Description
Gabapentin: What is it?
Gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise, Horizant) is a medication used to treat restless legs syndrome, shingles-related nerve discomfort, and partial seizures. It affects your brain’s and nerves’ chemical messages. Gabapentin belongs to a class of medications known as anticonvulsants.
Pain from shingles (postherpetic nerve pain) can be treated with Neurontin (gabapentin). For patients three years of age and up, it is also used in conjunction with other seizure medications to treat partial onset seizures. Only discomfort following shingles (postherpetic nerve pain) is treated with Gralise (gabapentin). Use of it for any other medical condition is not advised.
How should Gabapentin be taken?
If you move to a new brand, strength, or form of this medication, your dosage requirements may also change. Use only the medications prescribed by your doctor to avoid medication errors. Take the remaining half at your subsequent dose if you break a tablet and only take half of it. Broken tablets should be utilized within a few days or as soon as feasible. Take the Gralise and Horizant tablets whole. Never shatter, crush, or dissolve them. Do not chew, break, crush, or open the capsule; instead, swallow it whole. Gabapentin should not be abruptly stopped. Abruptly stopping could result in further seizures. When it comes to tapering your dosage, heed your doctor’s advice. The outcomes of some medical tests may be impacted by this medication. Inform every medical professional you see that you take gabapentin. Depending on the results of your frequent kidney function tests, your dosage may need to be adjusted. Tablets and capsules should be kept at room temperature, away from heat sources and moisture. Avoid freezing the liquid medication; instead, keep it refrigerated.
Prior to using this medication
If you have an allergy to gabapentin, you should avoid taking it. Tell your doctor if you have ever experienced any of the following to ensure that this medication is safe for you: respiratory issues; diabetes; depression, a mood condition, or thoughts or behaviors that are suicidal; consume alcoholic beverages; a history of substance abuse; a convulsion; (RLS sufferers) whether you work nights or are a day sleeper; or kidney illness, or if you are receiving dialysis. While taking medication for seizures, some patients experience suicidal thoughts. Gabapentin may cause behavioral abnormalities in children. Keep an eye out for any changes in your symptoms or mood. Your caregivers or family members should also keep an eye out for any unexpected behavioral changes. Gabapentin’s potential to damage an unborn child is unknown. If you are or intend to become pregnant, let your doctor know. During pregnancy, never begin or discontinue taking seizure medication without first consulting your doctor. Pregnancy-related seizures can be harmful to both the mother and the unborn child. If you become pregnant, let your doctor know.
Warnings
If you already have a breathing disorder or use other medications that slow your breathing or make you drowsy, gabapentin may cause life-threatening breathing complications. In the event that your breathing is really slow, get emergency care. While taking medication for seizures, some patients experience suicidal thoughts. Keep an eye out for any changes in your symptoms or mood. Any unexpected changes in mood or behavior, or suicidal thoughts, should be immediately reported to your doctor.
Information on dosage
Typical Adult Epilepsy Dosage: The initial dosage is 300 mg taken orally on day one, twice daily on day two, and three times daily on day three. Maintenance dosage: three times a day, 300–600 mg taken orally Maximum dosage: 3600 mg taken orally three times a day in three separate doses -The maximum interval between dosages in the three-time-daily regimen should not be more than twelve hours. The typical dosage for postherpetic neuralgia in adults: -The starting dosage is 300 mg taken orally on day one, twice daily on day two, and three times daily on day three. -Titrate up to relieve discomfort as necessary. -Daily maximum dosage: 1800 mg (600 mg taken orally three times a day) Gralise is the trade name for gabapentin. -Maintenance dose: Gralise should be taken once day with dinner at a quantity of 1800 mg. The suggested timetable for titration: Day 1: Take 300 mg by mouth with dinner. Day 2: 600 mg taken orally with dinner On days three through six, take 900 mg orally with dinner. Days 7–10: 1200 mg taken orally with dinner Days 11–14: 1500 milligrams taken orally with dinner. Day 15: 1800 mg taken orally with dinner Horizant is the brand name under which gabapentin enacarbil extended release pills are sold. -600 mg taken orally twice daily is the recommended dosage. For three days, the recommended starting dose for therapy is 600 mg taken orally in the morning.
What would happen if I took too much?
Slow breathing, double vision, tremor, slurred speech, drowsiness, mental changes, dizziness, fatigue, or diarrhea are some of the signs of an overdose.
The adverse effects of gabapentin
If you experience a severe medication reaction that affects several body areas, get medical help. Skin rash, fever, enlarged glands, muscle aches, extreme weakness, odd bruises, or yellowing of the skin or eyes are some of the symptoms.
Your breathing may be slowed or stopped by gabapentin, particularly if you have recently taken alcohol or narcotic medications. If you have blue lips, slow breathing with prolonged pauses, or difficulty waking up, your caregiver should get you emergency medical help.
Serious adverse effects are possible with gabapentin. Make an immediate call to your physician if you have: weakness, lightheadedness, and sleepiness; issues with muscle mobility or balance
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