Gabapentin is a prescription drug that can treat seizures and nerve pain. It is also being used in some treatment modalities to manage substance abuse. It works by mimicking a chemical in your brain called GABA. This reduces the activity of your nerves and relieves pain, drowsiness, and seizures. Gabapentin comes in capsules, tablets, and extended-release tablets (Horizant). It is usually taken three times a day with water. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.
What is Gabapentin Used For?
Gabapentin is a prescription drug that’s used to treat a wide range of conditions, including anxiety, nerve pain, and seizures. It works by suppressing over-excited neurons in the brain and blocking calcium channels that transmit nervous signals. It’s a member of the family of medications called anticonvulsants, and it’s available as both a brand name medication (Neurontin) and a generic version that costs less.
People also use gabapentin for the treatment of PTSD, which is often caused by prolonged exposure to stressful situations and events. It can also be helpful for people struggling with addiction to substances such as marijuana or benzodiazepines, and it may be used in conjunction with other substance abuse treatments, like psychiatric therapy, to support individuals during the detox process.
While gabapentin is generally considered safe, it can cause side effects that may be severe or life-threatening. The most common side effects of this drug include dizziness, drowsiness, and a change in vision. If you experience any of these side effects, talk to your doctor right away.
More serious side effects of this medication include a rare allergic reaction known as “drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms” (DRESS). Symptoms of DRESS can be life-threatening, and you should seek emergency medical attention immediately if you notice a rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, or trouble breathing. Gabapentin can also cause serious kidney problems, especially if you take it with other drugs that affect the way your body absorbs or excretes water and salt, such as cimetidine (Tagamet), colestipol (Coloplast), or lamotrigine (Miralis).
If you’re taking gabapentin, be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. This medication is usually taken by mouth, and the dosage depends on your medical condition and response to treatment. It’s important to drink a full glass of water with each dose, and you should avoid drinking alcohol while you’re taking this medication.
What are the Common Side Effects of Gabapentin?
Gabapentin is a medication that d alleviate nerve pain. It is also a common medication used to treat anxiety and bipolar disorder. However,
gabapentin can cause side effects in some patients. Some of these side effects are mild and do not require medical attention. Others are more severe and may need to be reported to a health care professional. The most common side effect of gabapentin is dizziness or drowsiness. These side effects usually go away during treatment as the body adjusts to the medication. Some of the other side effects of gabapentin are weight gain, tremors, dry mouth, headache, and changes in vision or hearing.
Gabapentin can also affect your blood sugar levels, so it is important to check your blood sugar regularly while taking this drug. If you experience changes in your blood sugar level, talk to your doctor right away.
Some people can have severe allergic reactions to gabapentin. These may include a rash, itching, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, or eyes. These symptoms can be accompanied by other symptoms, including a fast heart rate and difficulty breathing. In rare cases, gabapentin can lead to a life-threatening condition called drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). This is a serious reaction that can affect many organs of the body. It typically begins as a rash and then progresses to other symptoms.
The FDA has approved the use of gabapentin to manage certain types of seizures, as well as to relieve the pain that occurs after shingles and after spinal cord injuries. It is not a conventional painkiller, and other medications are better suited for this purpose.
Regardless of the form of gabapentin that you are prescribed, always take this medication as directed by your doctor. It is recommended to take the oral capsules with a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters). This can be done either with or without food.
Always tell your doctor about all the prescription, over -the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking, as well as any vitamins or supplements. This information is very important when you are taking gabapentin because it can interact with a number of other drugs and cause side effects.
What are the Common Drug Interactions of Gabapentin?
Gabapentin can interact with certain medications that affect how your body absorbs and uses the medication. This may make it less effective or cause side effects. Tell your doctor about any other drugs you are taking, including vitamins, supplements and herbs. Also, let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Gabapentin can be dangerous to babies, so it should never be given to a nursing mother.
The most common drug interaction with gabapentin is when it is taken with alcohol or other drugs that can slow down your breathing, like opioids and benzodiazepines. It can also interact with certain antacids. If you take antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium, wait at least 2 hours before taking gabapentin. This is because the antacids can prevent your body from fully absorbing the gabapentin.
It can also interfere with the absorption of other medications, especially steroid drugs and antidepressants. This can cause serious side effects that could be fatal.
Gabapentin can increase blood levels of diuretics, which are medications that help your body get rid of water. This can lead to a dangerous build-up of fluids in your brain. If you take diuretics, it is important to drink plenty of liquids while taking gabapentin.
When taking gabapentin, it can cause drowsiness or dizziness. This can affect your ability to concentrate and react. It is best not to drive or operate machinery until you know how the drug affects you. This medication can also interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills. If you are using birth control pills, be sure to talk to your doctor about switching to another form of birth control.
Gabapentin can cause respiratory depression, which is when your breathing becomes slower than normal. This can be a dangerous problem for people with respiratory issues like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or head injuries. You should seek emergency medical help if you have trouble breathing or a bluish tinge to your lips, fingers or skin.
Gabapentin can be abused by some people who want to experience a high similar to that of marijuana. This abuse can cause suicidal thoughts, mood swings and sudden changes in behavior. It can also cause elevated blood pressure, fever, sleep problems, appetite changes and chest pain. If you are abusing gabapentin, it is important to seek treatment in a rehab facility.
How should I Take Gabapentin?
Gabapentin is available as a tablet (Neurontin), an oral capsule, and an extended-release tablet (Horizant). Take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take it with or without food as directed. If you are taking it to control seizures or for neuropathic pain, your doctor will start you on a low dose and increase your dose gradually to reach the correct dosage to treat your condition. For neuropathic pain, the standard dosage is 600 mg 3 times a day. If you have intolerable side effects during titration, your doctor may reduce the dose and/or the number of times you take it per day until you are able to tolerate it.
It is important to tell your doctor about all of the medications you take, including prescription and non -prescription drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Gabapentin can interact with certain medicines. This includes opioids such as morphine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone. Taking gabapentin with these medicines increases your risk for severe sleepiness, respiratory depression, and coma. It is also important to tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant. Taking gabapentin during pregnancy may cause heart defects in the baby.
If you are taking it for neuropathic pain, your doctor may prescribe it along with other medications to treat your symptoms, such as antidepressants or opioids. Taking gabapentin with opioids can cause dangerously low levels of blood sugar and liver damage. It is also not recommended to use it during treatment for opiate addiction.
It is important to tell your doctor if you are allergic to any foods, especially shellfish. Also, let your doctor know if you have any other health conditions, especially if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or lung problems. You should not take it if you have diabetes, or if you are having a vaginal birth. Gabapentin can also increase
your risk of having a seizure if you have had a stroke or head injury.
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