Primidone and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• Sus...
• December 10, 2015

For Benign Essential Tremor "I have been taking 250 mg of Primidone for the last 17 years for Benign Essential Tremor. As far as I know, I have no side effects. When I first began the medication, I started out with a smaller dose and worked up to 250 mg. I found that I could not take the meds during the day because of sleepiness, dizziness, etc., so my doctor suggested that I take it at night. I have been taking it at bedtime since, and it helps to put me to sleep."

• Her...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2018

For Benign Essential Tremor "It took away the hand shaking, but I felt off when I was on it. I wanted to get off it, and my Dr. weaned me off. Very bad experience. Diarrhea, sleeping constantly, and woozy. Still weaning off of it. I was only on it for 3 months."

• 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."

• 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."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2018

For Benign Essential Tremor "Have tried primidone twice now - the first time it caused anxiety attacks, drowsiness, and disorientation on an increasing dose - I got to 150 mg per day - taken at night. Recently tried it again and the same again although only got to 100 mg per day. It initially helped the tremors, but it didn't seem to last long, so have abandoned it altogether now. Am also on propranolol, which helps minimally, but I think helps more when I am nervous and have to 'appear' in public!"

• 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."

• Gai...
• July 25, 2021

For Benign Essential Tremor "My father and mother had shaking hands. I am 66 and had mild tremors in my hands since my 20s. I went to a neurologist back then who put me on Inderal, but I didn’t take it due to having side effects of drowsiness. A couple of years ago, my tremors got worse. I went back to a neurologist who prescribed Primidone due to having a slow heart rate. After 3 days of 50 mg in the morning, I have seen significant improvement. I am still dosing and taking one in the morning and one in the evening. I’m very happy that it’s working."

• Plu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2017

For Benign Essential Tremor "Works like a charm! A little sedating when first starting, but it goes away. I can take pictures again!"