Tag: gabapentin

Is gabapentin safe for cats?

Gabapentin is safe for cats and is commonly prescribed by veterinarians to treat pain, anxiety, and feline hyperesthesia syndrome. It has a low risk of side effects when taken at the correct dosage. Mild sedation and lethargy are the most common side effects but these tend to get better with continued dosing.

What is gabapentin used for in cats?

Gabapentin can reduce chronic pain caused by conditions such as arthritis or cancer. It may be used to treat pain associated with intervertebral disk disease.

Gabapentin is commonly used as a mild sedative to treat situational anxiety, for example, just before a vet visit, or for cats who are fearful around people or other animals.

It can help manage feline hyperesthesia syndrome. This is an area of extreme sensitivity on a cat’s skin, which is almost always on the back, typically in the area right in front of the tail.

Gabapentin can also help manage seizures in cats, in addition to other medications.

Using gabapentin in cats and other pets is considered “off-label” which means it is not an FDA-approved indication in pets.

How does gabapentin work in cats?

Experts aren’t sure exactly how gabapentin works to relieve pain, anxiety, or feline hypersensitivity syndrome but it is thought to inhibit the release of excitatory neurotransmitters. Gabapentin resembles a naturally occurring inhibitory neurotransmitter called GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid), which is involved with the transmission of nerve signals within the brain and spinal cord.

How much gabapentin should I give my cat?

Dosages of gabapentin for cats can vary depending on their age, weight, and what health issue they are suffering from. The usual dosages for pain in cats are 1.5 to 5mg per pound every 12 hours. For seizures, it is 2.5 to 5mg per pound every 8 to 12 hours. Some cats may be prescribed 10mg per pound every 6 hours.

Higher dosages may be prescribed occasionally by your vet.

Dosage Chart Gabapentin In Cats
Cat weight Low dose (1.5mg/lb) High dose (5mg/lb)
4lb (1.8kg) 6mg 20mg
6lb (2.7kg) 9mg 30mg
10lb (4.5kg) 15mg 50mg
15lb (6.8kg) 22.5mg 75mg
25lb (11.3kg) 37.5mg 125mg

How long does gabapentin take to work?

Gabapentin is quick acting, and an effect should be noticed one to two hours after administration when used to relieve situational anxiety. However, when gabapentin is used to treat pain, a low dosage is started initially, which is then titrated up slowly, which means it may take longer to see an effect. While your vet is titrating up the dosage, they will be using other medications to keep your cat comfortable until the gabapentin is working. When used to treat seizures gabapentin may take a few weeks to reduce seizure frequency.

The effects of gabapentin wear off quickly unless the cat has kidney or liver disease. This is why it is usually given two to three times a day.

How long can a cat stay on gabapentin?

There is no maximum time for a cat to remain on gabapentin. Some older cats will stay on it for the rest of their life as part of a management plan for arthritis pain.

What are the side effects of gabapentin in cats?

The most common side effect of gabapentin in cats is sedation, drowsiness, and lethargy which can be managed by starting with a low dosage of gabapentin and increasing it slowly. Most cats become tolerant of this side effect with continued dosing. Other side effects may include:

When starting gabapentin your cat may also seem a little uncoordinated initially, but this should also resolve with continued dosing. Sometimes, a cat may gain weight or develop diarrhea. Rarely, a cat may be allergic to gabapentin and they may have a reaction which is a sign to avoid giving gabapentin to your cat in the future.

Xylitol is used to sweeten commercially prepared gabapentin oral suspension and while this can be toxic to dogs, cats usually tolerate it well.

How does gabapentin make a cat feel?

Gabapentin makes your cat feel a little sleepy and possibly a little uncoordinated initially. They should become tolerant to these effects within a few days, especially if the dosage is started low and titrated up slowly.

Does gabapentin make cats sleepy?

Yes, gabapentin can make your cat sleepy initially but by starting with a small dose and gradually titrating it upwards, your cat should become tolerant to this effect.

Can gabapentin cause diarrhea or constipation in cats?

Gabapentin may cause diarrhea in some cats, but it does not usually cause vomiting or constipation unless it is being used at high dosages. If your cat develops any of these side effects, call your veterinarian.

Can I overdose my cat on gabapentin?

