Primidone can be used alone or in combination with other
seizure medications.
Currently, primidone is made by Xcel Pharmaceuticals.
In the body, primidone is converted into various other chemicals, including phenobarbital. Phenobarbital is a type of barbiturate that can help control seizures by acting as an anticonvulsant. Unlike primidone, phenobarbital is considered a controlled substance. This means that there are special rules for prescribing and dispensing phenobarbital (which do not apply to primidone). This is one of the main advantages of primidone. Some people consider primidone to be a barbiturate, while others do not.
Epilepsy is a brain disorder caused by recurring, brief changes in the brain's electrical system. These changes in brain activity can lead to a seizure
(see Epilepsy Symptoms). Primidone (and phenobarbital) works by decreasing the excitability of the brain cells. This helps to prevent abnormal electrical activity from starting and keeps such activity from spreading to other parts of the brain.