Drug interactions should be considered before you start using Gabapentin. You should check with your doctor to know about various drugs that can interact with Gabapentin. If you are using additional medicines other than Gabapentin, let your doctor know as those medicines can interact with Gabapentin to affect your health.
Let your doctor know if you are using herbal preparation, dietary supplements or any other medications.
Gabapentin with Opioids
Hydrocodone
Using Gabapentin and hydrocodone together can decrease hydrocodone exposure. The power for changing the hydrocodone exposure and its effect should be determined when Gabapentin is discontinued or started in a patient using hyrdocodone.
Morphine
While using morphine and Gabapentin together, the patients should be monitored for signs of CNS depression like sedation, somnolence and respiratory depression.
Maalox (magnesium hydroxide and aluminium hydroxide)
The efficacy of Gabapentin was decreased by nearly 20% with combined use of Maalox (antacid) consisting of aluminium and magnesium hydroxides. So, Gabapentin should be taken at least 2 hours after using Maalox.
Naproxen
Using Gabapentin with naproxen can elevate the Gabapentin amount absorbed in your body. Although the increased amount is quite low to cause any severe side effects, still extra caution should be taken while using the two medications together. Such patients tend to experience some side effects as well.
Cimetidine
Using Gabapentin and cimetidine together can reduce the renal secretion of the medication resulting in increased level of Gabapentin in the blood. However small decrease in Gabapentin cannot result in adverse effects.
Some other drugs that can interact with Gabapentin are as given below
- Magnesium Trisilicate
- Magnesium Carbonate
- Ginkgo
- Dihydroxyaluminum Aminoacetate
- Aluminium Carbonate, Basic
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Magnesium Oxide
- Magaldrate
- Aluminium Phosphate
- Dihydroxyaluminum Sodium Carb
Although the above medications should not be taken with Gabapentin, there are some cases where the combination of the medications is required in spite of the different interactions that take place. In such cases, your doctor may change your dose or ask you to take necessary precautions. Also your doctor should be aware of other medicines you are taking so that you can use the combination safely. The combination of the drugs might be the better option for the treatment so your doctor will help you know how to use the drugs safely.
The drugs also have some other interactions with certain foods, tobacco or alcohol. So discuss with your doctor if you are drinking alcohol, using tobacco etc.
Drug interactions lead to many complications depending upon the severity of the interaction. If you are using any other medications, it is necessary for your health care provider to know about the drugs so that he can check for possible drug interactions and suggest you whether you can take the drug or not. He can also make dosage adjustment so that you get maximum benefits from combination of drugs.
Always consult your doctor before making any changes to your dose and do not stop any medication without consulting your doctor.
