Neurontin (Gabapentin)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Neurontin Used For?
Neurontin contains gabapentin and belongs to a group of medicines called anticonvulsants. It helps control brain chemicals that send signals to nerves.
Primary Uses
Neurontin is used to control epilepsy (repeated seizures or fits) and treat neuropathic pain, which is pain caused by nerve damage. Your doctor may prescribe it alongside other medicines if your current treatment isn’t working as well.
How It Works
This medicine works by controlling brain chemicals that send signals to nerves, helping to control seizures or neuropathic pain. Neurontin also has pain-relieving effects.
Dependence Risk: Neurontin may lead to dependence on this medicine and poses risks of abuse and dependence.
How to Take Neurontin
Your doctor will determine how many capsules or tablets you need each day based on your age, condition, and other medicines you’re taking. Start with a low dose and slowly increase as directed.
Dosage Instructions
Swallow Neurontin whole with a full glass of water. Tablets can be divided in half along the breakline if advised by your doctor. Take at the same time each day for best effect. If taking three times daily, don’t allow more than 12 hours between doses. Can be taken with or without food.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. If it’s almost time for your next dose (within 4 hours), skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose – this may increase your chance of side effects.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Headache
- Sleeplessness
- Feeling tired or drowsy
- Unfriendliness
- Unusually overactive behavior
- Forgetfulness, loss of concentration, confusion
- Difficulty speaking
- Weight changes
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Nausea, vomiting, indigestion
- Dry mouth, red swollen gums
- Muscle pain, cramps, back pain
- Swelling of hands or feet
- Runny or blocked nose
- Fever, bronchitis, lung infection
- Sore throat, coughing
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Unusual changes in mood or behavior
- Increased irritability or agitation
- Depression
- Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there
- Blurred or double vision
- Uncontrollable jerky eye movements
- Difficulty seeing
- Fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers
- Trouble breathing
- Loss of consciousness
- Severe seizures
- Chest pain, fast heart rate
- Sudden signs of allergy
- Severe skin rash including Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- High body temperature with enlarged lymph nodes
- More frequent or severe seizures
Important Warnings
There are several important safety considerations before taking Neurontin. Always inform your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions and medications.
Who Should Not Take Neurontin
Don’t take Neurontin if you’re allergic to gabapentin or any ingredients listed. Don’t take if the package is expired or damaged. Not recommended for children under 3 years for epilepsy or under 18 years for neuropathic pain.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, mixed seizure disorders including absence seizures, history of drug abuse or psychiatric disorders, allergies to other medicines (especially barbiturates or anticonvulsants), or if you take any other medications.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Neurontin should not be taken during pregnancy unless told otherwise by your doctor, as it may affect your developing baby and cause withdrawal symptoms in newborns. The medicine passes into breast milk – watch your baby carefully for skin rash, sleepiness, or unusual symptoms and contact your doctor if these occur.
Suicide Risk: Tell your doctor immediately if you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, unusual mood changes, or signs of depression. Some people taking anti-epileptics have had thoughts of harming themselves.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interact with Neurontin, affecting how it works or increasing side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
Dangerous Combination: Taking Neurontin with drowsiness-causing medicines or alcohol may result in severe drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing problems, coma, and death.
- Sleeping tablets and pain relievers (benzodiazepines and opioids)
- Antihistamines
- Antidepressants
- Antipsychotics
- Cannabis
- Cimetidine (stomach ulcer medicine)
- Antacids (heartburn medicines)
- Morphine and other opioid pain medicines
Alcohol & Driving
Neurontin can affect your ability to drive safely and may interact dangerously with alcohol. Take precautions to ensure your safety and that of others.
Alcohol
Avoid alcohol while taking Neurontin as it can make you more sleepy, dizzy, or light-headed. Combining Neurontin and alcohol increases these effects significantly.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Don’t drive, operate machinery, or ride a bike until you know how Neurontin affects you. The medicine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, light-headedness, or sleepiness. Children shouldn’t ride bikes, climb trees, or do anything dangerous if feeling drowsy.
Storage
Store capsules below 30°C and tablets below 25°C. Keep in original packaging until time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Don’t store in bathrooms, cars, or on windowsills. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground.
Overdose Information
If you think someone has taken too much Neurontin, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if there are no symptoms. Overdose symptoms may include falling unconscious, drowsiness, weakness, unsteadiness when walking, double vision, slurred speech, or diarrhea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your doctor may start you on a low dose and slowly increase it to find the lowest amount needed to control your condition. The timing can vary based on your individual response and condition being treated.
Yes, it doesn’t matter if you take Neurontin before or after food. You can take it with or without meals.
Yes, Neurontin poses risks of abuse and dependence. Your body may become used to taking it, which may result in physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly.
Stopping suddenly may worsen your condition or cause withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, difficulty sleeping, nausea, pain, sweating, shaking, headache, depression, dizziness, and diarrhea. These usually occur within 48 hours. Your doctor will gradually reduce your dose before stopping completely.
You should avoid alcohol as it can make you more sleepy, dizzy, or light-headed. Combining Neurontin with alcohol may result in severe drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing problems, coma, and death.
Weight changes are listed as a common side effect of Neurontin, which can include both weight gain and weight loss.
Take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. If it’s almost time for your next dose (within 4 hours), skip the missed dose. Never take a double dose to make up for the missed one.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.