Gabapentin
Description
Gabapentin is a medicine used in the treatment of neuropathic pain (nerve pain due to damage or injury to your nerves). It can also be used to treat epilepsy (abnormal brain activity causing seizures) in combination with other medicines. It works by reducing the abnormal electrical activity and blocking the movement of pain signals in your brain.
Gabapentin can cause side effects like fatigue, loss of coordination, dry mouth, etc. Consult your doctor if these side effects persist or worsen. Avoid driving vehicles or operating machines as this medicine can cause dizziness and drowsiness which can affect your mental focus. This medicine may cause mood and behavioural changes. If you develop mood changes or suicidal thoughts, contact your doctor immediately.
Gabapentin can be taken with or without food as prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will determine the dose and duration of treatment based on your condition. You should continue taking this medicine for the prescribed duration, even if you feel better after a few doses. Avoid the discontinuation of this medicine unless advised by your doctor. If stopped abruptly, you might experience withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, fatigue, sweating, nausea, seizures, depression, and hallucinations.
Gabapentin is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you have kidney problems or any other medical conditions.
Gabapentin is not recommended for use in children less than 6 years of age. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Gabapentin
- Dizziness
- Uncontrolled eye movements
- Agitation and anxiety
- Restlessness
- Hyperactivity
- Unusual tiredness and weakness
- Irritability
- Blurred vision
- Lower back pain
- Tremors
- Increased appetite
- Change in vision
- Dry mouth
- Weight gain
Uses of Gabapentin
What is it prescribed for?
- Epilepsy
- Neuropathic pain
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of Gabapentin can be observed in 2 to 3 hours.
- Duration of effectGabapentin may remain in your body for 1-2 days.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Gabapentin as it increases the risk of side effects like dizziness, difficulty in concentration, etc.
- Is it habit forming?Some habit-forming tendencies were reported for Gabapentin in the post-marketing database.
- Usage in pregnancy?Gabapentin is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may harm your developing foetus. This medicine is prescribed by your doctor only when the potential benefits outweigh the risks. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Gabapentin is present in breastmilk. Therefore, this medicine is not recommended while breastfeeding unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
Gabapentin is not recommended for use if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms like skin rash, redness/swelling (of face, lips, throat, etc.), hives (itchy and painful eruption), breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Gabapentin is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may harm your developing foetus. This medicine is prescribed by your doctor only when the potential benefits outweigh the risks. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
Gabapentin is present in breastmilk. Therefore, this medicine is not recommended while breastfeeding unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Suicidal thoughts
Gabapentin may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviour. Hence, close observation for any change in mood or behaviour is necessary while taking this medicine.
Skin reactions
Gabapentin may cause skin reactions like skin rash and angioedema (swelling in the lower layer of the skin). Consult your doctor if you experience symptoms like skin rash, fever, etc.
Driving or operating machines
Gabapentin is known to cause sleepiness and dizziness. Therefore, if you experience such symptoms, avoid operating heavy machines or driving vehicles.
Use in children
Gabapentin is known to cause central nervous system effects like behaviour changes, difficulty in concentration, and restlessness. Hence, it should be used with caution in children aged between 3 to 12 years.
Withdrawal symptoms
Gabapentin should not be stopped immediately without consulting your doctor due to the risk of increased seizure frequency. Your doctor will gradually reduce your dose over a period.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of Gabapentin, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Never take more than the prescribed dose. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose of Gabapentin.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Concomitant use of alcohol with central nervous system active agents may potentiate the central nervous system depression and respiratory depression.
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Gabapentin as it increases the risk of side effects like dizziness, difficulty in concentration, etc.
Interaction with Medicine
Duloxetine
Buprenorphine
Disease interactions
Impaired kidney function
Gabapentin should be used with caution if you have an impaired kidney as a damaged kidney will not filter the medicine completely out of your body, leading to toxicity. Your doctor can adjust your dose based on your condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Gabapentin with or without food. Do not break, crush or chew the tablet/capsule.
Avoid abrupt discontinuation of Gabapentin without consulting your doctor. You may also experience withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, fatigue, sweating, vomiting, depression, seizures, and hallucinations.
Avoid taking this medicine with an antacid (a medicine used to relieve acidity) as it can reduce the absorption of Gabapentin in your body.
Avoid driving or performing any activity that requires mental focus as Gabapentin can cause sleepiness and/or drowsiness which can affect your ability to focus.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Gabapentin works by reducing the abnormal electrical activity in your brain, thus preventing seizures (fits). It is also used to relieve pain due to nerve damage by interfering with the pain signals travelling through your damaged nerves and your brain.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs
Schedule
Gabapentin
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Gabapentin 100mg Capsules - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 7 September 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Gabapentin: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 7 September 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - GABAPENTIN- gabapentin capsule. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 7 September 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 25 Oct 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.