Gabapentin is a prescription drug. It comes as an oral capsule, an immediate-release oral tablet, an extended-release oral tablet, and an oral solution.
Gabapentin oral capsule is available as the brand-name drug Neurontin. It’s also available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version.
Sometimes, the brand-name drug and the generic version may be available in different forms and strengths.
Why it’s used
Gabapentin oral capsule is commonly used to treat the following conditions:
- Seizures: Gabapentin is used to treat partial (focal) seizures. It’s taken together with other seizure medications in adults and children 3 years of age and older who have epilepsy.
- Postherpetic neuralgia: It’s also used to treat pain from nerve damage caused by shingles, a painful rash that affects adults. Shingles appear after infection with the varicella-zoster virus. This virus occurs in people who have had chickenpox.
Gabapentin may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other drugs.
Tips of Taking Gabapentin
- Different brand names and formulations of gabapentin are available, each with specific uses and dosing instructions. Each time you collect your prescription, make sure you have the correct brand or dose.
- You can take Neurontin with or without food, whichever works best for you, it is usually taken three times daily. Try to space your doses evenly throughout the day, and no more than 12 hours apart. If your doctor prescribes 600 mg or 800 mg tablets and you need to break one in half for dosing, be sure to take the other half at your next scheduled dose or within 28 days of breaking it. Don’t store a broken tablet for extended periods.
- Gralise is for once-daily use, taken with food in the evening. Swallow the tablets whole; don’t break, crush, or chew them. Gralise has different dosing requirements than other gabapentin medications and cannot be substituted.
- Horizant is specifically for restless legs syndrome and is usually taken around 5 PM. Swallow the tablets whole with food. Don’t break, crush, or chew them. Don’t switch Horizant with other Gabapentin medications.
- If your doctor prescribes a liquid form, use the measuring cup provided by your manufacturer or pharmacist for accurate dosing. Don’t use kitchen teaspoons or measuring cups.
- Gabapentin can cause drowsiness or dizziness. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or activities requiring alertness until you know how it affects you. It can also increase your risk of falling. Take steps to prevent falls at home, like removing loose rugs. Get immediate medical help if you experience a rash, fever, trouble breathing, or facial swelling while taking gabapentin.
- Don’t abruptly stop taking gabapentin because you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, agitation, confusion, insomnia, nausea, pain, and sweating which may be severe. It should be tapered off slowly under a doctor’s advice. Talk to your doctor about the best way to taper off gabapentin.
- Watch for changes in mood, worsening depression, or suicidal thoughts. Report any concerns to your doctor.
- Don’t take gabapentin with antacids like Maalox or Gaviscon. Take them at least two hours apart.
- Always follow your doctor’s instructions for taking gabapentin. Don’t adjust the dose without their advice.