Primidone and Brain Fog: What Users Say

• hoo...
• July 12, 2018

For Benign Essential Tremor "26-year-old male. I was on 50 mg a night for my tremor and had tried several other medications before (some for high blood pressure, too). Taking this while taking Propranolol occasionally for instances where I knew I'd be nervous. Primidone sedated me a bit at night and helped with my insomnia. Initially, 50 mg was enough to carry me through the day. After a year, it started to wear off earlier during the day. My doctor suggested taking a pill in the morning, too, but that made me incredibly drowsy and foggy. We decided to switch to 100 mg at night instead... yikes. I was coincidentally dealing with some major family events and found myself emotionally derailed. My family 'intervened' out of concern my medication was making me unstable, so I quickly jumped to the doctor's office, had an MRI, and switched to Gabapentin. I also became dependent on this drug for sleep and have been struggling with insomnia since. The withdrawal symptoms, even while weaning off, were not fun."

• cle...
• January 28, 2008

For Seizures "I started taking the generic drug Primidone 1-12-08, and so far, it has controlled the shaking. I have been told I have seizures that come and go. I can't get my words out, and at times, I can't figure out what word or name I want to use. My coordination suffers, and I feel like my mind is kind of cloudy. My hands also shook when I had these seizures. So far, I would rate this drug a thumbs up."

• Hop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 13, 2021

For Benign Essential Tremor "I was prescribed this drug nearly 4 weeks ago by my neurologist as I have essential tremor. I had to start at 1/4 tablet x 2 a day and then increased to 1/2 tablet (125 mg) x 2 a day. I take other meds for depression and glaucoma (which he knows about). The first night was awful - nightmares, woke up feeling drowsy (a side effect). It became so bad for me that I was falling over at night, nightmares, and feeling foggy/drowsy/nauseous/more depressed/vertigo, and my eyes not being able to focus properly during the day, and my work suffered. My tremors improved, but I can't deal with the side effects, so I have started to slowly wean myself off this drug. I phoned and left a message for my neurologist, but he hasn't returned my call. My tremors are returning, but I still have some side effects. Perhaps if I wasn't working and persevered, the side effects would go with more time."

• han...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 27, 2013

For Benign Essential Tremor "I have been on primidone for 10 years. I'm 34. I take 250 mg twice a day. It no longer works. If I increase the dose anymore, I'll be a zombie. I'm about to start gabapentin, time will tell."