Healthy Skepticism Library item: 9927

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

de Haan GJ, Carpay JA, van Donselaar CA.
Antiepileptic primidone shortly to be withdrawn from sale: change medication now.
Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2003 Nov 22; 147:(47):2325-6

Abstract:

The antiepileptic drug primidone is to be withdrawn from sale by January 2004. After this date, the drug will still be available for a time, but only on a limited basis. Most primidone users are elderly patients who have been prescribed this drug for many years. Changing to a new drug constitutes a health risk for them. If primidone treatment is discontinued too quickly, withdrawal seizures may appear, some of which may be severe. In patients who have not suffered an epileptic seizure for many years, discontinuing medication may be considered. Whenever continuation of anticonvulsive treatment is desirable, it may probably be a good idea to switch over to some newer antiepileptic drug. If a simple and quick substitution is essential, primidone may be replaced by its main metabolite: phenobarbital. General practitioners and neurologists are strongly advised to alter patients’ medication in good time.

Keywords:
Anticonvulsants/therapeutic use* Drug and Narcotic Control/trends Epilepsy/drug therapy* Humans Phenobarbital/therapeutic use Primidone/therapeutic use* Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/etiology Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/prevention & control