Modern pharmaceutical companies produce a large number of antiepileptic drugs. How to understand the variety of such drugs? To do this, contact an experienced specialist. He will be able to choose for you the most effective medicine that will contribute to a noticeable endowment of the patient's condition.
The most popular antiepileptic drug among patients and doctors is Primidon. Instructions for use of the mentioned medicine, its form of release and properties will be presented a little below.
Composition, shape and packaging
You can buy Primidon medicine in two different forms. It is available in powder form, which is packed in a two-layer polyethylene bag and a cardboard box, respectively. Also, this tool can be purchased in the form of tablets in blisters and cardboard packs.
The active ingredient in this drug is primidone. Also, its composition includes excipients (depending on the form of release).
Drug action
What is Primidon medicine? Instructions for use indicate that it is an antiepileptic. It contributes to a mild hypnotic effect, and also reduces the excitability of neurons that are located in the epileptogenic focus.
What other properties are inherent in the medicine "Primidon"? It eliminates essential tremor at a concentration in the blood in an amount of 12 ΞΌg / ml.
Kinetic properties
The drug "Primidon" (tablets and powder) is fairly quickly and almost completely absorbed from the digestive tract. The highest concentration of this medicine is reached after three hours. The bioavailability of this drug is 90-100%. In the blood, it binds slightly to proteins (approximately 20%).
The half-life of this agent is 7-15 hours.
In the liver, the drug is partially converted to phenobarbital (about 20%) and phenylethyl malonamide. These metabolites have antiepileptic activity. They are excreted by the kidneys.
In the patient's blood, it is necessary to maintain a therapeutic concentration of the drug equal to 12 ΞΌg / ml. It is these indicators that contribute to the reduction of convulsive seizures. With other manifestations of epilepsy (for example, a non-convulsive form, polymorphic seizures and others), the effect of therapy is not always achieved. In this case, a comprehensive treatment is necessary.
Indications for use of the drug
In what cases is a patient prescribed a medication such as Primidon? Reviews report that this tool effectively treats epilepsy of various origins, as well as partial and generalized seizures. With the development of focal, myoclonic and akinetic seizures, this medication is less effective.
Contraindications
In what cases is Primidon not prescribed? Instructions for use informs that this drug is prohibited to use in the presence of hypersensitivity (including to barbiturates), as well as anemia, liver and kidney failure, pregnancy, leukopenia and breastfeeding.
The medicine "Primidon": instructions for use
At what dosage is the drug we are considering prescribed? It is taken orally after eating a single dose of 125 mg. After that, every three days the indicated amount of medication is increased by 250 mg for adult patients and by 125 mg for children who have reached the age of 9.
Such therapy is continued until the desired result is achieved.
The maximum daily dose for children is 1 g (in two doses), and for adults - 1.5 g.
Side effects
Unfortunately, the antiepileptic drug under consideration quite often causes undesirable effects. These include excessive drowsiness, headaches, dizziness, anxiety, apathy, nausea, anemia, vomiting, leukopenia, allergic reactions and lymphocytosis.
Very rarely, this medication can cause nystagmus, ataxia, "lupus" syndrome, psychotic reactions, arthralgia, megaloblastic anemia, and with prolonged use - drug dependence.
Overdose cases
Taking large doses of the drug can cause symptoms such as dizziness, ataxia, nausea, and depression of the central nervous system. For the treatment of such conditions, the patient is washed with a stomach, prescribed charcoal, and symptomatic treatment is performed.
Other drug compatibility
The drug "Primidon" enhances the action of derivatives of cyclophosphamide, sulfonylurea and methotrexate, as well as sleeping pills. It also accelerates the metabolism, increases the activity of microsomal liver enzymes, weakens the effects of GCS, paracetamol, MKS, tricyclic antidepressants, indirect anticoagulants, Chloramphenicol, Dacarbazine, Cyclosporin, cardiac glycosides, Disopyramidine, Levotiricin, Levotiricin β,β Theophylline β,β Metronidazole β,β Quinidine β,β Mexiletin β, Vitamin D,β Phenoprofen β, Caffeine,β Aminophylline βandβ Okstrifillin β.
The medication in question enhances central nervous system depression when combined with agents with a central depressive effect and alcohol.
The drug "Amphetamine" slows down the absorption of phenobarbital.
When combined with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors , the violation of osteogenesis is amplified.
This tool reduces the absorption of griseofulvin, which leads to a decrease in its antifungal activity. It also enhances the toxic effects of Enfluran, Methoxifluran, and Halotan.
"Methylphenidate" helps to inhibit the metabolism of primidone and increase its concentration in the blood.
"Leucovorin" in large doses weakens the anticonvulsant effect of primidone. The same applies to the drug "Phenylbutazone".
Special recommendations
The drug "Primidon" can be used in complex anticonvulsant treatment. Cancellation, as well as the replacement of this drug is carried out gradually.
With special care, he is prescribed to the elderly and weakened people. With the development of megaloblastic anemia, the medication is canceled and treatment with vitamin B12 or folic acid is prescribed.
The considered tool reduces the psychomotor reactions of a person. Therefore, it is not assigned to drivers of vehicles and people whose work is associated with dangerous mechanisms.
With caution, this medication is used in children.
Similar means
What can replace the drug "Primidon"? Analogues of this tool can be purchased at any pharmacy or ordered through the World Wide Web.
According to expert reviews, medicines such as Hexamidine, Benzonal, and Phenobarbital have similar properties.
Patient Reviews
Consumers taking an antiepileptic drug like Primidon leave only positive reviews about it. According to their reports, this drug does its job well. It prevents the occurrence of partial and generalized seizures. This medicine also helps reduce the symptoms of epilepsy.
As for negative reviews, almost all of them indicate that this tool contributes to the appearance of a large number of side effects. Therefore, such a tool should be used only as directed by the doctor.