Gabapentin is used to help control partial seizures (convulsions) in the treatment of epilepsy. This medicine cannot cure epilepsy and will only work to control seizures for as long as you continue to take it.

Gabapentin is also used in adults to manage a condition called postherpetic neuralgia, which is pain that occurs after shingles.

Gabapentin works in the brain to prevent seizures and relieve pain for certain conditions in the nervous system. It is not used for routine pain caused by minor injuries or arthritis. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

If you are using Gralise® tablets:

      -> These should be taken with the evening meal.
      -> Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

For patients with epilepsy who take gabapentin three times per day, do not allow more than 12 hours to pass between any 2 doses. The medicine works best if a constant amount is in the blood.

Neurontin® capsules, tablets, and solution may be taken with or without food.

You may break the scored Neurontin® tablets into two pieces, but make sure you use the second half of the tablet as the next dose. Do not use the half-tablet if the whole tablet has been cut or broken after 28 days. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Swallow the capsule whole with plenty of water. Do not open, crush, or chew it.

Measure the oral liquid using a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

If you take an antacid that contains aluminum or magnesium, wait at least 2 hours before taking gabapentin. Some examples of these antacids are Di-Gel®, Gaviscon®, Gelusil®, Maalox® and Mylanta®.

Only use the brand of this medicine that your doctor prescribed. Different brands may not work the same way.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Clumsiness or unsteadiness

continuous, uncontrolled, back-and-forth, or rolling eye movements

More common in children

Aggressive behavior or other behavior problems

anxiety

concentration problems and change in school performance

crying

depression

false sense of well-being

hyperactivity or increase in body movements

rapidly changing moods

reacting too quickly, too emotional, or overreacting

restlessness

suspiciousness or distrust

Less common

Black, tarry stools

chest pain

chills

cough

depression, irritability, or other mood or mental changes

fever

loss of memory

pain or swelling in the arms or legs

painful or difficult urination

shortness of breath

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth

swollen glands

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach pain

blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin

clay-colored stools

coma

confusion

convulsions

dark urine

decreased urine output

diarrhea

dizziness

fast or irregular heartbeat

headache

increased thirst

itching or skin rash

joint pain

large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

loss of appetite

muscle ache or pain

nausea

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

red, irritated eyes

unpleasant breath odor

vomiting of blood

yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Blurred vision

cold or flu-like symptoms

delusions

dementia

hoarseness

lack or loss of strength

lower back or side pain

swelling of the hands, feet, or lower legs

trembling or shaking

Less common or rare

Accidental injury

appetite increased

back pain

bloated or full feeling

body aches or pain

burning, dry, or itching eyes

change in vision

change in walking and balance

clumsiness or unsteadiness

congestion

constipation

cough producing mucus

decrease in sexual desire or ability

difficulty with breathing

dryness of the mouth or throat

earache

excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines

excessive tearing

eye discharge

feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheadedness

feeling of warmth or heat

flushed, dry skin

flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck

frequent urination

fruit-like breath odor

impaired vision

incoordination

increased hunger

increased sensitivity to pain

increased sensitivity to touch

increased thirst

indigestion

noise in the ears

pain, redness, rash, swelling, or bleeding where the skin is rubbed off

passing gas

redness or swelling in the ear

redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid

runny nose

sneezing

sweating

tender, swollen glands in the neck

tightness in the chest

tingling in the hands and feet

trouble sleeping

trouble swallowing

trouble thinking

twitching

unexplained weight loss

voice changes

vomiting

weakness or loss of strength

weight gain

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits, especially in the first few months if you have epilepsy. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it.

These may be cause serious allergic reactions that may involve multiple organs, such as your liver or kidneys. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have more than one of the following symptoms: fever, rash, swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin, unusual bleeding or bruising, or yellow eyes or skin.

Gabapentin may cause vision changes, clumsiness, unsteadiness, dizziness, drowsiness, sleepiness, or trouble with thinking. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert, well-coordinated, or able to think or see well. If these side effects are especially bothersome, check with your doctor.

This medicine may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors, such as feeling sad or hopeless, getting upset easily, or feeling nervous, restless, or hostile. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. If you, your child, or your caregiver notice any of these side effects, tell your doctor right away.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, allergies, or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicines, prescription pain medicine or narcotics, other medicines for seizures (eg, barbiturates), muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your medical doctor or dentist before taking any of the above while you or your child are using gabapentin.

Do not stop using gabapentin without checking with your doctor. Stopping the medicine suddenly may cause seizures. Your doctor may want you or your child to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping it completely.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.