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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sheilac on October 14, 2008, at 6:56:20
My husband recently started taking Primidone for a bad tremor. He took 50mg for a long time, but that wasn't working so his new doc has him upping his doseage until he gets to around 800mg.
He has been upping his doesage too fast. He should only be at 250mg and he has been taking 500mg. He complains that he has trouble sleeping (I thought Primidone made people drwosy), so he has been taking a xanax at night to sleep. Xanax in the past never effected his personality though.
BUT - the biggest thing I have noticed is a change in his personality. He is very, very sensitive, cries easily, a little parinoid, and he even seems a little depressed, quick to get angry.
Could Primidone be changing his personality? He never had this problem on 50mg. As of last night he dropped back from 500mg to 250mg. We will see how that works.
But I can't take this person he has become. It is effecting our marriage.
Posted by azalea on October 14, 2008, at 9:46:11
In reply to Primidone?, posted by Sheilac on October 14, 2008, at 6:56:20
Emotional lability is common reaction to primidone. This could be from too rapid of an increase in dose. The recommendation is to increase by 25mg/day per week. So, if he's been taking 50mg regularly, week 1 of titration should be 75mg/day, week 2 at 100mg/day and so on. This slow titration should minimize side effects as well as allowing your husband to find the lowest effective dose. Slow and steady wins the race.
Once he gets to 250mg, the recommendation is that the dose should be divided into 125mg twice per day, rather than taking it all at once.
> My husband recently started taking Primidone for a bad tremor. He took 50mg for a long time, but that wasn't working so his new doc has him upping his doseage until he gets to around 800mg.
>
> He has been upping his doesage too fast. He should only be at 250mg and he has been taking 500mg. He complains that he has trouble sleeping (I thought Primidone made people drwosy), so he has been taking a xanax at night to sleep. Xanax in the past never effected his personality though.
>
> BUT - the biggest thing I have noticed is a change in his personality. He is very, very sensitive, cries easily, a little parinoid, and he even seems a little depressed, quick to get angry.
>
> Could Primidone be changing his personality? He never had this problem on 50mg. As of last night he dropped back from 500mg to 250mg. We will see how that works.
>
> But I can't take this person he has become. It is effecting our marriage.
>
>
Posted by Phillipa on October 14, 2008, at 12:35:49
In reply to Re: Primidone? » Sheilac, posted by azalea on October 14, 2008, at 9:46:11
Is the cause of the temor partial seizures as just googled it. Said start 25 and up it from there. Or is it off label for another disorder? Phillipa
Posted by azalea on October 14, 2008, at 19:45:19
In reply to Re: Primidone?, posted by Phillipa on October 14, 2008, at 12:35:49
Primidone is approved to treat seizure disorder, but is used off-label for essential tremor. Hope that provides some clarification.
> Is the cause of the temor partial seizures as just googled it. Said start 25 and up it from there. Or is it off label for another disorder? Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on October 14, 2008, at 20:46:36
In reply to Re: Primidone? » Phillipa, posted by azalea on October 14, 2008, at 19:45:19
Spill the beans so to speak you're a scientist? Love Phillipa and thanks for the clarification. Now if you knew why I was more tired from cutting down on benzos with lots of stress I'd call you the miracle worker. Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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