Nupentin Capsules (Gabapentin)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Nupentin Capsules Used For?
Nupentin contains gabapentin and belongs to a group of medicines called anticonvulsants. It helps control brain chemicals that send signals to nerves.
Primary Uses
Nupentin is used to control epilepsy (a condition where you have repeated seizures or fits) and to treat neuropathic pain, which is pain caused by damage to the nerves.
How It Works
This medicine works by controlling brain chemicals which send signals to nerves to help control seizures or neuropathic pain. Nupentin also has pain relieving effects.
Dependence Risk: Nupentin may lead to dependence on this medicine and poses risks of abuse and dependence.
How to Take Nupentin Capsules
Your doctor will tell you exactly how many Nupentin capsules you need to take each day. Follow all directions given by your doctor carefully.
Dosage Instructions
Swallow Nupentin whole with a full glass of water. Take at about the same time each day for best effect. If taking three times daily, do not allow more than 12 hours between doses. Can be taken with or without food. Your doctor may start with a low dose and slowly increase to the lowest amount needed.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose and it’s almost time for your next dose (within 4 hours), skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose. This may increase your chance of getting unwanted 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
- 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 are not 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, enlarged lymph nodes
- More frequent or severe seizures
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations before taking Nupentin. Always tell your doctor about your complete medical history.
Who Should Not Take Nupentin Capsules
Do not take if you are allergic to gabapentin or any ingredients. Do not take if the expiry date has passed or packaging is 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 and/or psychiatric disorders, or allergies to other medicines especially barbiturates or anticonvulsants.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor immediately if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy. Nupentin should not be taken during pregnancy unless told otherwise by your doctor. It may affect your developing baby and discontinuing during pregnancy may cause withdrawal symptoms in newborn infants. Nupentin passes into breast milk – watch your baby carefully and contact your doctor if baby develops rash, sleepiness, or unusual symptoms.
Suicide Risk: Tell your doctor immediately if you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, unusual changes in mood or behavior, or signs of depression. Some people taking anti-epileptics have had thoughts of harming themselves.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Nupentin and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
Dangerous Combination: Taking Nupentin with medicines that make you drowsy may result in severe drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing problems, coma and death.
- Sleeping tablets and pain relievers (benzodiazepines and opioids)
- Antihistamines
- Antidepressants
- Antipsychotics
- Cannabis
- Alcohol
- Cimetidine (stomach ulcer medicine)
- Antacids (heartburn medicines)
- Morphine and other opioids
Alcohol & Driving
Nupentin can affect your ability to drive and may interact dangerously with alcohol. Take precautions to stay safe.
Alcohol
Avoid alcohol as it can make you more sleepy, dizzy or light-headed when combined with Nupentin. Your doctor may suggest you avoid alcohol completely while being treated.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Do not drive, operate machinery or ride a bike as Nupentin may cause drowsiness, dizziness, light-headedness or sleepiness. Make sure you know how you react to Nupentin before driving or doing anything that could be dangerous. Children should not ride bikes, climb trees or do anything dangerous if feeling drowsy.
Storage
Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Keep capsules in the pack until time to take them. Do not store in bathroom, near sink, in car or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach – a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground is ideal.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else has taken too much Nupentin, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone Poisons Information Centre (Australia 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to nearest hospital Emergency Department. 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 time it takes to work can vary depending on your individual situation.
Yes, it does not matter if you take Nupentin before or after food. You can take it with or without meals.
Yes, Nupentin poses risks of abuse and dependence. Your body may become used to taking Nupentin, which may result in physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly.
Stopping suddenly may worsen your condition or cause withdrawal symptoms like difficulty sleeping, headache, nausea, pain, anxiety, excessive sweating, shaking, 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 Nupentin and alcohol can be dangerous, and your doctor may suggest avoiding alcohol completely during treatment.
There is not enough information to recommend Nupentin for children under 3 years for epilepsy or under 18 years for neuropathic pain. Children taking Nupentin should not ride bikes, climb trees or do anything dangerous if feeling drowsy.
If it’s almost time for your next dose (within 4 hours), skip the missed dose. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a 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.