I Have Taken Primidone For Tremors For Years. Now I

Posted on Tue, 26 Mar 2019

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : I have taken primidone for tremors for years. Now I am taking Eliquis and am told to no longer use primidone.
Is there an acceptable replacement for Primidone which is compatable with Eliquis?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
lyrica and gabapentin do not react

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

As you stated, you cannot use primidone and eliquis together because primidone affects the breakdown of eliquis (it increases its breakdown) and this causes lower level of the eliquis.

There are a lot of different tremor or seizure meds that react with eliquis unfortunately.

Some of those that do not react are: lyrica, gabapentin

Some that do react and cannot be used are: phenytoin, tegretol

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (21 hours later)

First thank you for Lyrica and Gabapentin.
I need to ask "are either of these harmful to the kidneys?). While it is unfortunate the use of Naproxen for seven + year with no renal check has given me a kidney function of 27%
and I must be very careful with what I take. Please advise me and again thank you in advance. Don Baldus YYYY@YYYY cell 423 312 8484.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
not directly cause harm, doses are adjusted in persons with kidney disease

Detailed Answer:
HI

Sorry for the delayed response

The drugs are not known to affect the kidneys but they are eliminated by the kidneys not broken down in the liver

This means that in persons with kidney disease, the normal doses of either of these medications have to be modified so that levels do not build up

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar