| Indication | For the treatment of epilepsy |
| Pharmacodynamics | Primidone is a barbiturate with anticonvulsant properties. Primidone, either alone or used concomitantly with other anticonvulsants, is indicated in the control of grand mal, psychomotor, and focal epileptic seizures. It may control grand mal seizures refractory to other anticonvulsant therapy. Primidone raises electro- or chemoshock seizure thresholds or alters seizure patterns in experimental animals. Primidone per se has anticonvulsant activity as do its two metabolites, phenobarbital and phenylethylmalonamide (PEMA). In addition to its anticonvulsant activity, Primidone potentiates that of phenobarbital in experimental animals. |
| Mechanism of action | Primidone is a GABA receptor agonist. The mechanism of Primidone's antiepileptic action is not known. |
| Absorption | 90 to 100% |
| Volume of distribution | Not Available |
| Protein binding | 70% |
| Metabolism | Hepatic |
| Route of elimination | Not Available |
| Half life | 3-23 hours |
| Clearance | Not Available |
| Toxicity | Symptoms of an overdose typically include sluggishness, incoordination, difficulty in thinking, slowness of speech, faulty judgment, drowsiness or coma, shallow breathing, staggering, and in severe cases coma and death. |