Gabapentin

Gabapentin is often prescribed to relieve pain following a shingles infection and to treat partial seizures in people with epilepsy. The drug comes in tablet, capsule, and liquid form, and is typically taken one to three times a day. It is not entirely clear how gabapentin works, but it is believed to affect calcium channels in the brain. Possible side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, and coordination problems.

 

What Is Gabapentin?

Gabapentin (Neurontin®) is a prescription medication used to treat the following conditions:
 
  • Epilepsy -- Gabapentin is approved to be used along with other seizure medications to treat partial seizures in adults and children as young as three years old.
     
  • Shingles nerve pain -- This medication is also approved to treat the chronic nerve pain that often occurs after an outbreak of shingles (known medically as postherpetic neuralgia).
     
(Click What Is Gabapentin Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes It?

Gabapentin is made by Pfizer, Inc.
 

How Does Gabapentin Work?

It is not known exactly how gabapentin works for nerve pain. In addition, it is not known exactly how the drug works to prevent partial seizures in people with epilepsy. Gabapentin does affect certain calcium channels in the brain, and this may be how it works for seizures and nerve pain.
 

Effects of Gabapentin

Several studies have looked at the effects of the drug on treating seizures and nerve pain.
 
Nerve Pain After Shingles
Several studies have evaluated the effectiveness of gabapentin for treating nerve pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia. People who took the drug experienced less pain, compared to those not taking it. In one study, as many as 34 percent of people taking gabapentin reported having half as much pain (or less), compared to just 14 percent of a similar group of people not taking it.
 
Epilepsy
Gabapentin was also studied as a treatment for partial seizures in people with epilepsy. These studies included people who were already taking other seizure medications and whose seizures were not adequately controlled. In one study, up to 23 percent of people who added gabapentin to their seizure medications experienced seizures half as frequently as before, compared to just 9 percent of a similar group of people who did not take the drug.
 

When and How to Take It

General considerations for when and how to take gabapentin include the following:
 
  • The medication comes in capsule and tablet form. It is taken by mouth, usually one to three times daily.
     
  • For people with difficulty swallowing tablets or capsules, a liquid form (called gabapentin solution) is also available.
     
  • The medication can be taken with or without food. If gabapentin upsets your stomach, try taking it with food.
     
  • Gabapentin should be taken at the same time(s) each day to maintain an even level in your blood.
     
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Gabapentin will not work if you stop taking it.
     
  • Do not stop taking gabapentin without first discussing it with your healthcare provider (see Neurontin Withdrawal).
     

Dosing Information

The dose of gabapentin 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 dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
(Click Gabapentin Dosing for more information.)
 

Side Effects of Gabapentin

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with gabapentin. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
Common side effects include but are not limited to:
 
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Coordination problems.
     
(Click Gabapentin Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 
The following eMedTV articles describe specific side effects of gabapentin:
 

Drug Interactions

Gabapentin can potentially interact with a few other medicines (see Drug Interactions With Gabapentin).
 

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Gabapentin?

Talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking the drug if you have:
 
  • Kidney disease, including kidney failure (renal failure)
  • Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
     
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Precautions and Warnings With Gabapentin to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)
 

What If I Take an Overdose?

People who take too much gabapentin may have overdose symptoms that could include:
 
  • Coordination problems
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Drooping eyelids
  • Drowsiness
  • Double vision
  • Slurred speech
  • Lethargy
  • Diarrhea.
     
If you happen to take too much, seek immediate medical attention.
 
(Click Gabapentin Overdose for more information.)
 

How Should Gabapentin Be Stored?

Gabapentin should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Store the medication in an airtight container.
 
Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.
 

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?

If you do not take your gabapentin as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
 

Available Strengths

Gabapentin is available in the following strengths and forms:
 
  • Gabapentin 100 mg capsules
  • Gabapentin 300 mg capsules
  • Gabapentin 400 mg capsules
  • Gabapentin 600 mg tablets
  • Gabapentin 800 mg tablets
  • Gabapentin oral solution 250 mg per 5 mL (equivalent to 250 mg per teaspoonful).
     

Is There a Generic Version of Gabapentin?

Currently, both brand-name and generic versions of gabapentin are licensed for sale (see Generic Neurontin).
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;