Doctors have prescribed gabapentin for many people over 65 with good results. Many of these prescriptions are to treat conditions other than epilepsy, and some are prescribed for seniors who have experienced only one seizure.
Because gabapentin generally does not interact with other medicines, it can be a good choice for seniors who also are being treated for other disorders. One exception is that antacids like Maalox reduce the absorption of gabapentin and should not be used within 2 hours of a dose of gabapentin.
Seniors also tend to be more sensitive than younger adults to medicines and their side effects. For instance, many seniors have a problem with sleepiness or poor coordination even before they start taking gabapentin. These are common side effects of this medicine, so these problems may become worse and cause real trouble.
Seniors also face more danger from these side effects because they are more likely to be seriously hurt if they fall or have another kind of accident.
To reduce side effects, the doctor probably will prescribe a low dose of gabapentin to start and then be very cautious about any increases. It’s especially important for seniors to keep the doctor informed about any changes that they notice.