Gabapentin
Gabapentin is a medication that helps with nerve pain and muscle spasms. Gabapentin works by binding to the GABA receptor in the brain that normally assists in producing calming neurotransmitters. This medication is also used for fibromyalgia, a chronic pain disorder that causes deep and persistent muscle pain.
Gabapentin interacts negatively with other antidepressants, including selective serotonin re uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and mono amine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). It can also have serious side effects when taken with alcohol or certain medications.
- Description
- Additional Information
- Uses
- Interactions
- Side Effects
HOW SHOULD THIS MEDICINE BE USED?
Gabapentin is used to treat chronic neuropathic pain and spasms. It is also used to treat postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and trigeminal neuralgia. You may start taking this medicine at night if your pain is less severe during the day or on a low dose of another medicine that also helps with pain. If your doctor has prescribed this medication, do not stop using it unless your doctor tells you to. Stopping it suddenly may increase the chance of side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, or confusion.
The Gralise brand of gabapentin is indicated for the management of neuropathic pain only. It is not used for epilepsy.
Horizant is used to treat nerve pain and restless legs syndrome (RLS).
The Neurontin brand is used to treat seizures in adults and children who are at least 3 years old, in addition to neuropathic pain.
Gabapentin is used with other medications to prevent and control seizures. It is also used to relieve nerve pain following shingles (a painful rash due to herpes zoster infection) in adults. Gabapentin is known as an anticonvulsant or antiepileptic drug.
HOW TO USE GABAPENTIN ORAL
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. For children, the dosage is also based on weight.
If you are taking the tablets and your doctor directs you to split the tablet in half, take the other half-tablet at your next scheduled dose. Discard half tablets if not used within several days of splitting them. If you are taking the capsules, swallow them whole with plenty of water.
It is very important to follow your doctor's dosing instructions exactly. During the first few days of treatment, your doctor may gradually increase your dose so your body can adjust to the medication. To minimize side effects, take the very first dose at bedtime.
Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. This drug works best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take gabapentin at evenly spaced intervals at the same time(s) each day. If you are taking this medication 3 times a day to control seizures, do not let more than 12 hours pass between doses because your seizures may increase.
Do not take this medication more often or increase your dose without consulting your doctor. Your condition will not improve any faster and the risk of serious side effects may increase.
Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.
Antacids containing aluminum or magnesium may interfere with the absorption of this medication. Therefore, if you are also taking an antacid, it is best to take gabapentin at least 2 hours after taking the antacid.
Different forms of gabapentin (such as immediate-release, sustained-release, enacarbil sustained-release) are absorbed in the body differently. Do not switch from one form to the other without consulting your doctor.
OTHER USES FOR THIS MEDICINE:
COD Gabapentin is also used to treat and prevent hot flashes (sudden high sensations of heat and sweat) in women undergoing breast cancer treatment or who have had menopause ("change of life," the end of monthly menstrual cycles). Consult your doctor about the dangers of taking this drug.
What precautions should I take before using Gabapentin?
- Do not use Gabapentin if you are allergic to it or have lost part of your stomach (gastritis) since taking this medicine may cause the stomach lining to break down (ulcer).
- Do not use Gabapentin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding a baby. It can pass through the placenta and may harm an unborn baby.
- This medication should be taken exactly as your doctor tells you. If you don't understand how to take this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
- Do not take more than the recommended dose of Gabapentin unless your doctor tells you to.
- Do not give this drug to anyone else, even if they have the same condition you have. It can cause dangerous side effects or even be fatal.
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Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
A product that may interact with this drug is: orlistat.
The risk of serious side effects (such as slow/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness/dizziness) may be increased if this medication is taken with other products that may also cause drowsiness or breathing problems. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using other products such as opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine).
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.
Do not use this medication with other medications that contain gabapentin (including gabapentin enacarbil).
This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests for urine protein. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.
Gabapentin oral capsule can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking gabapentin. This list does not include all possible side effects.
For more information on the possible side effects of gabapentin, or tips on how to deal with a troubling side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
MORE COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
Some of the more common side effects that can occur with use of gabapentin are listed below, along with their rates:
Also:
- viral infection
- fever
- nausea and vomiting
- trouble speaking
- hostility
- jerky movements
The side effect rates are based on patients over 12 years old, as reported in clinical trials for the brand equivalent, Neurontin. Certain rates vary by age. For example, pediatric patients 3 to 12 years of age most commonly experienced viral infection (11%), fever (10%), nausea and/or vomiting (8), tiredness (8%), and hostility (8%). There were no clinically significant differences in rates between men and women. For more information, see the FDA package insert.
If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
