Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant prescription drug that goes by several brand names including, Neurontin, Gralise, Gabarone, and Fanatrex. It was approved by the FDA in December 1993 for the following main uses.
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Controlling certain types of seizures in people who have epilepsy
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Relieving nerve pain (think: burning, stabbing, or aches) from shingles
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Calming restless legs syndrome
But since it’s been available, gabapentin has also been used off-label in psychiatry to treat patients with treatment-resistant mood and anxiety disorders as well as alcohol-withdrawal and post-traumatic stress. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain for seizures and changing the way the body senses pain for nerve pain.
Pharmacist Tips for Gabapentin (Neurontin)
- Gabapentin (Neurontin) can raise the risk of suicidal thoughts. Contact your provider right away if you or your loved ones notice any new or worsening changes in your behavior or mood while taking the medication.
- Gabapentin (Neurontin) commonly causes sleepiness and dizziness. Don’t drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how this medication affects you.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking gabapentin (Neurontin) because it can worsen side effects (e.g., drowsiness, dizziness).
- Gabapentin (Neurontin) can interact with some commonly prescribed medications. Make sure to tell your provider and pharmacist about all of the medications you’re taking before starting gabapentin (Neurontin). Some medications that interact with gabapentin (Neurontin) include benzodiazepines, anxiety medications, and opioid pain medications. These combinations with gabapentin (Neurontin) can raise your risk of side effects, such as sleepiness, dizziness, and dangerously slow breathing.
- Medications containing aluminum or magnesium (e.g., multivitamins, Mylanta Maximum Strength) can lower the amount of gabapentin (Neurontin) that gets absorbed into your body, which can make the medication not work as well for you. Take gabapentin (Neurontin) at least 2 hours after taking a medication with aluminum or magnesium.
- Don’t change your dose or suddenly stop taking gabapentin (Neurontin) without talking to your provider first. Doing so can cause withdrawal symptoms like seizures, anxiety, and sleeping problems. Follow your provider’s instructions to lower your dose slowly over a period of time to stop the medication completely.
- You can take gabapentin (Neurontin) with or without food, but if it upsets your stomach, try taking it with food to help.
- If you’re taking the gabapentin (Neurontin) capsules, swallow the capsules whole with water. Don’t crush, chew, or open the capsules.
- If you’re taking the gabapentin (Neurontin) tablets, you can split the tablets where they’re scored with a line in the middle of the tablet. Half-tablets not taken within 28 days of splitting in half should be thrown away.
- If you’re taking gabapentin (Neurontin) liquid, make sure to use an oral syringe or medication dosing cup to measure out your dose. Don’t use household spoons because they aren’t accurate and might cause you to take the wrong dose.
- Store the liquid in the refrigerator in the original bottle it came in from the pharmacy.