What is gabapentin used for?

A pharmaceutical drug called a gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogue is gabapentin. In the brain, GABA lowers the excitability of neurons, which are involved in both the transmission of pain signals and seizures. The calming actions of GABA on excitable neurons are mirrored by gabapentin.

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Which brands do you use for gabapentin?

There are two types of gabapentin available: brand-name and generic (which are identical chemically but often cost less). Gabapentin is marketed under the brand names Neurontin®, Gralise®, and Horizant®.

For what uses is gabapentin approved?

Using gabapentin for:

Stop and manage partial seizures. Adults and children with partial seizures three years of age and older can take gabapentin.

relieve adult patients’ nerve discomfort after shingles. A painful rash known as the shingles appears years after a case of chickenpox. The dorsal root ganglion is a region of your spinal nerve root where the chickenpox virus lies latent. For whatever reason, stress is typically the catalyst that reactivates this normally latent virus and causes a shingles outbreak. Postherpetic neuralgia is the term used to describe nerve pain that occurs after shingles (PHN).

Handle primary restless legs syndrome that ranges from moderate to severe.

For PHN and partial seizures, the branded gabapentin medications Neurontin and Gralise are authorized. For PHN and restless legs syndrome, the branded gabapentin enacarbil medication Horizant is authorized.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Which dose forms and strengths are available for gabapentin?

One may purchase gabapentin as:

tablets containing gabapentin. It is offered in tablet form in dosages of 300, 600, and 800 milligrams for Clarise and 600, 600, and 800 milligrams for Neurontin, or generic gabapentin.

Oral gabapentin solution. The oral solution includes 250 milligrams of generic gabapentin, often known as Neurontin, every 5 milliliters (50 mg/mL).

capsules of gabapentin. Neurontin or generic gabapentin comes in 100-, 300-, or 400-milligram gelatin capsules.

300- and 600-milligram extended-release gabapentin tablets (Horizant).

How do I take a gabapentin tablet?

Take the Gralise pills with your dinner at night. Take a full glass of water and swallow the pills whole. Never shatter, chew, or crush.

Horizant pill use requires meal. Take a full glass of water and swallow the pills whole. Never shatter, chew, or crush.

Take gabapentin in different forms, either with or without meals.

Tablets of Neurontin and its generic versions can be divided into two halves. The second half can be used for your subsequent dosage. After the entire tablet was broken or sliced, the half-tablet should not be used for more than 28 days.

Using the measuring tool included with the medication, take exact measurements of the liquid formulation of gabapentin. Kindly ask your pharmacist for a medication-measuring instrument if you did not get one.

Maalox®, Mylanta®, Gelusil®, Gaviscon®, or Di-Gel® are examples of antacids that include magnesium or aluminum. If you take one of these, wait at least two hours before taking your next dosage of gabapentin.

Adhere to your doctor’s prescription for gabapentin strictly.

What dangerous side effects does gabapentin have?

Dial your healthcare physician as soon as possible if you experience any of these symptoms:

Indications of an allergic reaction: Get in touch with your doctor if you have a skin rash, hives, itching, swelling, blistering, or peeling skin, with or without a fever. Additionally, you should get in touch with your doctor if you experience difficulty breathing, swallowing, wheezing, or swelling in your lips, throat, eyes, mouth, or tongue.

Mood or behavioral changes: If you experience any of the following: new or worsening depression, anxiety, irritability, feelings of agitation or restlessness, suicidal thoughts or thoughts about death, suicide attempts, call your physician. In addition, as these side effects of your medication may manifest as difficulty sleeping, panic attacks, feelings of aggression or anger, impulsive behavior, an excessive increase in activity or talking, and other changes in mood or behavior, you should contact your provider if you experience any of these.

Abnormalities of the liver include light-colored feces, black urine, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, unusual bleeding or bruises, and vomiting.

Trouble urinating, changes in the volume of urine passed, blood in the urine, weight gain, and swelling in the legs and feet due to fluid retention are all indicators of kidney problems.

Additional worrisome irregularities include sudden muscular soreness, extreme exhaustion or weakness, and blue skin on your lips, fingernails, or toes.

Do gabapentin and other drugs have any significant interactions?

When gabapentin is used alongside medications that produce extreme tiredness or reduced consciousness, serious breathing issues may occur. Narcotic opioids, anxiety medications, antidepressants, and antihistamines are a few examples. Breathing issues are more likely to occur in those 65 years of age or older who also have lung conditions such chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). When you begin taking gabapentin or when the dosage is raised, keep an eye out for symptoms like reduced breathing or increased drowsiness. If you start having respiratory issues, get medical attention straight once.

Can I use alcohol and gabapentin at the same time?

When using gabapentin, abstain from alcohol. When using gabapentin with alcohol, it may make you feel more drowsy or lightheaded.

Is there anything more I should know about gabapentin?

Never stop taking gabapentin without first seeing your physician. Abruptly stopping gabapentin use can lead to significant complications, such as worsening symptoms (if gabapentin is being taken for another purpose) or raising your risk of seizures (if gabapentin is being taken to manage seizures). Additionally, you should always see your practitioner before changing your dosage. Take gabapentin precisely as directed at all times.

Once you start gabapentin, wait to drive, operate heavy machinery, or engage in any other risky tasks until you know how it affects you.

Examine the whole prescription information sheet that was sent with your prescription. Inquire with your pharmacist or healthcare professional at any time if you have any inquiries concerning gabapentin.