Gaba

Indications

Gabapentin is used to treat:

• nerve pain (neuropathic pain) in adults, such as pain after shingles (postherpetic neuralgia) and painful diabetic nerve damage;
• partial seizures (focal epilepsy), with or without spreading, in adults and children, alone or added to other epilepsy medicines.

How It Works

Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant. It attaches to part of the calcium channels on overactive nerve cells and reduces the release of chemical signals that carry pain and trigger seizures. This calms overexcited nerves.

Dosage and Administration

Adults: the dose is built up slowly to reduce side effects, usually starting with 300 mg on the first day and increasing over several days. The usual effective dose is 900 to 3600 mg a day, divided into three doses, as prescribed. The gap between doses should not be more than 12 hours.

Children with epilepsy: dose by body weight, as prescribed. Kidney problems and older people: lower doses are used.

Swallow capsules or tablets with water, with or without food. If a dose is missed, take it when you remember unless the next dose is near; do not take two doses together.

Do not stop suddenly, especially if you have epilepsy. The doctor will reduce the dose gradually over at least a week.

Interactions

• Morphine, Tramadol and other opioids, as well as alcohol, sleeping pills and other sedatives, increase drowsiness and can slow breathing.
• Antacids containing aluminium or magnesium reduce absorption; take Gabapentin at least 2 hours after them.
• Gabapentin may give a false positive result on some urine protein dipstick tests.

Contraindications

Do not use Gabapentin if you are allergic to Gabapentin or any ingredient of the product.

Side Effects

Common: drowsiness, dizziness, unsteadiness, tiredness, blurred or double vision, swelling of the hands and feet, weight gain, dry mouth and memory or concentration problems.

Get urgent medical help if you have:

• slow or shallow breathing, or extreme sleepiness, especially with opioids or in people with lung disease;
• swelling of the face, lips or throat, or difficulty breathing;
• a widespread rash with fever, swollen glands, yellow skin or eyes (a serious reaction called DRESS);
• thoughts of harming yourself, or new or worse depression, anxiety or agitation;
• severe stomach pain with vomiting (possible pancreatitis);
• unexplained muscle pain or weakness, or seizures that become more frequent.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Information on use in pregnancy is limited. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk to your doctor; do not stop the medicine on your own, as uncontrolled seizures can harm both mother and baby. Gabapentin passes into breast milk; if you breastfeed, watch the baby for sleepiness or poor feeding and discuss with your doctor.

Precautions and Warnings

• It can cause dizziness and sleepiness; do not drive or use machines until you know how it affects you.
• Older people have a higher risk of falls.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, lung disease, or a history of drug or alcohol misuse, as Gabapentin can be misused.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Family members should watch for changes in mood or behaviour.

Overdose

Symptoms may include severe drowsiness, dizziness, double vision, slurred speech, diarrhoea and slow breathing, especially if taken with other sedatives. Get emergency medical help at once. Gabapentin can be removed by dialysis.

Therapeutic Class

Anticonvulsant (antiepileptic); medicine for neuropathic pain.

Storage

Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from light. Keep out of the reach of children.