Although gabapentin is generally well tolerated in cats, like any medication, you can give too much of it. Always follow your vet’s instructions and never try to increase the dosage yourself without their advice.

Symptoms of an overdose of gabapentin in cats include severe diarrhea, extreme sleepiness, lethargy, and incoordination; however, an overdose is not usually fatal. Seek veterinary advice immediately.

Do cats need to be weaned off gabapentin?

If gabapentin is being used to treat seizures in cats, then it should be tapered off slowly over a couple of weeks after long-term use and not abruptly discontinued because it can precipitate seizures.

Is gabapentin safe for dogs?

Gabapentin is safe for dogs and is commonly prescribed by veterinarians to treat seizures, pain, and anxiety in dogs. It has a low risk of side effects.

What is gabapentin used for in dogs?

Gabapentin can treat and reduce the frequency of seizures and is commonly used as an anticonvulsant to treat or prevent seizures in dogs.

Gabapentin may also be used to provide pain relief for dogs, particularly when other medications have proved ineffective or are not well tolerated. It may be used to treat pain associated with cancer, arthritis, or intervertebral disk disease.

Gabapentin is commonly used as a mild sedative to treat situational anxiety, for example, just before a vet visit.

Using gabapentin in pets is considered “off-label” which means it is not an FDA-approved indication in pets.

How does gabapentin work in dogs?

Experts aren’t sure exactly how gabapentin works to relieve seizures, pain, or anxiety but it is thought to inhibit the release of excitatory neurotransmitters. Gabapentin resembles a naturally occurring inhibitory neurotransmitter called GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid), which is involved with the transmission of nerve signals within the brain and spinal cord.

How much gabapentin should I give my dog?

Dosages of gabapentin for dogs can vary, but usually, gabapentin is dosed at 5 to 30 mg/kg (or 2.2 to 13.6mg/lb) up to three times daily.

 

Dosage Chart of Gabapentin For Dogs (Low-Dose)
Dog’s weight Low dose (5mg/kg)
5kg 25mg
7.5kg 37.5mg
10kg 50mg
12.5kg 62.5mg
15kg 75mg
17.5kg 87.5mg
20kg 100mg
25kg 125mg
30kg 150mg
40kg 200mg
50kg 250mg
60kg 300mg

 

Dosage Chart of Gabapentin For Dogs (High-Dose)
Dog’s weight High-dose (30mg/kg)
5kg 150mg
7.5kg 225mg
10kg 300mg
12.5kg 375mg
15kg 450mg
17.5kg 525mg
20kg 600mg
25kg 750mg
30kg 900mg
40kg 1200mg
50kg 1500mg
60kg 1800mg

Gabapentin can also be given before an anticipated stressful event, such as a veterinary visit, at a dose of 30-60 mg/kg one to two hours before the event.

How long does gabapentin take to work?

Gabapentin is quick acting, and an effect should be noticed one to two hours after administration. However, when gabapentin is used to treat pain, a low dosage is started initially, which is then titrated up slowly, which means it may take longer to see an effect. While your vet is titrating up the dosage, they will be using other medications to keep your dog comfortable until the gabapentin is working. When used to treat seizures gabapentin may take a few weeks to reduce seizure frequency.

The effects of gabapentin wear off quickly unless the dog has kidney or liver disease. This is why it is usually given three times a day.

How long can a dog stay on gabapentin?

There is no maximum time for a dog to remain on gabapentin. Some older dogs will stay on it for the rest of their life as part of a management plan for arthritis.

What are the side effects of giving a dog gabapentin?

The most common side effect of gabapentin in dogs is drowsiness, which can be managed by starting with a low dosage of gabapentin and increasing it slowly. Most dogs become tolerant of this side effect with continued dosing.

When starting gabapentin your dog may also seem a little uncoordinated initially, but this should also resolve with continued dosing. Rarely, a dog may be allergic to gabapentin and they may have a reaction which is a sign to avoid giving gabapentin to your dog in the future.

Xylitol is used to sweeten commercially prepared gabapentin oral suspension and this can be toxic to dogs. Low-to-moderate dosages of gabapentin oral suspension are unlikely to contain enough xylitol to be problematic for dogs but higher dosages, such as those used for seizures, might. This can be avoided by having liquid formulations compounded rather than using the commercially available oral suspension.

How does gabapentin make a dog feel?

