Gabapentin Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Gabapentin Tablet (generic name gabapentin) is a prescription anticonvulsant and gabapentinoid medicine. It is used to control partial seizures, relieve nerve pain that continues after shingles, and treat restless legs syndrome (Horizant brand only). It comes as brand-name and generic products, including tablets, capsules, extended-release tablets, and a liquid, and must be taken exactly as prescribed by a doctor.

What is Gabapentin Tablet

Gabapentin is a prescription medicine that acts like GABA, a natural substance in the brain that calms overactive nerve cells. It is used to control seizures, ease certain nerve pain, and treat restless legs syndrome. It comes as brand-name and generic products, including tablets, capsules, extended-release tablets, and a liquid.

Gabapentin Tablet uses

• Prevent and control partial seizures in adults and children age 3 and older (used with other seizure medicines)
• Relieve nerve pain that continues after a shingles infection (postherpetic neuralgia) in adults
• Treat moderate-to-severe restless legs syndrome (Horizant brand only)

Benefits of Gabapentin Tablet

• Helps relieve neuropathic (nerve) pain, such as burning, shooting, or tingling pain.
• Is commonly used for postherpetic neuralgia, nerve pain that can remain after shingles.
• Helps control partial-onset seizures when used as part of epilepsy treatment.
• Reduces abnormal electrical activity in the nervous system.
• May help improve sleep and daily comfort when nerve pain is effectively controlled.
• Can be used alongside other medicines when additional seizure or nerve-pain control is needed.

How Gabapentin Tablet works

Gabapentin works by calming overactive electrical signals in the brain and nerves, which helps reduce seizures and changes how the body senses certain nerve pain.

Gabapentin Tablet dosage

Take gabapentin exactly as your doctor prescribes, and do not take more, less, or more often than directed. Regular tablets, capsules, and the liquid are usually taken with a full glass of water, with or without food, several times a day. Doses should be spaced evenly through the day and night, with no more than 12 hours between doses.

Extended-release tablets (Horizant) should be taken with food, at about the same time each evening, and swallowed whole without crushing, chewing, or breaking. Extended-release tablets for nerve pain after shingles should be taken with the evening meal.

If your tablet is scored and your doctor says you can split it, take the other half at your next dose, and do not use a half-tablet more than 28 days after it was broken. Measure the liquid form with the measuring device provided, not a regular kitchen spoon.

If you take an antacid containing aluminum or magnesium, wait at least two hours before or after taking gabapentin. Do not stop taking gabapentin suddenly without talking to your doctor, since this can cause withdrawal symptoms or more seizures. Continue taking gabapentin even if you feel well, since it controls but does not cure the underlying condition.

Different brands and forms of gabapentin are not interchangeable; use only the exact product and strength your doctor prescribed.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet
• Capsule
• Extended-release tablet
• Oral solution (liquid)

Side effects of Gabapentin Tablet

Common

• Feeling tired or weak
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever
• Difficulty speaking
• Memory problems
• Weight gain
• Coordination problems, unsteadiness, tremors, or jerky movements
• Unusual eye movements or double vision
• Swelling in the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• Diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, or heartburn
• Increased appetite
• Back or joint pain
• Flu-like symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, cough, or sore throat

Serious

• Signs of an allergic reaction such as rash, hives, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or trouble breathing or swallowing
• New or worsening depression, anxiety, agitation, irritability, panic attacks, aggressive or violent behavior, or thoughts of suicide or self-harm
• Signs of liver problems such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, light-colored stools, or unusual bleeding or bruising
• Signs of kidney problems such as trouble urinating, changes in urine amount, blood in urine, or swelling from fluid retention
• Bluish color of the lips, nail beds, fingers, or toes, along with severe tiredness or weakness and unexpected muscle pain
• Confusion, unusual dizziness or lightheadedness, slowed or shallow breathing, or being unresponsive
• Increased seizures
• A serious skin reaction with rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, and severe weakness

Warnings and precautions

• Gabapentin can cause serious, life-threatening breathing problems, especially in people with lung disease, older adults, or when combined with other drugs that cause drowsiness.
• Some people have thoughts of suicide while taking gabapentin or after stopping it, so watch closely for mood or behavior changes.
• Stopping gabapentin suddenly can cause seizures or withdrawal symptoms, so never stop without talking to your doctor first.
• Gabapentin can cause sleepiness, sedation, and dizziness, so avoid driving or hazardous activities until you know how it affects you.
• Different brands of gabapentin are not interchangeable, so use only the exact brand and form your doctor prescribed.
• Children taking gabapentin may have behavior changes, including hostility, hyperactivity, or trouble concentrating, so watch closely and avoid risky activities until you know how it affects them.
• It is not known if gabapentin can harm an unborn baby, so talk with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant so you can decide together whether to continue the medicine.
• Gabapentin does pass into breast milk, so talk with your doctor about the risks and options before breastfeeding.
• People with kidney disease or who are on dialysis need special care, since the dose may need to be adjusted based on kidney function.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking gabapentin, since it can increase sleepiness, dizziness, and other dangerous effects.
• Do not drive, operate machinery, or do other activities that require alertness until you know how gabapentin affects you.

Storage

• Store at 20–25°C (68–77°F) at controlled room temperature.
• Keep in a cool, dry place away from excessive heat.
• Protect tablets from moisture and direct sunlight.
• Keep in the original, tightly closed container until use.
• Avoid storing in bathrooms or other hot and humid areas.
• Keep out of reach and sight of children.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away for signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or trouble breathing or swallowing.
• Seek emergency care if breathing becomes very slow, has long pauses, or if lips turn blue, or if the person is very hard to wake up.
• Call your doctor right away for any new or worsening mood or behavior changes, including thoughts of suicide, aggression, or severe agitation.
• Seek immediate medical attention if you experience confusion, unusual dizziness or lightheadedness, slowed or shallow breathing, or you cannot be woken up.
• If someone may have taken too much gabapentin, get emergency medical help right away, since an overdose can be fatal.
• Call your doctor if a child taking gabapentin shows behavior changes, memory problems, trouble concentrating, or becomes restless, hostile, or aggressive.

Alternatives

• Oxcarbazepine
• Carbamazepine
• Amitriptyline
• Duloxetine
• Pregabalin