primidone
Used for Epilepsy
NowPatient can significantly lower the cost* of your prescription medication by providing free access to drug coupons, savings cards, patient assistance programs and other out of pocket discount programs. Whether you’re insured, uninsured, or underinsured, we empower you with transparency and cost-saving tools to make your primidone more affordable.
Manufactured by various FDA-approved generic manufacturers.
*You can pay as little as $0 per fill using Drug Coupons or Patient Assistance Programs. Subject to applicability & eligibility requirements.
This content is intended for US audiences only
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primidone key facts
What dosages is primidone available in?
primidone is available as a 50 mg, 125 mg, and 250 mg oral tablet.
What is primidone used for?
primidone is an antiepileptic and is used to treat:
- Generalized tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures
- Complex partial (psychomotor) seizures
- Partial (focal) seizures
How does primidone work?
primidone is an antiepileptic (anti-seizure) medication. It’s not clear exactly how it works to treat seizures, but it’s thought to lower the amount of unusual electrical brain activity to help control seizures. The body metabolizes (breaks down) primidone into different chemicals that also help calm the nerves in your brain; one of those chemicals is phenobarbital, a medication that’s used for seizures and sedation.
How do I take primidone?
primidone is typically started at 50 mg to 125 mg by mouth at bedtime. Your provider will raise your dose slowly until you reach a maintenance (long-term) dose. The typical maintenance dose is 250 mg taken three or four times a day, but some people might need more. The maximum dose is 500 mg taken four times a day.
Is it safe for me to take primidone?
primidone is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication if you have porphyria or are hypersensitive to
phenobarbital.
primidone Common Side Effects
Common side effects of primidone:
- Difficulty with movement or coordination
- Feeling like the room is spinning (vertigo)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Poor appetite
- Drowsiness
primidone Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with primidone. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Thoughts of hurting yourself or of suicide
- Low blood cell counts: getting infections more often, bleeding or bruising more easily, feeling weak or short of breath more than usual
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on primidone
The following medications may interact with primidone:
- primidone can speed up the removal of other medications from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of affected drugs include artemether/lumefantrine, asunaprevir, atazanavir, cobicistat, lurasidone, ranolazine, sofosbuvir, sorafenib, voriconazole, certain calcium channel blockers such as felodipine/nimodipine, among others
- primidone may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring
- may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring
- Opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), other drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine): May increase the risk of serious side effects such as slow/shallow breathing and severe drowsiness/dizziness
Who makes primidone?
Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers
Is primidone safe in pregnancy?
It is not known if primidone will harm your unborn baby. You should talk to your healthcare provider before taking this medication if you are pregnant. There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to AEDs, including primidone during pregnancy. Encourage women who are taking primidone during pregnancy to enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED)
Pregnancy Registry by calling 1-888-233-2334 or visiting AED pregnancy registry
The FDA's medical product safety reporting program for health professionals, patients and consumers.
Learn more about reporting side effects in the USDrug Savings Guide
A practical guide to saving money and receiving support with prescription costs
How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my primidone prescription?
After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your primidone prescription
Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.
How do the NowPatient primidone savings programs work?
After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.
Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.
Are the NowPatient primidone savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?
No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.
| Rx Advantage Card* for primidone | Canadian Prescription Savings* for primidone | primidone Drug Coupon* | primidone Patient Assistance Program* | |
| Insured (federal, state or government) | Available | Available | Not Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Insured (Commercial or Private) | Available | Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Uninsured | Available | Available | Not Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage | Available | Available | Not Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
*This is not insurance.
Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of primidone?
No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below
| Rx Advantage Card* for primidone | Canadian Prescription Savings* for primidone | primidone Drug Coupon* | primidone Patient Assistance Program* | |
| Brand | Yes | Yes | Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company | Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Generic | Yes | Yes | No | No |
*This is not insurance.
If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the primidone savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?
If you are insured with Medicare and the primidone drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.
The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.
People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.
If you are denied Medicaid for primidone, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the primidone prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?
If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, primidone is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.
The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.
If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed primidone for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.
I am commercially or privately insured and none of the primidone prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?
If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.
If you cannot afford your copay contribution, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.
However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.
The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.
If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the primidone prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay contributions?
If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:
1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for primidone
If you are having trouble paying for your primidone medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for primidone you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:
- Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
- primidone is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
- You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
- You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers primidone
- If primidone is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications
You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.
2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for primidone
If you are having trouble paying for your primidone medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for primidone you will need to meet the following criteria:
- You live in and are being treated in the United States
- You are insured and your plan covers primidone
- If primidone is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications
You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.
3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for primidone
Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your primidone treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for primidone you will need to meet the following criteria:
- You must be currently insured and have coverage for primidone
- You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
- You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
- Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
- Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.
You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.
Medical Disclaimer
NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information on this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.
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