Side effects
A small percentage of people who take anticonvulsants for any condition (such as seizures, bipolar disorder, or pain) may experience depression, suicidal thoughts or attempts, or other mental or mood issues. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. It's possible to experience fatigue, loss of coordination, drowsiness, blurred or double vision, unusual eye movements, or shaking (tremor). If you experience any very serious side effects, such as shallow or slow breathing, seek immediate medical attention. But if you experience any serious allergic reaction symptoms, such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, rash, itching or swelling (especially of the face, tongue, or throat), extreme dizziness, or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention right away. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if any of these effects last longer than expected or get worse. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. Call your doctor in the US for medical advice regarding side effects. The side effects of this medication are generally not severe in users. You should keep in mind that your doctor prescribed this medication because she or he thought it would benefit you more than it would harm you. Swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet are some unlikely but serious side effects that need to be reported right away to your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you or your family/caregiver notice any unusual/sudden changes in your mood, thoughts, or behavior including signs of depression, suicidal thoughts/attempts, thoughts about harming yourself. The side effects listed here are not all possible side effects. FDA side effects can be reported by phone at 1-800-FDA-1088 or online at www.fda.gov/medwatch. Contact Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345 to report side effects.
Interactions
Orlistat is a drug that could interact with this one. To use those products safely, consult your pharmacist. All of your medications, including allergy and cold/cough remedies, should have their labels read carefully because they may contain drowsiness-inducing ingredients. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Do not combine this medication with other drugs containing gabapentin, such as gabapentin enacarbil. Drug interactions could alter how your medications function or raise the possibility of serious negative side effects. Keep a list of everything you use, including herbal products, prescription and over-the-counter medications, and give it to your doctor and pharmacist. Make sure all of your doctors and the lab staff are aware that you use this medication. View the How to Use section as well. Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you use any other medications, including opioid painkillers (such as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, cannabis (marijuana), sedatives (such as zolpidem, lorazepam, or alprazolam), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine). When this medication is combined with other drugs that can also make you drowsy or have breathing issues, the risk of serious side effects (like slow/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness/dizziness) may increase. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests for urine protein.
Contraindications
You might feel more groggy or faint if you drink alcohol or use marijuana (cannabis). Inform your surgeon or dentist of everything you use, including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal products. Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have any allergies before taking gabapentin, including those to it, gabapentin enacarbil, or other substances. Inform your doctor or pharmacist about all of your medical conditions before taking this medication, especially kidney disease, mental/mood issues (such as depression, suicidal thoughts), drug/alcohol use/abuse, and breathing issues (such as COPD). Children may be more susceptible to this medication's side effects, especially changes in mental/mood/behavior (such as hostility, difficulty concentrating, restlessness). Before breastfeeding, talk to your doctor. With your doctor, go over the advantages and disadvantages. Loss of coordination and dizziness can make falling more likely. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear vision until you can do it safely. This medication should only be taken during pregnancy if absolutely necessary. In the breast milk, gabapentin is excreted. Limit alcoholic beverages. The adverse effects of this medication, particularly swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or breathing that is shallow or slow, dizziness, or loss of coordination, may be more noticeable in older adults. If you use cannabis (marijuana), speak with your doctor. For more information, consult your pharmacist. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or blur your vision. Inactive ingredients in this product could result in allergic reactions or other issues.
The good news is that there are several alternative treatments and therapies that many patients have used to find relief that can minimize the use of medications. 2 Kinds of Drugs Used to Treat Neuropathy The drugs to treat neuropathy fall into 2 classifications: antidepressants and anti-seizure medications, though it is not totally clear why they work for nerve pain. Elayne Goldstein, a 68-year-old retired teacher from Philadelphia, developed numbness and pain “like a knife was slicing my foot” after a knee replacement 2 years ago.
If you are taking this medication three times a day, do not go more than 12 hours between doses. Because of this, it’s very important to consistently take the pill at the same time every day. While gabapentin can be a powerful medication in helping you to feel better, it does come with many side effects and has the potential to become addictive. For children, the dosage is also based on weight. Take the medication exactly as directed, and keep an open dialogue with your doctor as you progress with treatment.
The medications, known generically as gabapentin and pregabalin, are among the most prescribed in the U.S. While the nerve drugs are not FDA-approved for conventional muscle and joint pain, doctors frequently prescribe them for those uses and others, including treatment of migraines and psychiatric conditions. While drugmakers are required to report problems to the FDA, it's voluntary for doctors and patients. U.S. health regulators are warning that popular nervous system medications can cause dangerous breathing problems when combined with opioids and certain other drugs.
No allergic reactions have been reported except for a few instances of rash. People with hard to control seizures may need doses of up to 4800 mg. daily to achieve control. Flatulence (gas), diarrhea and myoclonic jerks may occur at high doses. It does not interact with other antiepileptic drugs or other drugs (such as oral contraceptives) which are metabolized (processed) through the liver. Neurontin (New-RON-tin) is approved in the U.S. as add-on therapy for partial seizures with or without secondary generalization (spread to become a grand mal seizure).
You should know: The answer above provides general health information that is not intended to replace medical advice or treatment recommendations from a qualified healthcare professional. Gabapentin or Neurontin is usually used to treat seizures, neuropathic pain and other types of pain but like other drugs its uses have been steadily expanding. So while Gabapentin does not appear to be used as a muscle relaxer per se much it could have muscle relaxing effects. It can also be effective in assisting deep sleep which again suggests it could have relaxant effects. Gabapentin is now also used to treat pain and muscle spasticity in multiple sclerosis which suggests it could have muscle relaxing effects.