Author: James Anderson

Gabapentin Oral: Side Effects, Uses, and More

Gabapentin extended-release tablets cannot be substituted for another type of gabapentin product. Be sure that you receive only the type of gabapentin that was prescribed by your doctor. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about the type of gabapentin you were given.

Gabapentin’s primary use is to prevent or control seizures. It works by calming nerve activity to reduce seizure intensity or occurrence. If you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your healthcare provider about breastfeeding or medication options. This is also known as a drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS).

When used with gabapentin, certain drugs used to treat stomach acid problems can reduce the amount of gabapentin in your body. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Gabapentin is only available on prescription, so people will need to visit a doctor to obtain this medication. However, doctors do not prescribe gabapentin to treat arthritis pain or acute pain that results from minor injuries. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. Swallow the extended-release tablets whole; do not cut, chew, or crush them. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed.

Gabapentin can cause some rare but serious side effects. While these are uncommon, people should be aware of them and seek medical attention if needed. Common side effects that require immediate medical attention include unsteadiness and back-and-forth or rolling eye movements that are continuous and uncontrolled.

Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition. Gabapentin comes as a capsule, a tablet, an extended-release (long-acting) tablet, and an oral solution (liquid) to take by mouth. Gabapentin capsules, tablets, and oral solution are usually taken with a full glass of water (8 ounces [240 milliliters]), with or without food, three times a day.

International Patients

Tell your doctor right away if you have any sudden changes in mood or behavior, or thoughts about suicide. Gabapentin is an anti-convulsant medication doctors often prescribe to treat epilepsy seizures. It may be recommended as a pain reliever in cases of nerve pain. Some brands and dosages require a person to break the tablets in half. Always use the other half with the next dose or as soon as possible.

1. Follow your doctor’s instructions about tapering your dose.
2. People who have conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma should speak with a healthcare professional before taking gabapentin.
3. Anyone who receives a prescription for the Horizant brand of gabapentin for RLS should take it only during the evening or at night.
4. During the first few days of treatment, your doctor may gradually increase your dose so your body can adjust to the medication.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company. Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. This medication may interfere with certain lab tests (such as urine protein), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Is gabapentin a narcotic or controlled substance?

A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up. Neurontin (gabapentin) is used to treat pain you may have from shingles (postherpetic nerve pain). It is also used with other seizure medicines for partial onset seizures in patients 3 years and older. Gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise, Horizant) is a medicine used to treat partial seizures, nerve pain from shingles and restless leg syndrome.

The brand-name drug Neurontin can treat one form of epilepsy in children as young as 3 years old. Some people take other medications with gabapentin to control epilepsy symptoms. Overdose symptoms may include slow breathing, double vision, tremor, slurred speech, drowsiness, change in your mental state, dizziness, tiredness, or diarrhea.

These medications should be taken at evenly spaced times throughout the day and night; no more than 12 hours should pass between doses. The extended-release tablet (Horizant) is taken with food once daily at about 5 PM. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects.

Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication. The following are answers to some questions people frequently ask about gabapentin. People with gabapentin allergies should not take this drug. However, it is best to discuss this issue with a doctor before nursing.

Common Brand(S): Neurontin

Gabapentin is available as both a brand name product and a generic product (chemically the same, usually lower cost than the brand name product). Brand names of gabapentin include Horizant®, Gralise® and Neurontin®. Other drugs are available to treat your condition; some may be better suited for you than others. You’re at higher risk if you already have breathing problems. Gabapentin can cause sleepiness, and drinking alcohol can make you even more sleepy.

Withdrawal and dependence

Properly dispose of any half-tablets that you have not used within several days of breaking them. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.

Store gabapentin at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C). Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms. If you forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you remember just a few hours before your next dose, then only take one dose. Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the dosage that’s right for you.