Gabapentin makes your dog feel a little sleepy and possibly a little uncoordinated initially. They should become tolerant to these effects within a few days, especially if the dosage is started low and titrated up slowly.

Does gabapentin make dogs sleepy?

Yes, gabapentin can make your dog sleepy initially but by starting with a small dose and gradually titrating it upwards, your dog should become tolerant to this effect.

Can gabapentin cause diarrhea or constipation in dogs?

Vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation is not a common side effect of gabapentin unless it is being used at high dosages. If your dog develops any of these side effects, call your veterinarian.

Can gabapentin cause hind leg weakness in dogs?

Hind leg weakness may be a sign of incoordination in dogs, usually associated with too high a dose of gabapentin. If your dog has been on gabapentin a long time and this happens, tell your veterinarian. As pets age, their bodies are not as efficient at metabolizing gabapentin and side effects, such as incoordination may reappear again, especially hind leg weakness. Usually reducing the dosage helps resolve this.

Can I overdose my dog on gabapentin?

Although gabapentin is generally well tolerated in dogs, like any medication, you can give too much of it. Always follow your vet’s instructions and never try to increase the dosage yourself without their advice.

Symptoms of an overdose of gabapentin in dogs include diarrhea, extreme sleepiness, lethargy, and incoordination; however, an overdose is not usually fatal. Seek veterinary advice immediately.

Do dogs need to be weaned off gabapentin?

If gabapentin is being used to treat seizures in dogs then it should be tapered off slowly over a couple of weeks after long-term use and not abruptly discontinued because it can precipitate seizures.

What can I give my dog instead of gabapentin?

Gabapentin is commonly used to treat nerve pain in dogs but there may be times when a dog does not tolerate it or it no longer effectively treats the pain. Other treatments that may be effective for nerve pain in dogs include:

  • Pregabalin (Lyrica): this works similarly to gabapentin but it lasts longer which means it only needs to be given twice a day and it is more effective at a lower dosage
  • Amantadine works by blocking NMDA receptors in the spinal cord and may improve your dog’s mobility when used in addition to NSAIDs

Other possible treatments that require more research include amitriptyline and venlafaxine.

How does gabapentin make you feel?

Gabapentin may make you feel a little drowsy, dizzy, or clumsy when you first start taking it. You may feel like your thinking is slower. These are common side effects of gabapentin, but they usually get better as your body adjusts to the medication. These reactions are more common if you need to take a high dose. But if you do feel dizzy, unsteady, or drowsy, avoid any activities — such as driving or operating machinery — that could be dangerous.

Many people don’t feel any different when they first start taking gabapentin. Gabapentin is used to treat seizures, nerve pain, and the symptoms of restless legs syndrome. If gabapentin works for you, you may feel relief from these symptoms. Some people may also feel more anxious, irritable, depressed, angry, excited, or reckless when they first start gabapentin.

In rare cases (less than 1%), you may have feelings of death or suicide.

Gabapentin can cause other side effects that include:

  • Headache
  • Weakness
  • Uncontrollable shaking
  • Memory problems
  • Uncontrolled eye movement
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dry mouth
  • Increased appetite
  • Heartburn
  • Ear, back or joint pain
  • Flu-like symptoms.

Your doctor may warn you about these possible side effects and others that can affect the way you feel. Always let someone know right away if you have thoughts of death or suicide.

If gabapentin changes the way you feel in strange or unusual ways, or causes any side effects, do not stop gabapentin on your own. Tell your doctor.

Stopping suddenly may cause a withdrawal reaction that is uncomfortable and can include anxiety, insomnia, nausea, sweating, and pain. If you are taking gabapentin to prevent seizures, stopping gabapentin suddenly may increase your risk for a seizure.

Suicidal Behavior and Ideation of Taking Gabapentin

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), including NEURONTIN, increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Patients treated with any AED for any  indication should be monitored for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or any unusual changes in mood or behavior.


Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical trials (mono- and adjunctive therapy) of 11 different AEDs showed that patients randomized to one of the AEDs had approximately twice the risk (adjusted Relative Risk 1.8, 95% CI:1.2, 2.7) of suicidal thinking or behavior comparedto patients randomized to placebo. In these trials, which had a median treatment duration of 12 weeks, the estimated incidence rate of suicidal behavior or ideation among 27,863 AED-treated patients was 0.43%, compared to 0.24% among 16,029 placebo-treated patients, representing an increase of approximately one case of suicidal thinking or behavior for every 530 patients treated. There were four suicides in drug-treated patients in the trials and none in placebo-treated patients, but the number is too small to allow any conclusion about drug effect on suicide.

The increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior with AEDs was observed as early as one week after starting drug treatment with AEDs and persisted for the duration of treatment
assessed. Because most trials included in the analysis did not extend beyond 24 weeks, the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior beyond 24 weeks could not be assessed.

The risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior was generally consistent among drugs in the data analyzed. The finding of increased risk with AEDs of varying mechanisms of action and across a range of indications suggests that the risk applies to all AEDs used for any indication. The risk did not vary substantially by age (5-100 years) in the clinical trials analyzed.

Rare Side Effects of Gabapentin

Gabapentin can cause some rare but serious side effects. While these are uncommon, people should be aware of them and seek medical attention if needed.

Consult a doctor right away if you experience any of these behavioral changes:

  • suicidal thoughts or behavior
  • violent behavior, aggressiveness, or anger
  • anxiety that is worse or new
  • depression that is worse or new
  • irritability that is worse or new
  • hallucinations
  • mania
  • panic attacks

Gabapentin can also affect specific parts of the body and cause serious but rare side effects. These include:

Kidney abnormalities

A person may experience symptoms related to kidney abnormalities, such as:

  • a change in how much urine they produce
  • trouble urinating
  • blood in the urine
  • weight gain
  • swelling in the legs or feet from fluid retention

Other abnormalities

A person may experience:

  • severe fatigue, tiredness, or weakness
  • unexpected muscle pain
  • long-lasting stomach pain
  • skin color with a bluish tint on the lips, nail beds, toes, or fingers

Allergic reaction

Gabapentin can cause a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to gabapentin include:

  • a skin rash
  • hives
  • wheezing or difficulty breathing
  • tightness in the chest or throat
  • fever
  • gland swelling that does not go away
  • swelling of the face, lips, throat, or tongue

Call your doctor right away if you experience signs of an allergic reaction to gabapentin. Call 911 if these symptoms appear life threatening.

Does gabapentin help treat nerve pain?

Gabapentin can help relieve nerve pain in some people with postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain after shingles) and peripheral diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain in the feet in people with diabetes). A Cochrane review reported that 3 to 4 patients out of every 10 with either of these conditions experienced at least a 50% reduction in pain intensity when prescribed gabapentin at dosages of 1800mg-3600 mg/day (gabapentin encarbil: 1200mg-3600 mg/day). This compared with only 1 or 2 out of every 10 given a placebo (an inactive treatment). People who had an improvement in pain relief with gabapentin are also expected to experience an improvement in sleep, fatigue, and in their mood.

This same Cochrane review reported that over half of those treated with gabapentin did not experience any worthwhile pain relief, but did experience side effects.

What type of nerve pain is gabapentin approved to treat?

Gabapentin is approved to treat nerve pain (neuralgia) that results from nerve damage. Gabapentin may be used to treat:

  • Nerve pain caused by a herpes zoster viral infection, also known as shingles. This pain is called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), and it can be severe and chronic
  • Nerve pain as a result of diabetic neuropathy, which happens when nerves in the feet damaged by diabetes cause chronic burning pain.

How does gabapentin work in nerve pain?

The exact way that gabapentin works to relieve pain is not known. It may change the way the body senses and reacts to pain. Gabapentin is used to manage long-term (chronic) pain, not to be taken for pain as needed. Chronic pain can interfere with sleep and work, and lead to depression.

How quickly does gabapentin work?

Studies show that pain relief may start within one week and reach a maximum effect in about 4 weeks. It can take this long because gabapentin is usually started at a low dose and gradually increased over time until it works.

For treating neuralgia, gabapentin is often started at 300 mg per day and gradually raised by 300 mg per day. One 2017 review of 37 studies found that pain relief usually occurs at a dose of 1,200 mg or more.

The same review compared gabapentin to an inactive medicine (placebo) in almost 6,000 adults with chronic pain from PHN or diabetic neuropathy. Study participants were given either gabapentin or a placebo for 4 to at least 12 weeks. The results showed that 30-40% of people taking gabapentin were able to reduce their pain by half or more, compared to 10-20% of people taking the placebo.

