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Mysoline®
Diagnosis & Treatment > Seizure Medications > Mysoline® > Introduction to Mysoline
 

Introduction to Mysoline

Mysoline (MY-soh-leen) is the brand name used in the United States, Canada, and many other countries for the seizure medicine with the generic name primidone (PRIM-ih-dohn).

Mysoline was introduced for epilepsy in the 1950s. It remains a well-known medication but it is used by only a small percentage of people with epilepsy.

Forms of Mysoline
Mysoline is manufactured in the United States by Valeant Pharmaceuticals. The name or appearance may differ in other places. These descriptions apply to the U.S. versions:

Tablets

50-mg white, square-shaped tablet embossed with "M" and "Mysoline 50"
  As of June 13, 2008, Mysoline 250 mg tablets are round and white, whereas the previous appearance was square and yellow.

Generic primidone made by other companies is also available in the United States, in the same doses.

Both sizes of Mysoline tablets are scored so they can be cut in half easily if 125 mg is prescribed.

In Canada, primidone is available in 125-mg chewable tablets (Apo-Primidone) (not shown).

How to take and store Mysoline
Tablets should be swallowed whole; not bitten or chewed.

Mysoline can be taken either with food or without food, but patients should be consistent each day in whether they take it with food or not.

Patients should be cautioned if you write a new prescription using a different strength of Mysoline. For example, if you've been prescribing 50-mg tablets and the new prescription is for 250-mg tablets, advise the patient about how many Mysoline tablets should now be taken.

Mysoline tablets should be stored at room temperature, away from light and moisture and out of the reach of children.

Missed Doses
Missed doses of Mysoline are common because most people need to take it three of four times per day. A forgotten dose should be taken right away. Advise patients to take a forgotten dose immediately unless it is almost time for the next dose. In that case, they should skip the forgotten dose (rather than taking a double dose) or call for further instructions.

Patients who often forget doses may benefit from using a special pillbox or watch with an alarm.

Reviewed June 2008 by Steven C. Schachter, MD, epilepsy.com Editorial Board.