Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of gabapentin for treating postherpetic neuralgia in children. If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice. Although gabapentin is only licensed for use in epilepsy and neuropathic pain, it is also prescribed to help to prevent attacks of migraine.

More common side effects of gabapentin

This can happen while you are taking this medication or after stopping it. Talk to your care team right away if you have changes in mood or behavior or thoughts of self-harm or suicide. 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. The most common side effects of gabapentin are listed below.

What should I do if I miss a dose of gabapentin?

These may be symptoms of a serious and life-threatening allergic reaction called drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) or multiorgan hypersensitivity. Certain medicines should gabapentin oral uses and side effects not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you.

• Read the full prescription information leaflet that comes with your medication.
• Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.
• Or you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.
• Taking it a second time after any allergic reaction to it could be fatal (cause death).
• Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.

Related Conditions

Talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This drug should only be used if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the pregnancy. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking this drug. Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the dosage that’s right for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect. When used with gabapentin, certain drugs used to treat stomach acid problems can reduce the amount of gabapentin in your body.

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. Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Gabapentin is a prescription drug most commonly prescribed to relieve nerve pain following shingles in adults, treating the pain of post herpetic neuralgia. Gabapentin belongs to a class of drugs known as anti-seizure drugs. Drinking alcohol with gabapentin could increase sleepiness or dizziness. The branded gabapentin products Neurontin and Gralise are approved for partial seizures and PHN. The branded gabapentin enacarbil product Horizant is approved for restless legs syndrome and PHN.

What may interact with this medication?

Individuals experienced double vision, slurred speech, drowsiness, diarrhea and sluggishness. If you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your healthcare provider about breastfeeding or medication options. Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

• Gabapentin relieves the pain of PHN by changing the way the body senses pain.
• This registry tracks the effects of anti-seizure drugs on pregnancy.
• When you stop taking gabapentin, you’ll need to reduce your dose gradually to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
• These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.
• Swallow the extended-release tablets whole; do not cut, chew, or crush them.

It is also sometimes called multiorgan hypersensitivity. This is a reaction that can affect multiple parts of the body, including your liver, kidneys, and heart. Stop taking gabapentin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction. This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert).

Do not stop taking gabapentin without talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping gabapentin suddenly can cause side effects, including seizures. If you need to stop taking gabapentin, your healthcare provider will give you instructions on how to stop the medicine. Gabapentin can cause allergic reactions, including DRESS, which can be serious. DRESS stands for Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms.

If your care team wants you to stop the medication, the dose may be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects. Do not take gabapentin unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Different forms of gabapentin are not interchangeable even if the strength is the same.

Use the other half-tablet as part of your next dose. Properly dispose of any half-tablets that you have not used within several days of breaking them. If this happens, you’ll have withdrawal symptoms after you stop taking the medicine.

To do so may increase the chance of side effects. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take. Extended release formulation (Gralise) not studied in the treatment of seizures. Reported increased blood creatinine phosphokinase levels and muscle damage caused by inflammation. Gabapentin has mild interactions with at least 21 different drugs.

If you are taking gabapentin to treat seizures and you suddenly stop taking the medication, you may experience seizures more often. Your doctor may decrease your dose gradually over at least a week. Gabapentin capsules, tablets, and oral solution are used along with other medications to help control certain types of seizures in people who have epilepsy. Gabapentin is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. Gabapentin treats seizures by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.

Gabapentin belongs to a class of drugs called anticonvulsants. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions. You may break the scored Neurontin® tablets into 2 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.