Primidone and Depression: What Users Say

• Ups...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2021

For Benign Essential Tremor "It affects all my other meds, and the thyroid med affects it. I live feeling like a zombie. It has decreased blood levels of the antidepressant med so much that the result is primidone causes major depression. I never do anything I need to do in order to function in my normal routine. One month, 50 mg at night. This week upped to 100 mg. Last night I dropped back to 50 mg. I’m going to wean off that. Age 65+. Propranolol caused 2/3 hair loss. I’m done. Rather have the tremors."

• A N...
• December 23, 2010

Primidone for Seizures "I was prescribed this medicine back in the late '80s for seizure control. I recently stopped using this in 2010. It controlled my seizures well, but I did not realize the side effects of it. Side effects were irritability, anger, increased depression, and behavior. Because I literally grew up with this medicine, I can now see these issues after changing the medicine. My brain was built to use it during puberty/young adult. This does control seizures and actually suppressed anxiety by slowing down all brain functions. Be aware that epilepsy is comorbid with depression quite often and this medicine may enhance/increase depression symptoms."

• Bon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 12, 2019

For Benign Essential Tremor "50 mg BID dosage. My age 76. Had every listed side effect including EOM pain, panic attack, mania, suicidal thoughts and actions, muscle cramps, irritability, depression, diplopia, excitement. Took this for 7 months, did not realize side effects until 2 weeks ago. It should not be given to the elderly."

• 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."