How does gabapentin

However, it is also essential to control seizures during pregnancy, so pregnant people should only take the drug if it is absolutely necessary. People should never start or stop taking gabapentin for seizure control before talking with a doctor. They will assess the potential risks and benefits. After childbirth, gabapentin passes into breast milk. At low levels, it may not affect the infant. However, it is best to discuss this issue with a doctor before breastfeeding.

People with gabapentin allergies should not take this drug. Also, the medication may contain other ingredients that can trigger allergy symptoms in some people. For this reason, people should discuss all drug and food allergies with a doctor before taking gabapentin. It is important to seek emergency medical treatment if symptoms of a severe allergic reaction occur.

These may include :. Because gabapentin can cause drowsiness, anyone taking this drug should exercise caution while driving or using machinery. People should also avoid alcohol or limit their intake of alcohol while taking gabapentin, as there is a risk of adverse reactions. The number of daily doses, the hours that pass between those doses, and how long a person takes gabapentin will vary among individuals.

A person should take some forms of gabapentin with food, but for other forms, this is not necessary. Anyone who receives a prescription for the Horizant brand of gabapentin for RLS should take it only during the evening or at night. Some brands and dosages require a person to break the tablets in half. Always use the other half with the next dose or as soon as possible. Never break or chew extended-release gabapentin tablets. People should always swallow these whole.

It is vital to take only the recommended dosage of gabapentin and not to continue using it for longer than a doctor prescribes. If a person misses a dose, they should follow the instructions on the label or call a pharmacist for advice. If a person misses a dose of gabapentin, they should take their required dose as soon as they remember.

The only exception is if it is already time to take the next dose. In this case, the person should simply skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the usual time. Doctors prescribe gabapentin to control seizures, treat RLS, and reduce nerve pain. Several types of gabapentin are available, and different forms can treat different medical issues.

The right dosage will vary depending on the condition a person has and several other factors. A doctor can best advise about drug interactions and other safety considerations.

Although gabapentin can cause several adverse reactions, many people experience no serious side effects from this drug. Learn about restless legs syndrome, including common causes, treatments, and home remedies. This article contains the best tips on relieving symptoms. Focal seizures, also called partial seizures, happen when a seizure affects only one part of the brain.

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Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm. Uses Side effects Safety and risks Dosage Summary Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant medication that helps control seizures in people with epilepsy. What do people use gabapentin for? Side effects. Store the oral solution in the refrigerator. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily.

To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them.

However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking gabapentin.

If you use a dipstick to test your urine for protein, ask your doctor which product you should use while taking this medication. Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements.

You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. Gabapentin pronounced as ga' ba pen tin. Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose?

What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Brand names. Swallow the extended-release tablets whole; do not cut, chew, or crush them. Other uses for this medicine. What special precautions should I follow? Before taking gabapentin, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to gabapentin, any other medications, or any of the inactive ingredients in the type of gabapentin you plan to take.

Ask your pharmacist for a list of the inactive ingredients. Ask your doctor to be sure that you are not taking more than one product that contains gabapentin.

Be sure to mention any of the following: antidepressants; antihistamines; medications for anxiety; medications that make you feel dizzy or drowsy; medications for mental illness; naproxen Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn, others ; opioid narcotic medications for pain such as hydrocodone in Hydrocet, in Vicodin, others , morphine Avinza, Kadian, MSIR, others , or oxycodone OxyContin, in Percocet, in Roxicet, others ; sedatives; medications for seizures; sleeping pills, and tranquilizers.

Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. If you will be taking the extended-release tablets, also tell your doctor if you need to sleep during the day and stay awake at night. If you become pregnant while taking gabapentin, call your doctor.

Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you, and your doctor agrees that it is safe for you to begin these activities. Your child may have sudden changes in mood, become hostile or hyperactive, have difficulty concentrating or paying attention, or be drowsy or clumsy. Have your child avoid activities that could be dangerous, such as riding a bicycle, until you know how gabapentin affects him or her.

A small number of adults and children 5 years of age and older about 1 in people who took anticonvulsants such as gabapentin to treat various conditions during clinical studies became suicidal during their treatment. Some of these people developed suicidal thoughts and behavior as early as one week after they started taking the medication.

There is a risk that you may experience changes in your mental health if you take an anticonvulsant medication such as gabapentin, but there may also be a risk that you will experience changes in your mental health if your condition is not treated. You and your doctor will decide whether the risks of taking an anticonvulsant medication are greater than the risks of not taking the medication. You, your family, or your caregiver should call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: panic attacks; agitation or restlessness; new or worsening irritability, anxiety, or depression; acting on dangerous impulses; difficulty falling or staying asleep; aggressive, angry, or violent behavior; mania frenzied, abnormally excited mood ; talking or thinking about wanting to hurt yourself or end your life; withdrawing from friends and family; preoccupation with death and dying; giving away prized possessions; or any other unusual changes in behavior or mood.

Be sure that your family or caregiver knows which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor if you are unable to seek treatment on your own. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet. Gabapentin may cause side effects.