Gabapentin Dosing

Gabapentin dosing guidelines take various factors into account, such as the condition being treated and a person's age and weight. When used to treat partial seizures, the drug must be combined with another seizure medication, so this can also affect the dose. When treating postherpetic neuralgia, gabapentin dosing guidelines recommend taking it once on the first day, twice on the second day, and three times on the third day.

An Introduction to Gabapentin Dosing

The dose of gabapentin (Neurontin®) that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age and weight
  • The medical condition being treated
  • Other medications you may be taking
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your gabapentin dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Gabapentin Dosing for Epilepsy

The recommended starting dose of gabapentin for controlling partial seizures in adults and adolescents over 12 years old is gabapentin 300 mg three times daily. If necessary, your healthcare provider may increase your dose, up to a maximum of gabapentin 800 mg three times daily, until your seizures are under control.
 
For children ages 3 to 12 years old, your child's healthcare provider will calculate the gabapentin dosage based on your child's weight. Your child's healthcare provider may increase this dose as necessary for seizure control. For example, as your child grows, dosage increases may be necessary.
 
It is important to understand that gabapentin is approved to treat seizures only when used in combination with other seizure medications. Also, if you have kidney disease, you may need a lower gabapentin dose.
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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