Have you been prescribed Gabapentin? Let's find out exactly what these things are!

You too have probably been prescribed a medicine called Gabapentin by your doctor, right? Or maybe someone you know is using this medicine. So you probably have a lot of questions about what this medicine is, what it is for, and how to use it. Let's talk about all of that today, very simply.

What is this medicine called Gabapentin?

Simply put, Gabapentin is a medication used to treat nerve pain. Sometimes you may feel numbness, tingling, or burning pain in certain parts of your body. Gabapentin is often prescribed for this type of nerve pain.

Also, this medicine is used to stop and control seizures in people with epilepsy . This medicine works by calming down some of the nerves in our body that are overactive, like calming down some of the nerves that are excited.

This medicine may come under different brand names on the market, such as Gralise and Neurontin. However, your doctor will prescribe you a medicine that contains the active ingredient gabapentin. It can also be used for other things, so ask your doctor or pharmacist about it.

What are the things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine?

Before you start taking Gabapentin , it's important to tell your doctor about some important information about your health so that you can use this medication safely and correctly. Here are some things to know:

• If you have an alcohol or substance use disorder: If you have an alcohol or substance use disorder, be sure to tell your doctor because they can increase the side effects of this medication.
• If you have kidney disease: If you have kidney problems, you should also mention that, because then the doctor can adjust the dosage of the medication to suit your kidneys.
• If you have a lung or breathing disease: If you have a lung or breathing disease, that is also important information.
• If you have had suicidal thoughts , plans, or attempts: If you or anyone in your family has ever had suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts, please tell them without hiding it. This medicine can sometimes affect such thoughts.
• If you have an allergic reaction to Gabapentin or anything else: Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergy to Gabapentin, any other medicine, food, dyes, or preservatives.
• If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant: If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, you should also tell your doctor, as this medicine may affect the baby.
• If you are a breastfeeding mother: If you are a breastfeeding mother, inform the doctor about this as well.

If you state these points accurately, your doctor can plan the treatment that best suits you.

How should I use this medicine?

It is very important to know exactly how to use this medicine.

• This medicine should be taken orally with a glass of water.
• Follow the instructions on the prescription label exactly.
• This can be taken with or without food. However, if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it with food.
• Take your medicine at the right time, at the right intervals. Do not take more than the doctor tells you to.
• It is very important not to stop taking this medicine suddenly without consulting your doctor. Doing so may worsen your symptoms.

If your doctor tells you to break a 600 (600 mg) or 800 (800 mg) tablet in half, you should use the remaining tablet for your next dose. But if it is not used within 28 days, it should be thrown away.

When you are given this medicine by the pharmacy, you will be given a special information leaflet (MedGuide) along with it. Read this carefully each time you get a refill of the medicine.

You should also be aware of giving this medication to children. Although it can be prescribed to children as young as 3 years old for some conditions, there are some things to be especially careful about. So talk to your doctor about it carefully.

If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, call a poison control center or the nearest hospital emergency room immediately.

This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with anyone else. Medicines affect everyone differently.

What to do if you miss a dose of medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time.Never take two doses at once. Doing so may cause side effects .

What things can interact with this medicine?

There are some things that can interact with gabapentin, meaning they can cause problems when taken together. So you need to tell your doctor about everything you're taking – prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, herbs, dietary supplements – all of these.

Here are some things like that:

• Alcohol: This is something to keep in mind. Taking gabapentin with alcohol can increase side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness.
• Some types of antihistamines are given for allergies, coughs, and colds.
• Some medications for anxiety or sleep.
• Some medications for depression, such as amitriptyline, fluoxetine, and sertraline.
• Other medications used for epilepsy include phenobarbital and primidone.
• Some medicines for stomach problems.
• General anesthetics, such as halothane, isoflurane, and propofol, are used to induce sleep before surgery.
• Local anesthetics such as lidocaine and tetracaine.
• Muscle relaxants for surgery.
• Opioid pain medication.
• Phenothiazines, e.g. chlorpromazine, thioridazine.

This list may not be everything. So if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs, tell your doctor about them. Some things can interact with your medication.

