Mysoline (Primidone) Addiction & Abuse

Mysoline is a brand-name prescription drug which is also sold under the generic name primidone. Mysoline is classified as an anticonvulsant and a barbiturate drug. For many years, Mysoline was the first-line of treatment for generalized and partial seizures, as well as seizures that originated in the temporal lobes. However, its use started declining in the 1980s. Mysoline started being replaced with safer drugs that pose fewer risks for patients. Now, Mysoline is mostly used to treat generalized tonic-clonic seizures, simple partial seizures, myoclonic seizures and complex partial seizures. Mysoline is often used in conjunction with other seizure medications. Mysoline is also used to treat essential tremors and is typically paired with the drug propranolol.

Mysoline has many potential side effects that are typical of barbiturate drugs. It can cause drowsiness, fatigue or listlessness, headache, dizziness and visual disturbances. Mysoline is believed to work by inhibiting abnormal electrical brain activity that causes seizures. When someone is prescribed Mysoline, they typically take the tablets daily. Patients are often advised to take Mysoline consistently at the same time every day. Some patients have to take it three or four times a day, making missed doses a common issue.

Mysoline is considered to be highly addictive. That’s one of the reasons that it is no longer a doctor’s first choice of medication to treat seizures. For decades barbiturates, such as Mysoline, were frequently prescribed. Once doctors and patients started seeing how addictive they were, the number of prescriptions greatly reduced. Barbiturates affect brain pathways and neurotransmitters, and they can cause psychoactive effects -especially in high doses. Along with being addictive, physical dependence can occur with the use of Mysoline as well.

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