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 capsules, tablets, and oral solution are also used to relieve the pain of postherpetic neuralgia PHN; the burning, stabbing pain or aches that may last for months or years after an attack of shingles. Gabapentin extended-release tablets Horizant are used to treat restless legs syndrome RLS; a condition that causes discomfort in the legs and a strong urge to move the legs, especially at night and when sitting or lying down.
Gabapentin is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. Gabapentin treats seizures by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain. Gabapentin relieves the pain of PHN by changing the way the body senses pain.
It is not known exactly how gabapentin works to treat restless legs syndrome. Gabapentin comes as a capsule, a tablet, an extended-release long-acting tablet, and an oral solution liquid to take by mouth. Gabapentin capsules, tablets, and oral solution are usually taken with a full glass of water 8 ounces [ milliliters] , with or without food, three times a day. 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. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take gabapentin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Gabapentin extended-release tablets cannot be substituted for another type of gabapentin product. Be sure that you receive only the type of gabapentin that was prescribed by your doctor. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about the type of gabapentin you were given.
If your doctor tells you to take one-half of a regular tablet as part of your dose, carefully split the tablet along the score mark. 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 you are taking gabapentin to control seizures or PHN, your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of gabapentin and gradually increase your dose as needed to treat your condition.
If you are taking gabapentin to treat PHN, tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve during your treatment. Gabapentin may help to control your condition but will not cure it.
Continue to take gabapentin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking gabapentin without talking to your doctor, even if you experience side effects such as unusual changes in behavior or mood.
If you suddenly stop taking gabapentin tablets, capsules, or oral solution, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, nausea, pain, and sweating. 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.
Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer's patient information sheet Medication Guide when you begin treatment with gabapentin and each time you refill your prescription.
Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. It is important to seek emergency medical treatment if symptoms of a severe allergic reaction occur. These may include :. Because gabapentin can cause drowsiness, anyone taking this drug should exercise caution while driving or using machinery.
People should also avoid alcohol or limit their intake of alcohol while taking gabapentin, as there is a risk of adverse reactions. The number of daily doses, the hours that pass between those doses, and how long a person takes gabapentin will vary among individuals. A person should take some forms of gabapentin with food, but for other forms, this is not necessary. Anyone who receives a prescription for the Horizant brand of gabapentin for RLS should take it only during the evening or at night.
Some brands and dosages require a person to break the tablets in half. Always use the other half with the next dose or as soon as possible.
Never break or chew extended-release gabapentin tablets. People should always swallow these whole. It is vital to take only the recommended dosage of gabapentin and not to continue using it for longer than a doctor prescribes.
If a person misses a dose, they should follow the instructions on the label or call a pharmacist for advice. If a person misses a dose of gabapentin, they should take their required dose as soon as they remember. The only exception is if it is already time to take the next dose.
In this case, the person should simply skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the usual time. Doctors prescribe gabapentin to control seizures, treat RLS, and reduce nerve pain. Several types of gabapentin are available, and different forms can treat different medical issues. The right dosage will vary depending on the condition a person has and several other factors.
A doctor can best advise about drug interactions and other safety considerations. Although gabapentin can cause several adverse reactions, many people experience no serious side effects from this drug. Learn about restless legs syndrome, including common causes, treatments, and home remedies. This article contains the best tips on relieving symptoms. Focal seizures, also called partial seizures, happen when a seizure affects only one part of the brain.
Focal seizures differ from generalized…. The radial nerve is prone to injury, even from minor incidents, such as sleeping on the arm.
Radial nerve injury is also common after breaking the arm. What are common triggers that may induce a seizure? Read on to find a list of possible seizure triggers, how they differ from causes, and how to….
Here, we tackle 13 myths associated with epilepsy. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Neurontin gabapentin is a prescription medication used for the treatment of epilepsy and for reduction of pain in conditions such as postherpetic neuralgia. It is available as a capsule, tablet, and oral solution.
This medication is intended for consistent daily use and is not considered effective when used as an acute treatment for any condition. Neurontin is also commonly used off-label for management of a number of medical conditions, such as neuropathic pain and migraine prevention. The recommended dose differs depending on the condition for which you are prescribed Neurontin. You may experience side effects from using this medication, including drowsiness, dizziness, and allergic reactions.
While it is rare, the manufacturer warns of an increased risk of suicidal behavior. Epilepsy is a condition characterized by a tendency to have recurrent seizures. Partial-onset seizures are the most common type of seizure.
A seizure is defined as partial-onset if the epileptic activity begins in one region of the brain, rather than beginning throughout the whole brain.
Partial onset seizures may generalize throughout the brain, causing changes in consciousness, or they may remain focal in one region of the brain , manifesting with symptoms such as involuntary jerking. Adjunctive therapy is an add-on therapy. When used for the treatment of epilepsy, Neurontin is approved for use when another anticonvulsant anti-epilepsy medication is also being prescribed. It is not approved as the single treatment for control of epilepsy.
Postherpetic neuralgia is a rare, painful condition that can develop after a bout of shingles. It is characterized by severe, persistent pain. Shingles is caused by reactivation of the herpes zoster virus.
While you have shingles, you can transmit the herpes zoster virus, causing another person to develop chickenpox. By the time postherpetic neuralgia develops, you should no longer be contagious. While Neurontin is approved as an add-on therapy for epilepsy, it has been used off-label as the only anticonvulsant in the control of seizures.
If you have had a negative reaction to Neurontin in the past, it is important that you tell your healthcare provider. Your reaction could mean that you are unable to tolerate this medication. Neurontin is not classified as a scheduled drug and is not considered highly addictive or a drug of abuse or dependence. There are few reports of misuse and abuse, particularly among individuals who have a history of substance abuse.
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