What is gabapentin?
gabapentin 300mg (Neurontin, Gralise, Horizant) is a medicine used to treat partial seizures, nerve pain from shingles and restless leg syndrome. It works on the chemical messengers in your brain and nerves. Gabapentin is from a group of medicines called anticonvulsants.
Different brands of gabapentin are not interchangeable and they are FDA approved for different conditions. Use only the brand and form of gabapentin your doctor has prescribed. Check your medicine each time you get a refill to make sure you receive the correct form.
Neurontin (gabapentin) is used to treat pain you may have from shingles (postherpetic nerve pain). It is also used with other seizure medicines for partial onset seizures in patients 3 years and older.
Before taking this medicine
You should not take gabapentin if you are allergic to it.
To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- breathing problems;
- diabetes;
- depression, a mood disorder, or suicidal thoughts or actions;
- drink alcohol;
- a history of drug addiction;
- a seizure;
- (patients with RLS) if you are a day sleeper or work a night shift; or
- kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).
What is gabapentin 300mg used for?
Gabapentin is FDA-approved to treat partial onset seizures in patients 3 years and older (used with other seizure medicines) and nerve pain from shingles (postherpetic neuralgia) in adults. A related product, gabapentin enacarbil (Horizant), is approved for moderate to severe restless legs syndrome in adults.
The approved uses depend on the specific product, and no single gabapentin product is approved for all of these conditions. See the table below for a breakdown by brand.
How does gabapentin work?
Gabapentin works by calming overactive electrical signals in the brain and nervous system. It does this by binding to the alpha-2-delta subunit of calcium channels in nerve cells, which is thought to normalize chemical signals nerves send to each other and results in a calmer, less excitable nerve circuit.
That same effect helps in different ways depending on what gabapentin is treating:
- Epilepsy – dampens the runaway electrical firing that causes seizures.
- Postherpetic neuralgia (shingles nerve pain) – reduces the abnormal pain signals from nerves damaged by shingles.
- Restless legs syndrome (gabapentin enacarbil / Horizant) – the exact mechanism is less clear, but the same calming effect on overactive nerves is thought to ease the urge-to-move sensation.
Gabapentin is not an opioid, sedative, or anti-inflammatory painkiller. It works directly on the nerves, which is why it helps nerve-related pain and why it isn’t useful for everyday pain like headaches or sprains. Most people need 1 to 2 weeks of regular dosing for the full effect to build up.
How long does it take for gabapentin 300mg to work?
Gabapentin can start working for pain after 1 week in some people, but usually takes several weeks to reach its full effect. It works differently than other pain medicines, so you need to take it regularly over several weeks for the full pain-relieving effect to develop.
Warnings
Respiratory depression. Gabapentin can cause life-threatening breathing problems (respiratory depression), especially if you already have a breathing disorder (such as COPD), are elderly, or if you use other medicines that can make you drowsy or slow your breathing, such as opioids or CNS depressants. Seek emergency medical attention if you have very slow breathing.
Suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking and after discontinuing this medicine. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Tell your doctor right away if you have any sudden changes in mood or behavior, or thoughts about suicide.
Abrupt or rapid discontinuation. Seizures may occur if you stop using gabapentin suddenly. Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine. Stopping abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, trouble sleeping, nausea, pain, and sweating.
Gabapentin side effects/gabapentin 300mg
The most common side effects of gabapentin are dizziness, drowsiness (somnolence), swelling in the hands or feet (peripheral edema), and tiredness.
Other common gabapentin side effects may include:
- unsteadiness, poor coordination, or jerky movements
- nausea or vomiting
- headache
- trouble speaking
- blurred or double vision
- tremor
- signs of infection such as fever, chills, or sore throat
Serious side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to gabapentin: hives, difficult breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
Tell your doctor right away if you have new or sudden changes in mood or behavior, including new or worse depression or anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, more active or talkative, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself, while taking this medicine and after stopping it.
Gabapentin can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medicine or alcohol. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue-colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.
How should I take gabapentin?gabapentin 300mg
Take gabapentin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.
Never take gabapentin in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed.
Your dose needs may change if you switch to a different brand, strength, or form of this medicine. Avoid medication errors by using only the medicine your doctor prescribes.
Both Gralise and Horizant should be taken with food.
Neurontin can be taken with or without food.
If you break a tablet and take only half of it, take the other half at your next dose. Any tablet that has been broken should be used as soon as possible or within a few days.
Swallow the tablets of Gralise and Horizant whole. Do not crush, break, or dissolve them. Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open the capsule.
Measure liquid medicine with the supplied measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).
Doses are based on weight in children. Your child’s dose may change if the child gains or loses weight.
You should not stop taking gabapentin suddenly. Stopping suddenly may cause increased seizures. Follow your doctor’s instructions about tapering your dose.
This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using gabapentin.gabapentin 300mg