Although some people may get significant relief, others may have side effects without relief of pain. More than half of people taking gabapentin did not get significant relief and had side effects from the drug.

According to the review, about 60% of people taking gabapentin had side effects, including:

  • Dizziness
  • Sleepiness
  • Water retention (edema)
  • Clumsiness while walking (ataxia)

It does not typically make pain worse: In trials comparing gabapentin side effects to placebo side effects, only 1% of people reported increased pain, and this was the same for gabapentin and placebo.

Once you find the dose that relieves neuralgia for you, it is important not to stop taking it suddenly. Stopping suddenly can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as:

  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Nausea
  • Pain
  • Sweating

Is Gabapentin Considered a Painkiller?

Gabapentin is commonly used to treat some types of nerve pain but is classified as an anticonvulsant medicine, not as an opioid or painkiller.

Gabapentin was first approved in 1993 and is used to treat:

  • postherpetic neuralgia, a nerve pain caused by the shingles virus (herpes zoster),
  • restless legs syndrome (RLS), a painful movement disorder in the legs
  • partial seizures in adults and children at least 3 years old who have epilepsy

Gabapentin works by affecting chemicals and nerves in the body that are involved in the cause of seizures and in some types of nerve pain.

Gabapentin is not a federally-controlled drug substance and does not contain an opioid (narcotic) medication. However, gabapentin misuse and abuse has been reported, and it may be restricted in some states through their state drug-monitoring program. Gabapentin abuse can boost the high a person gets from opioid painkillers, muscle relaxants, and anxiety medications. This can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening.

In 2019, the FDA issued an alert that serious breathing problems have been reported with gabapentin and other related drugs, like Lyrica (pregabalin) in people at risk of slowed breathing.

  • This includes people who use opioid pain medicine or CNS depressants, people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, and the elderly.
  • These serious breathing problems may be fatal.
  • Read more about this serious FDA warning here.

Avoid or limit the use of alcohol (in beverages or medicines) with gabapentin as it can worsen drowsiness or dizziness. Ask you doctor about drinking alcohol while you are taking gabapentin.

What type of pain does gabapentin treat?

Gabapentin is approved by the FDA to treat:

Postherpetic neuralgia: nerve pain that can occur due to an outbreak of shingles. Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, occurs when the chicken pox virus deep-seated in your nerve activates again later in life and causes a serious skin rash. Not everyone gets postherpetic neuralgia from shingles, but it can be painful if you do. It causes a burning nerve pain that lasts for months, or even years, after the rash and blisters have cleared up.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS): an uncontrollable urge to move your legs around, often at night. This is usually due to leg discomfort. It may occur most often when you are sitting, laying down, or during bedtime. It can be disruptful to sleep and travel. It is thought RLS may occur due to an imbalance of the chemical dopamine in the brain.

Gabapentin has also been used off-label for the treatment of other types of neuropathic (nerve) pain like peripheral diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia and trigeminal neuralgia. “Off-label” uses of gabapentin are uses that have not been approved by the FDA and are not found in the package insert, but may have been accepted for use by healthcare providers based on clinical use.

How does gabapentin come?

There are several brand names of gabapentin including Gralise, Horizant, and Neurontin. Use only the brand and form of gabapentin your doctor has prescribed.

Gralise (gabapentin) is indicated for the management of postherpetic neuralgia only. It is not used for epilepsy. Gralise comes as a 300 and 600 milligram (mg) extended-release (ER) tablet and in a 30-day starter pack of 78 tablets. A generic option is not yet available.

Horizant (gabapentin enacarbil) is used in adults to treat either nerve pain due to postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) or restless legs syndrome (RLS). Horizont is also an extended-release 300 mg or 600 mg tablet and is not interchangeable with other gabapentin products. A generic option is not yet available.

Neurontin (gabapentin) is an immediate-release form used to treat seizures in adults and children who are at least 3 years old, in addition to nerve pain due to shingles. It comes as 100, 300, or 400 mg oral capsules; 600 mg and 800 mg oral tablets, and as a 250 mg per 5 mL oral solution. It is also available as a generic option.

Some brands are only used for certain conditions, and these products may not be interchangeable. Check your medicine each time you get a refill to make sure you have received the correct form.

