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 this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of gabapentin for treating partial seizures in children 3 years of age and older. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 3 years of age.
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of gabapentin for treating postherpetic neuralgia in children. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of gabapentin in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have unwanted effects (eg, problems with balance or walking, swelling in the feet or legs) and age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving gabapentin.
Before taking gabapentin, there are several important things you should know to ensure it is used safely and effectively:
1. Medical Conditions and History
- Kidney function: Gabapentin is primarily excreted through the kidneys, so it may need to be adjusted if you have kidney problems or reduced kidney function.
- Seizure history: If you’re using gabapentin for seizures, abrupt discontinuation can increase the risk of seizure recurrence. It should be tapered off gradually under medical supervision.
- Mental health conditions: Gabapentin may cause mood changes, including depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts, especially if you have a history of these conditions.
- Respiratory issues: Gabapentin can slow breathing, particularly when taken with other central nervous system depressants like opioids or if you have underlying respiratory problems.
2. Drug Interactions
- CNS depressants: Gabapentin may enhance the sedative effects of drugs like opioids, benzodiazepines, or alcohol, which could increase the risk of drowsiness, dizziness, or respiratory depression.
- Antacids: Some antacids containing aluminum or magnesium can interfere with gabapentin absorption. It’s usually recommended to take gabapentin at least 2 hours after taking antacids.
- Other medications: Gabapentin can interact with medications like morphine, which can increase gabapentin levels in the bloodstream.
3. Side Effects
- Drowsiness and dizziness: Gabapentin is known to cause drowsiness and dizziness, which may affect your ability to drive or operate heavy machinery, especially when starting treatment or increasing the dose.
- Weight gain: Some people experience weight gain, which is more common with long-term use. Monitoring your diet and physical activity may help mitigate this.
- Coordination problems: Gabapentin may affect balance and coordination, which increases the risk of falls, especially in older adults.
- Cognitive changes: You may experience memory problems or trouble concentrating, so it’s important to be mindful of any cognitive side effects.
4. Tapering and Discontinuation
- Gabapentin should not be stopped suddenly, particularly if you’ve been taking it for a long time or at high doses, as it can cause withdrawal symptoms or seizures (even if you’ve never had seizures before). Gradual tapering under a doctor’s supervision is necessary.
5. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
- Gabapentin is classified as a Category C drug for pregnancy, meaning it has shown adverse effects in animal studies but lacks well-controlled human studies. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
- Gabapentin does pass into breast milk, so breastfeeding while taking the medication should only be done under medical guidance.
6. Dosage and Timing
- Take as prescribed: Gabapentin should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Doses may start low and gradually increase.
- Regular intervals: It’s important to take gabapentin at regular intervals to maintain stable blood levels. Missing doses can reduce its effectiveness.
7. Alcohol Use
- Avoid or limit alcohol consumption while taking gabapentin, as the combination can increase drowsiness, dizziness, and risk of overdose or respiratory depression.
8. Signs to Report
- Mood changes: If you experience any signs of depression, unusual mood swings, or suicidal thoughts, report this to your doctor immediately.
- Allergic reactions: Swelling, difficulty breathing, and severe rashes should be reported right away, as these could be signs of a serious allergic reaction.
- Severe side effects: In rare cases, gabapentin can cause life-threatening breathing problems, especially when taken with opioids.
In summary, gabapentin can be a useful medication for various conditions but requires careful monitoring, especially regarding potential side effects, interactions, and gradual discontinuation. Always follow your healthcare provider’s advice and report any unusual symptoms.
Gabapentin Drug Interactions
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 this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acepromazine
- Alfentanil
- Alprazolam
- Amobarbital
- Anileridine
- Aripiprazole
- Asenapine
- Baclofen
- Benperidol
- Benzhydrocodone
- Bromazepam
- Buprenorphine
- Buspirone
- Butabarbital
- Butalbital
- Butorphanol
- Calcifediol
- Calcium Oxybate
- Cannabidiol
- Cannabis
- Carbinoxamine
- Carisoprodol
- Carphenazine
- Chloral Hydrate
- Chlordiazepoxide
- Chlorpromazine
- Chlorzoxazone
- Clobazam
- Clonazepam
- Clorazepate
- Clozapine
- Codeine
- Cyclobenzaprine
- Daridorexant
- Dexmedetomidine
- Diacetylmorphine
- Diazepam
- Dichloralphenazone
- Difenoxin
- Dihydrocodeine
- Diphenhydramine
- Diphenoxylate
- Doxylamine
- Droperidol
- Enflurane
- Esketamine
- Estazolam
- Eszopiclone
- Ethchlorvynol
- Ethopropazine
- Ethylmorphine
- Fentanyl
- Flibanserin
- Flunitrazepam
- Fluphenazine
- Flurazepam
- Fluspirilene
- Fospropofol
- Gabapentin Enacarbil
- Halazepam
- Haloperidol
- Halothane
- Hexobarbital
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Hydroxyzine
- Isoflurane
- Ketamine
- Ketazolam
- Ketobemidone
- Lacosamide
- Levocetirizine
- Levorphanol
- Lorazepam
- Loxapine
- Magnesium Oxybate
- Meclizine
- Melperone
- Meperidine
- Mephobarbital
- Meprobamate
- Meptazinol
- Mesoridazine
- Metaxalone
- Methadone
- Methdilazine
- Methocarbamol
- Methohexital
- Methotrimeprazine
- Methylene Blue
- Midazolam
- Molindone
- Moricizine
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Nalbuphine
- Nicomorphine
- Nitrazepam
- Nitrous Oxide
- Olanzapine
- Oliceridine
- Opium
- Opium Alkaloids
- Orlistat
- Orphenadrine
- Oxazepam
- Oxycodone
- Oxymorphone
- Paliperidone
- Papaveretum
- Paregoric
- Pentazocine
- Pentobarbital
- Perampanel
- Perazine
- Periciazine
- Perphenazine
- Phenobarbital
- Pimozide
- Piperacetazine
- Pipotiazine
- Piritramide
- Potassium Oxybate
- Prazepam
- Pregabalin
- Primidone
- Prochlorperazine
- Promazine
- Promethazine
- Propofol
- Quazepam
- Quetiapine
- Ramelteon
- Remifentanil
- Remimazolam
- Remoxipride
- Ropeginterferon Alfa-2b-njft
- Secobarbital
- Sertindole
- Sodium Oxybate
- Sufentanil
- Sulpiride
- Suvorexant
- Tapentadol
- Temazepam
- Thiethylperazine
- Thiopental
- Thiopropazate
- Thioridazine
- Tilidine
- Tizanidine
- Tolonium Chloride
- Topiramate
- Tramadol
- Triazolam
- Trifluoperazine
- Trifluperidol
- Triflupromazine
- Trimeprazine
- Zaleplon
- Zolpidem
- Zopiclone
- Zotepine
- Zuranolone
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Aluminum Carbonate, Basic
- Aluminum Hydroxide
- Aluminum Phosphate
- Dihydroxyaluminum Aminoacetate
- Dihydroxyaluminum Sodium Carbonate
- Ginkgo
- Magaldrate
- Magnesium Carbonate
- Magnesium Hydroxide
- Magnesium Oxide
- Magnesium Trisilicate
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Depression, history of or
- Lung or breathing problems (eg, respiratory depression) or
- Mood or mental changes, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
- Kidney disease (eg, patients receiving dialysis)—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.
Pain Medications, Pain Relief, and Pain Management
