GABAPENTIN (Systemic)

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Select the first letter of the drug you are searching for, then choose from the box below. A-Am An-Az B C-Cm Cn-Cz D-Dm Dn-Dz E-G H-J K, L M-Mm Mn-Mz N-Nm Nn-Nz O P-Pm Pn-Pz Q, R S-Sm Sn-Sz T-Tm Tn-Tz U-W X-Z 0-9 Return to Medicine Center Home Page Search Oasis for additional information on your selected drug. Description Before Using Allergies Pregnancy Breast-Feeding Children Teens/Adolescents Older Adults Medical Problems Other Medicines Proper Use Storage Dosing Missed Dose Precautions Side Effects Unwanted Effects Other Side Effects MORE INFORMATION Generics / Brand Names USP Drug Information GABAPENTIN (Systemic) Description— Gabapentin (GA-ba-pen-tin) is used to help control some types of seizures in the treatment of epilepsy. This medicine cannot cure epilepsy and will only work to control seizures for as long as you continue to take it. Gabapentin is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form: Oral Capsules (U.S. and Canada) Before/Having/Using/Receiving this Medicine/Test— In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For gabapentin, the following should be considered: Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to gabapentin. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes. Pregnancy—Gabapentin has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in pregnant animals have shown that gabapentin may cause bone or kidney problems in offspring when given to the mother in doses as large as the largest human dose. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant. Breast-feeding—It is not known whether gabapentin passes into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor. Children—This medicine has not been studied in children younger than 12 years of age, and there is no specific information comparing use of gabapentin in children with use in other age groups. Teenagers/Adolescents— Teenagers—This medicine has been tested in a small number of patients 12 to 18 years of age. In effective doses, gabapentin has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults. Older adults—Gabapentin is removed from the body more slowly in elderly people than in younger people. Higher blood levels may occur, which may increase the chance of unwanted effects. Your doctor may give you a different gabapentin dose than a younger person would receive. Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of gabapentin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially: Kidney disease—Higher blood levels of gabapentin may occur, which may increase the chance of unwanted effects; your doctor may need to change your dose Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking gabapentin, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following: Antacids (e.g., Maalox)—Lower blood levels of gabapentin may occur, so gabapentin may not work properly; gabapentin should be taken at least 2 hours after any antacid is taken. Proper Use/Preparation of this Medicine/Test— Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor, to help your condition as much as possible. Do not take more or less of it, and do not take it more or less often than your doctor ordered. Gabapentin may be taken with or without food or on a full or empty stomach. However, if your doctor tells you to take the medicine a certain way, take it exactly as directed. When taking gabapentin 3 times a day, do not allow more than 12 hours to pass between any 2 doses. If you have trouble swallowing capsules, you may open the gabapentin capsule and mix the medicine with applesauce or juice. Mix only one dose at a time just before taking it. Do not mix any doses to save for later, because the medicine may change over time and may not work properly. Storage—To store this medicine: Keep out of the reach of children. Store away from heat and direct light. Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children. Dosing—The dose of gabapentin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of gabapentin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The number of capsules that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. For oral dosage form (capsules): -- For epilepsy: Adults and teenagers 12 years of age and older—300 milligrams (mg) at bedtime the first day, a total of 600 mg divided into two smaller doses the second day, then a total of 900 mg divided into three smaller doses each day. Your doctor may increase the dose gradually if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 3600 mg a day. Children up to 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by the doctor. Missed dose—If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is less than 2 hours until your next dose, take the missed dose right away, and take the next dose 1 to 2 hours later. Then go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses. Precautions While/After Using Receiving this Medicine— It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits, especially for the first few months you take gabapentin. This is necessary to allow dose adjustments and to reduce any unwanted effects. This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system, possibly causing drowsiness). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; prescription pain medicine or narcotics; barbiturates; other medicines for seizures; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your medical doctor or dentist before taking any of the above while you are taking gabapentin. Gabapentin may cause blurred vision, double vision, clumsiness, unsteadiness, dizziness, drowsiness, or trouble in thinking. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert, well-coordinated, or able to think or see well. If these reactions are especially bothersome, check with your doctor. Before you have any medical tests, tell the doctor in charge that you are taking gabapentin. The results of dipstick tests for protein in the urine may be affected by this medicine. Do not stop taking gabapentin without first checking with your doctor. Stopping the medicine suddenly may cause your seizures to return or to occur more often. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping completely. Side Effects of this Medicine— Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Unwanted Effects— Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur: More common Clumsiness or unsteadiness; continuous, uncontrolled back and forth and/or rolling eye movements Less common Depression, irritability, or other mood or mental changes; loss of memory Rare Fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, painful or difficult urination Symptoms of overdose Double vision; severe diarrhea; severe dizziness; severe drowsiness; severe slurred speech; sluggishness Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome: More common Blurred or double vision; dizziness; drowsiness; muscle ache or pain; swelling of hands, feet, or lower legs; trembling or shaking; unusual tiredness or weakness Less common Diarrhea; dryness of mouth or throat; frequent urination; headache; indigestion; low blood pressure; nausea; noise in ears; runny nose; slurred speech; trouble in thinking; trouble in sleeping; vomiting; weakness or loss of strength; weight gain Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

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