Primidone

Indications

Epilepsy

Rimidon can be used on its own or together with other anticonvulsants to control grand mal, psychomotor and focal epileptic seizures. It may also control grand mal seizures that haven't responded to other anticonvulsant treatment.

⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.

Pharmacology

Primidone raises the seizure threshold in experimental animals, whether the seizures are brought on by electric shock or by chemicals, and it also changes the pattern of seizures. How primidone works against epilepsy is not known. The medicine has anticonvulsant activity of its own, and so do its two metabolites, phenobarbital and phenylethylmalonamide (PEMA). PEMA has anticonvulsant activity too, and in experimental animals it also strengthens the anticonvulsant activity of phenobarbital.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

We don't know what Primidone does in human pregnancy or in nursing infants. What is known is that in mothers treated with primidone, the drug passes into breast milk in substantial quantities.

Testing for primidone in body fluids is too complex for the average clinical laboratory, so it can't be used to check the baby. Instead, if a nursing newborn of a mother taking Primidone becomes unduly sleepy or drowsy, that should be taken as a sign that nursing should be stopped.

⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Dosage Reference

⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.

Adults: Patients 8 years of age and older who have received no previous treatment may be started on primidone tablets in the following way. Give 100 to 125 mg at bedtime on days 1 to 3, then 100 to 125 mg twice a day on days 4 to 6. Days 7 to 9 call for 100 to 125 mg three times a day. From day 10 into maintenance, the dose is 250 mg three times a day. For most adults and children 8 years of age and over, the usual maintenance dosage is three to four 250 mg tablets in divided doses (250 mg three times a day or four times a day). If required, the dose can be raised to five or six 250 mg tablets daily, but daily doses should not exceed 500 mg four times a day. The dosage should be individualized so the patient gets the most benefit. In some cases, serum blood level tests for primidone may be necessary to adjust the dose properly. The clinically effective serum level is between 5 to 12 mcg/mL.

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Indications

Pharmacology

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Dosage Reference

Side Effects & Interactions

Side Effects

Key Interactions