What should I be careful about when using this medicine?

When taking Gabapentin, you need to be aware of some things.

• See your doctor regularly to see how your treatment is working.
• It's a good idea to keep a journal of how you feel at home and how your symptoms are increasing or decreasing. That will help you when you talk to your doctor.
• If your seizures increase in frequency, or if you experience a new type of seizure, tell your doctor immediately.
• Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine or any other medicine for epilepsy without consulting your doctor. Doing so may increase the frequency of seizures and worsen the condition.
• This is very important! Some people may develop serious skin reactions a few weeks or months after starting this medicine. If you develop a skin rash with a fever or flu-like symptoms, tell your doctor right away.The rash may be red or purple, then blister and peel. Or, you may develop a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpits.
• If you are taking this medicine for epilepsy, wear a medical identification bracelet or necklace. Keep a card with a list of all the medicines you take.
• This medicine may affect your balance, reaction time, and decision-making ability. Therefore , do not drive or operate machinery until you know exactly how this medicine affects you. Sit down and stand up slowly to reduce dizziness and fainting. Taking this medicine with alcohol can increase these side effects.
• Your mouth may be dry. Chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on sugar-free candy, and drinking plenty of water can help relieve this.
• This is also something to watch out for. Watch for new thoughts about suicide or worsening depression. Also watch for sudden changes in mood, behavior, or thoughts. These changes can happen at any time, but are most common when you first start taking the medication or after changing the dosage. If you have these thoughts or feel like your depression is getting worse, talk to your doctor right away.
• If you become pregnant while taking this medication, there are special programs that collect information about it (for example, the Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry). These collect information about how safe epilepsy medications are during pregnancy. You can ask your doctor about this.

What are the possible side effects of this medicine?

Like all medications, Gabapentin can cause some side effects. Some are serious, some are not so serious.

Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately:

If you experience any of these symptoms, tell your doctor without delay.

• Allergic reactions or angioedema: This includes skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, hands, or feet, and difficulty swallowing or breathing.
• Fever and swollen lymph nodes with a rash.
• Thoughts of suicide, self-harm, mood swings, and feelings of depression.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Children may experience unusual changes in their behavior after being given this medicine: for example, difficulty concentrating, impulsiveness, and restlessness.

Side effects that usually do not require medical advice (but if they persist or are bothersome, you should tell your doctor):

These usually subside within a few days, but if they persist or bother you, tell your doctor.

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Swelling of ankles, feet, or hands
• Vomiting

This list may not include all possible side effects. Ask your doctor about other side effects. You may also want to notify health authorities if necessary.

How should you store your medicine?

It is also very important to store your medication properly.

• Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Store at room temperature – between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius (59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Throw away expired and unused medications.
• This medicine can cause an accidental overdose and even death if taken by other adults, children, or animals. So be very careful.

How do you dispose of unused, expired medicine?

This is also very important. It is not always right to just throw medicine in the trash or flush it down the toilet.

• Take this medication to a place that has a medication take-back program. You can find out about such places at your pharmacy or the police.
• If there is no way to return it, check the label or package insert to see if this medicine should be thrown away or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• If it is safe to throw in the trash, remove the medicine from the bottle or packet. Mix the medicine powder with cat litter, soil, coffee grounds, or other non-reusable material. Place the mixture in a bag or container, seal it tightly, and throw it in the trash.

This article is a summary only. It may not contain all the information. If you have any further questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

Finally, things to remember

Okay, so we've talked a lot about Gabapentin today. If you're a user of this medication, keep these things in mind:

• Take the prescribed dose, at the prescribed time, as prescribed by the doctor.
• If you develop any new symptoms, side effects, or feel your condition getting worse, tell your doctor immediately.
• This medicine is for you only. Never share it with anyone else.
• Do not stop taking the medicine suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions.
• Do not take this medicine with alcohol.
• Be aware of severe skin reactions and suicidal thoughts. If you notice any of these, tell your doctor immediately.

Remember, your doctor and pharmacist are there to help you. Don't be afraid to talk to them about any questions or concerns you may have. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

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