Gabapentin, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antiseizure; analgesic

Generic and brand names: gabapentin, oral; Neurontin

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is an antiseizure medicine with analgesic (pain killing) action. It is taken by mouth to treat certain types of seizures in adults with epilepsy. It is also used to treat partial seizures in children 3 to 12 years of age. This medicine may be used to relieve pain in adults caused by herpes zoster (shingles). It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• kidney disease

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Your healthcare provider will adjust your dosage until you receive maximum benefit with minimum risk. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions carefully.

This medicine may be taken with or without food. Take this medicine 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take an antacid.

This medicine comes in the form of tablets, capsules, or an oral solution. If you are using the solution, be sure to use a special measuring spoon or cup to measure the correct dose.

If you are taking other medicines for epilepsy, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to write out a schedule for all of your medicines.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: double vision, drowsiness, slurred speech, diarrhea, lack of coordination, trouble breathing.

What should I watch out for?

Antiseizure medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some people. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have new or increased thoughts of suicide.

This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine. Suddenly stopping could cause your seizures to become more frequent and more severe.

If you have seizures one right after another, contact your healthcare provider right away.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe or continuous seizures; irregular heartbeat; loss of coordination; sudden mood changes.

Other: Drowsiness;, dizziness; tremors; nervousness; double vision, blurred vision, or other eye problems; swelling of hands or feet; nausea; vomiting; dry mouth; muscle pain.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antacids such as Maalox and Mylanta. Take doses of antacids and this medicine at least 2 hours apart.
• antianxiety medicines such as clonazepam (Klonopin), alprazolam (Xanax), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and oxazepam (Serax)
• antidepressants such as trazodone (Desyrel), amitriptyline, nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), and doxepin (Sinequan)
• antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), and clemastine (Tavist)
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• herbal remedies such as evening primrose, valerian, St. John's wort, kava, ginkgo, and gotu kola
• muscle relaxants such as tizanidine (Zanaflex), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), carisoprodol (Soma), methocarbamol (Robaxin), dantrolene Dantrium), and baclofen (Lioresal)
• narcotic analgesics (painkillers) such as codeine, hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), oxycodone (Percocet, Tylox, OxyContin), propoxyphene (Darvocet N-100), meperidine (Demerol), fentanyl (Duragesic, Actiq), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), and morphine (MS Contin, Kadian, Avinza)
• sedatives such as phenobarbital (Solfoton), amobarbital (Amytal), zolpidem (Ambien), triazolam (Halcion), butabarbital (Butisol), and zaleplon (Sonata)

Do not drink alcohol unless your healthcare provider approves.

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

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