Gabapentin – Uses, Side Effects, and More

February 24, 2023
Gabapentin

Uses

Along with other drugs, gabapentin is used to stop and manage seizures. It is additionally employed to treat grownups who have shingles, a painful rash brought on by a herpes zoster infection. Anticonvulsant or antiepileptic drugs include gabapentin.

How to use gabapentin oral

Before starting to take gabapentin and each time you get a refill, read the medication guide and, if available, the patient information leaflet that your pharmacist has given you. Ask your physician or pharmacist if you have any queries.

As prescribed by your doctor, take this medication by mouth with or without food. Your medical condition and treatment response will determine your dosage. The dosage for kids is also determined by weight.

Take the second half of the pill at your next scheduled dose if your doctor has instructed you to divide the tablet in half while you are taking the medication. If the tablet portions are not utilized within a few days of being split, throw them away. If you’re taking capsules, make sure you drink a lot of water while you do so.

It’s crucial to adhere strictly to your doctor’s dose recommendations. Your doctor may gradually increase your dose over the first few days of treatment so that your body can get used to the medicine. Take the first dose at bedtime to reduce side effects.

To reap the greatest benefits from this drug, take it frequently. When the level of medication in your body is maintained at a steady level, this medication performs best. Take gabapentin at the same time(s) every day, spaced at regular intervals. Do not wait more than 12 hours between doses if you are taking this medication three times daily to manage seizures; doing so could cause your seizures to become more severe.

Without first seeing your doctor, don’t take this drug more frequently

Without first seeing your doctor, don’t take this drug more frequently or up your dose. Your disease won’t get better any faster, and there’s a chance that significant side effects could become more likely.

Without first consulting, your doctor, do not discontinue using this drug. When the medicine is abruptly withdrawn, several conditions could get worse. It could be necessary to gradually reduce your dosage.

This medicine may not be absorbed if you take antacids with aluminum or magnesium. It is preferable to take gabapentin at least two hours after taking an antacid if you are also taking one.

The body processes different dosages of gabapentin (such as immediate-release, sustained-release, and enacarbil sustained-release) differently. Without first consulting, your doctor never switches between forms.

If your disease doesn’t get better or gets worse, let your doctor know.

Side Effects

It’s possible to have drowsiness, vertigo, fatigue, loss of coordination, blurred or double vision, odd eye movements, or trembling (tremors). Inform your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if any of these side effects persist or get worse.

Keep in mind that your doctor has recommended this medication because they believe it will benefit you more than it will harm you. Many users of this medicine report no significant negative effects.

Swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet is an unlikely but dangerous adverse effect that should be reported straight once to your doctor.

When using anticonvulsants for any ailment (such as seizures, bipolar disorder, or pain), a tiny percentage of persons may also have depression, suicidal thoughts or attempts, or other mental or psychological issues. If you or a loved one detect any strange or sudden changes in your mood, thoughts, or behavior, such as depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts or attempts, or thoughts of injuring yourself, call your doctor straight once.

Do you have any really serious side effects

If you have any really serious side effects, including as shallow or sluggish breathing, seek medical attention right away.

Rarely will this medication cause a very serious allergic reaction. But if you experience any major adverse reaction symptoms, such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, rash, itching or swelling (particularly of the face, tongue, or neck), extreme dizziness, or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention right once.

The list of potential negative effects is not exhaustive. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any other side effects not covered above.

Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects if you’re in the US. You can contact the FDA to report side effects at 1-800-FDA-1088 or online at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects if you’re in Canada. Call 1-866-234-2345 to report side effects to Health Canada.

Precautions

Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have any allergies before taking gabapentin, including those to it, gabapentin enacarbil, or other substances. Inactive chemicals in this product have the potential to trigger allergic reactions or other issues. To learn more, speak with your pharmacist.

Inform your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history before using this medication, especially of: kidney illness, mental/mood issues (such as depression, and suicidal thoughts), use/abuse of drugs/alcohol, and breathing issues (such as COPD).

This medicine may cause you to feel groggy, sleepy, or have blurred vision. You may become more woozy or sleepy after consuming alcohol or marijuana (cannabis). Unless you can do something safely, avoid using machinery, driving, or doing anything else that requires attentiveness or sharp vision.

Restrict your alcohol consumption. Consult your physician if you use marijuana (cannabis).

Inform your surgeon or dentist of all the products you use prior to surgery (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

The adverse effects of this medication, particularly swelling of the hands, feet, and ankles, breathing that is shallow or slow, dizziness, or loss of coordination, may be more noticeable in older persons. The falling risk might be exacerbated by dizziness and loss of coordination.

Children may be particularly sensitive to this medication’s negative effects, notably changes in mood, behavior, or mental health (such as hostility, problems concentrating, and restlessness).

This drug should only be taken during pregnancy if absolutely necessary. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of your doctor.

Breast milk is able to contain gabapentin. Before breastfeeding, speak with your doctor.

Interactions

Check also the section on how to use it.

Medication interactions could alter how your medications function or raise the possibility of major negative side effects. All probable medication interactions are not included in this document. Maintain a list of everything you use, including herbal products, prescription, and over-the-counter medications, and provide it to your doctor and pharmacist. Without your doctor’s approval, never start, stop, or change the dosage of any medications.

Orlistat is a product that may interact with this medication.

If this drug is taken along with other items that may also make you drowsy or cause breathing issues, the risk of serious side effects (such as slow/shallow breathing, and extreme drowsiness/dizziness) may rise. Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you use any other medications, including alcohol, cannabis (cannabis), sedatives or anxiety medications (alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), antihistamines, or opioid pain relievers (codeine, hydrocodone) (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine).

All of your medications, including allergy and cold/cough remedies, should have their labels read carefully because they may contain drowsiness-inducing chemicals. Inquire with your pharmacist about the safe use of certain products.

Use of this medication along with other drugs containing gabapentin is not advised (including gabapentin enacarbil).

Certain lab tests for urine protein may be affected by this medicine. Make sure all of your doctors and the lab staff are aware that you use this medication.

Overdose

Call 911 if someone has overdosed and is exhibiting significant symptoms like fainting out or difficulty breathing. If not, immediately dial a poison control hotline. Call 1-800-222-1222 to reach your local poison control center if you’re a US citizen. Residents of Canada can dial a regional poison control center. Severe sleepiness, difficulty speaking, and weakness are possible overdose symptoms.

Notes

Don’t give anyone else this medication.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it if you miss it. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for the subsequent dose. At the scheduled time, take your subsequent dose. To catch up, do not increase the dose. Avoid waiting more than 12 hours between doses if you use gabapentin three times per day to treat your seizures. If this happens, go to your doctor right soon.

Storage

Away from light and moisture, keep items at room temperature. Keep out of the bathroom. Keep children and pets away from any drugs.

Unless specifically instructed to do so, avoid flushing drugs down the toilet or pour them into drains. When the product is no longer needed or has expired, dispose of it properly. Contact your pharmacist or the neighborhood waste management firm.

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