Primidone (other name Mysoline)

Common use

Mysoline is an anticonvulsant that is used alone or with other medications to control seizures in adults and children.

Dosage and direction

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Precautions

Tell your doctor if you have ever had: depression; a mood disorder; or suicidal thoughts or actions.
Do not start or stop seizure medication during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Contraindications

You should not use Mysoline if you have: an allergy to phenobarbital; or porphyria (a genetic disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system).
Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking seizure medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you have any sudden changes in mood or behavior, or thoughts about suicide.
Seizures may increase if you stop using Mysoline suddenly. Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
Tell your doctor right away if you have new or sudden changes in mood or behavior, including new or worse depression or anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, more active or talkative, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Mysoline may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have: extreme drowsiness, falling asleep suddenly, even after feeling alert; or signs of infection - fever, swollen glands, shortness of breath, chills, sore throat, body aches, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, bruising or bleeding.

Drug interaction

Using Mysoline with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Missed dose

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention.

Storage

Store tightly closed at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.