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| Pronunciation |
|
 (GA
ba pen
tin) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Neurontin® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Anticonvulsant, Miscellaneous |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to gabapentin or any other part of the
medicine.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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|
- This medicine is commonly used to prevent or reduce the number of
seizures a person has. It can used in combination for partial seizures in
children who are 3 years of age and older.
- It is also used to treat painful
neuropathies.
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|
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| How does it work? |
|
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- Gabapentin alters protein metabolism, but how it works is not
known.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- A liquid (solution) is available for patients who cannot swallow
capsules or tablets. Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush
the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.
- Do not suddenly stop using this medicine if you have been taking it
for a long time. Medicine should be slowly decreased.
- Do not take antacids with gabapentin. Separate by 2
hours.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not stop taking medicine. May cause more
seizures.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
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- Wear disease medical alert identification if for seizure disorder.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines
and herbs that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives,
tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Feeling sleepy, dizzy, tired, or unable to think clearly. Avoid
driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you
see how this medicine affects you.
- Changes in balance, feeling shaky or unsteady. Prevent falls and
accidents.
- Weight gain.
- Muscle jerks.
- Children are more likely to have viruses, fever, hostility, emotional
ups and downs, nausea and vomiting. They may also feel sleepy and
tired.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Too tired or sleepy.
- Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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