- complex partial seizures (a type of focal seizure that causes repetitive movements and impaired awareness)
- generalized tonic-clonic seizures (seizures that affect both sides of the brain and cause rhythmic jerking and stiffening, along with a loss of consciousness)
It’s used for this purpose in children of all ages and adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.
With seizures, electrical activity in the brain is atypical. This usually happens as sudden bursts of electrical activity. The result is a sudden change in muscle control, movements, awareness, sensations, or behavior. Some seizures only affect part of the brain, while others involve both sides of the brain. Symptoms vary with the type of seizure.
Primidone can be prescribed together with other anticonvulsant medications.
Doctors may not prescribe primidone tablet for people in certain situations, including those allergic to the drug, phenobarbital, or those who have porphyria (a rare genetic condition).
Interactions and warnings
Interactions and warnings for primidone
Below, you’ll find information about primidone’s possible interactions and warnings.
Interactions of primidone
Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.
Before you take primidone, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:
- prescription or over-the-counter drugs
- vitamins, herbs, or supplements
To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for primidone” section below.
Warnings for primidone
Some people should not take primidone, and others should take it cautiously.
Primidone could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether primidone is a safe option for you.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for primidone, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Primidone can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to primidone or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe primidone. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.
A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
- swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
- swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems
If you have an allergic reaction to primidone, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Overdose of primidone
You should not take more primidone than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you think you’ve taken too much primidone, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding and primidone
Information about primidone and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Primidone and pregnancy
It’s not known whether primidone should be taken during pregnancy. However, primidone may harm a fetus if you take it while pregnant. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
If you become pregnant while taking primidone, your doctor may suggest that you enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry. You can do this by calling 888-233-2334. You can learn more about the registry on this website.
Primidone and breastfeeding
There are risks to taking primidone while breastfeeding. But there are also risks with having untreated seizures during this time. (Keep in mind that primidone is used for treating seizures.)
For instance, primidone may cause excessive sleepiness or drowsiness in a breastfed child.
If you’re planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about seizure treatment options. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether you should take primidone during this time. Your doctor may recommend other healthy ways to feed your child.
Ask your doctor
What to ask your doctor
Let your doctor know whether you have questions about primidone or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How does primidone compare with other medications that could treat my condition?
- How should I take primidone?
- Does primidone interact with any of my other medications?
Resources
Resources
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
- Primidone tablets, USP. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/4a8e309f-d89e-4b1a-abb2-856a66ebbff9/spl-doc
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
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