Some of these medicines may be expensive. Ask your healthcare provider if you are able to use a generic form of gabapentin for your condition (this may not always be possible). Generic options could save you hundreds of dollars each month, or may be less expensive than your insurance copay.

Also, check with the manufacturer who may offer copay cards or patient assistance programs to lessen your overall costs, if you qualify. Be sure to check for online coupons, too, that can save you money on both generics and brands.

To learn more about gabapentin, join the Drugs.com gabapentin Support Group and Q&A Section where you can ask questions, share experiences and keep up with the latest news.

This is not all the information you need to know about gabapentin for safe and effective use and does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your treatment. Review the full gabapentin information here, and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.

What are the effects of Gabapentin on Seniors ?

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.

If a woman takes Gabapentin during pregnancy will it hurt the baby?

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) assigns each medication to a Pregnancy Category according to whether it has been proven to be harmful in pregnancy. Gabapentin is listed in Pregnancy Category C. This indicates that caution is advised, but the benefits of the medicine may outweigh the potential risks. Studies in animals have shown some harm to the baby, but there haven’t been any good studies of results in women.

Talk to your doctor or another health professional if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. We don’t yet have enough information to be able to estimate the risk of various types of birth defects that might occur if gabapentin is taken during pregnancy. We also don’t know enough to compare the risk with gabapentin to the risk with other seizure medicines.

In general, the risk of defects is higher for women who take more than one seizure medicine and for women with a family history of birth defects. Whether this applies to gabapentin is not yet known.

All women who are capable of becoming pregnant should take at least 0.4 mg (400 mcg) of the vitamin called folic acid every day because it helps to prevent one type of birth defect. (The most well-known of these is spina bifida, in which the spinal cord is not completely enclosed.) If the doctor thinks a woman is at especially high risk, a much larger dose of folic acid—4 mg (4000 mcg) per day—may be recommended.

About 20% to 35% of women have seizures more often during pregnancy because of changes in hormones or changes in how their seizure medicine is handled by the body. Even though this may not apply to gabapentin, the doctor may recommend checking the level of medication in the blood regularly during pregnancy so that the dosage can be adjusted as needed.

During breast-feeding, a small amount of the gabapentin will appear in the milk. The effect of this amount on an infant is unknown. If you are taking gabapentin and want to breast-feed your baby, check with your doctor about what seizure medicine would be best for you.

Long-term Side Effects of Taking Gabapentin and What are the most serious side effects ?

The long-term side effects of gabapentin are not known.

What are the most serious side effects of Gabapentin?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to gabapentin: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, upper stomach pain, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Most people who take gabapentin have mild side effects that go away with no lasting harm, or even no side effects at all. Gabapentin appears to be an exceptionally safe medicine. Indeed, no life-threatening reactions have been linked to it.

It is important to remember that only a tiny number of people who take gabapentin have any serious problems. Tell the doctor right away if you notice anything that worries you, but don’t stop using the gabapentin unless the doctor says so.

Remember that it’s not unusual for gabapentin to make people feel a bit sleepy or uncoordinated. If you’ve just started taking gabapentin or have just had your dosage increased, be careful when doing things that could be dangerous (like driving or operating machinery) until you know how it will affect you. Be particularly cautious if you tend to be sensitive to medications.

On July 10, 2008, an advisory panel was convened by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to review data that the FDA had previously collected from drug studies showing an association between many of the antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and suicidal ideation and behavior, which together are called suicidality. According to the FDA’s Alert, among the patients with epilepsy in these drug studies, 1 out of 1000 people taking the placebo (inactive substance) showed suicidality compared to approximately 3.5 out of 1000 people who took an AED. The FDA advisory panel voted to accept the FDA’s data at its meeting on July 10.

Taking antiepileptic medicines may increase the risk of having suicidal thoughts or actions;

  • Do not make any changes to the medication regimen without first talking with the responsible healthcare professional;
  • Pay close attention to any day-to-day changes in mood, behavior and actions. These changes can happen very quickly so it is important to be mindful of any sudden differences.

Be aware of common warning signs that might be a signal for risk of suicide. Some of these are:

  •  Talking or thinking about wanting to hurt yourself or end your life
  •  Withdrawing from friends and family
  •  Becoming depressed or having your depression get worse
  •  Becoming preoccupied with death and dying
  •  Giving away prized possessions