Neurontin Uses, Dosage, Side Effects & Warnings

what is the drug gabapentin

This medicine can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Neurontin. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon). It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Only use the brand of this medicine that your doctor prescribed. Use gabapentin with caution if benefits outweigh risks in pregnancy.

Gabapentin side effects

Always follow the instructions given by your healthcare provider, and take the specific medicine prescribed to you. Tell your child’s healthcare provider if you notice changes in your child’s behavior or thinking. The exact way that gabapentin works for nerve pain or seizures is unknown. Seizures are caused by electrical activity in the brain that is not normal. Gabapentin may interfere with the abnormal electrical activity of the brain.

Why is this medication prescribed?

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not use Neurontin if you are allergic to gabapentin. Measure the oral liquid using a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Some people misuse the prescription medication alongside opioids to boost their effects, though this significantly increases the risk of unintentional opioid poisoning and death. If you or your child have suicidal thoughts or behavior, call your healthcare provider who prescribed the medication immediately. You can also dial 988 on your phone to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Additionally, the side effects each individual feels can vary.

what is the drug gabapentin

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using gabapentin?

what is the drug gabapentin

They can treat other conditions as well, like anxiety and neuropathic pain. There are several different types of antiseizure medications. You and your healthcare provider will work together to find the best one for you. older adults national institute on alcohol abuse and alcoholism niaaa 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.

What side effects are possible when using gabapentin?

Swallow the extended-release tablets whole; do not cut, chew, or crush them. There are no known interactions between gabapentin and foods or drinks. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following. Do not share gabapentin with other people, even if they have the same condition as you.

  1. Gabapentin may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
  2. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.
  3. Some gabapentin tablets should not be chewed, cut, or crushed.

When she isn’t trying to discover a way to banish migraines, she can be found uncovering the answers to your lurking health questions. She has also written a book profiling young female activists across the globe and is currently building a community of such resisters. Concerns revolve around its use alongside opioids and the potentially dangerous effects of this combination.

what is the drug gabapentin

If you have not used the extra half tablet within 28 days, it should be thrown away. Gabapentin is also used to manage a condition called postherpetic neuralgia, which is pain that occurs after shingles. You should bring this list with eco sober house review you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. For gabapentin oral liquid, use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose.

Watch for new or worsening thoughts of suicide or depression. This includes sudden changes in mood, behaviors, or thoughts. These changes can happen at any time but are more common in the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose.

If your kidneys aren’t working well, your doctor may lower your dosage of this drug. If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or local poison control center. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. Talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. The risk for serious problems such as severe dizziness and sleepiness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking gabapentin. If you are unsure whether or not to take your medicine with food, ask your healthcare provider. Gabapentin may cause dizziness and sleepiness and can impair your ability to safely drive. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination like operating heavy machinery until you know how gabapentin affects you. How long gabapentin may impair your ability to drive is unknown.

The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. You may break the scored Neurontin® tablets into two pieces, but make sure you use the second half of the tablet as the next dose. Do not use the half-tablet if the whole tablet has been cut or broken after 28 days. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Antiseizure medication toxicity is a medical emergency. Call 911 or get to the nearest emergency room if you or a loved one have these symptoms. Antiseizure medications can prevent seizures in about 7 out of 10 people who experience them. However, it may take time to find the type of medication that works best for you, as everyone is different.

Gabapentin is available in both branded and generic forms. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant (antiseizure) medication approved by the FDA to treat several conditions. Doctors sometimes does drinking alcohol cause cancer prescribe gabapentin “off-label” to treat other conditions as well. A 2022 report stated that gabapentin was among the 10 most commonly prescribed medications in the U.S.

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