Does Primidone cause weight gain as a side effect? 

By Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Page last updated: 27/10/2023 | Next review date: 27/10/2025
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Author bio

Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.

Dr Milena’s Highlights:

-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019. 

-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.

-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.

 

“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.

 

Professional Experience:

 

With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.

 

Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.

 

Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.

 

In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.

 

A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.

 

Professional Memberships & Affiliations:

 

Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.

 

Education:

 

-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019. 

-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.

-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.

 

Relevant Published Work & Citations:

 

Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124. 

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Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).

 

Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231. 

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Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4). 

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Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.

 

Conference Papers:

 

Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.

 

Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.

 

Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.

 

Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.

 

Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.

 

Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto. 

 

Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.

 

You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile. 

 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US

 

ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6

 

Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira

 

Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do

 

Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361

 

Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ

 


Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
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Does Primidone cause weight gain as a side effect? 

No, Primidone does not cause weight gain as a side effect. This Barbiturate showed no such thing during clinical trials or any of the research studies. It does not interfere with the normal metabolic processes of your body or your appetite. 

However, some studies have shown that Primidone can cause loss of appetite as a rare side effect but that would lead to weight loss and not weight gain. This indicates that Primidone has nothing to do with increasing your body fat percentage. 

If you’re gaining weight on Primidone, look for other factors that may be the real culprit. Talk to your healthcare provider about your weight gain and keep your lifestyle as healthy as possible. 

Make sure you have enough physical activity in your routine. Lack of exercise can also make you slowly put on some extra pounds. 

What are the commonly reported side effects of Primidone?

Primidone is associated with a number of side effects. Common ones include (1,2):

  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhoea
  • Constipation
  • Tremors
  • Blurred vision
  • Headache
  • Decreased libido

Less common and rare side effects of Primidone include:

  • Confusion
  • Depression
  • Mood changes
  • Anxiety
  • Restlessness
  • Insomnia
  • Allergic reactions such as hives, rash, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fever
  • Bruising or bleeding more easily than normal

It is important to note that not everyone who uses Primidone will experience these side effects, and some side effects may be more severe than others. It’s crucial to reach out to your doctor right away if you develop any of these symptoms while taking Primidone. 

Additionally, it’s crucial to consult your doctor before starting any new medication to ensure that it is both safe and effective for you to take. 

Final words

To sum up, Primidone does not cause weight gain. If you are gaining weight while taking this medication, talk to your healthcare provider. There could be other factors like an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, etc which could contribute to your weight gain. 

Just make sure you don’t start or stop taking any medication without your doctor’s approval.

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References

1.-

Lenkapothula N, Cascella M. Primidone. 2022 Jul 25. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 32965968. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562297/

2.-

National Library of Medicine. Primidone: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. National Library of Medicine. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682023.html