Get Informed: Gabapentin
Active Ingredient(s)
Gabapentin
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of epilepsy and neuropathic (nerve) pain. It works at different sites in the nervous system, although its exact mechanism of action remains unknown.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-19 6:39 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-18 9:01 PM
Other Names
- Gabapentin
- Neurontin
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 30 Dec 1993
- Est US Patients*
- 3,443,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Gabapentin or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Gabapentin Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Gabapentin interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Gabapentin used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 22,900 patients that use Gabapentin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Neuropathic Pain | 55% | 
|
| Pain-Generalized | 29% |
|
| Back/Neck Pain | 23% |
|
| Fibromyalgia | 19% |
|
| Restless Leg Syndrome | 14% |
|
| Bipolar Disorder | 5% | 
|
| Migraine/Headache | 5% | 
|
| Anxiety | 4% |
|
| Multiple Sclerosis | 4% |
|
| Epilepsy/Seizures | 3% | 
|
| Insomnia | 3% |
|
| Other | 2% | 
|
How well does Gabapentin work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 22,900 users taking Gabapentin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 69%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Gabapentin outweigh the bad things.
- 14%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Gabapentin.
Common Side Effects of Gabapentin
iGuard regularly polls our more than 22,900 users taking Gabapentin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
42% of patients experience side-effects on Gabapentin
15% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Gabapentin
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Drowsiness
-
Weight Gain
-
Dizziness
-
Fatigue
-
Constipation
-
Numbness/Tingling
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Altered Taste/Smell, Bloating/Gas, Dryness, Grogginess/Confusion, Headache, Insomnia, Memory/Speech Problems, Mood/Behavior Changes, Muscle Pain/Cramps, Nausea/Vomiting, Restlessness, Swelling/Edema, Tremor, Vision Changes
Global Patient Feedback for Gabapentin ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
While Neurontin relieves nerve pain to a great extent, the side effects, especially dizziness and gait incoordination, are very troublesome as they may lead to a fall with serious consequences.
86 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-17 14:42:18
Question/Comment:
I take Gabapentin 3x (300mg) a day for restless leg syndrome. Moderate relief.Some drowsiness and vision
problems.
91 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-15 23:45:09
Question/Comment:
I started taking gabapentin in 2000 for cronic, and severe sciatia due to nerve damage. Now, the pain is managable.. it relieved nearly 90% of the pain. I've gained weight, which is a problem, but one that I'm trying to deal with. I don't think I'd be alive had it not been for gabpentin, the pain was becoming unbearable.
55 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-08 17:25:18
Question/Comment:
I was put on Gabapentin in Feb. of 2005 for shingles, which I was on until 2008( I think was when I quit taking them) I had no known side effects, and they did bring much relief. I still have bouts with shingles but prefer not to take any type of medicine
and just relax for a time and let it ease up.
I am 72 and a female.
73 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-03 14:36:47
Question/Comment:
I started taking 2X 300mg Gabapentin every night before bedtime for Sciatic pain due to stenosis of the spine. I have experienced significant relief and finally sleep comfortably. Althlough I am concerned about the side affects, I am happy to be free pof nighttime sciatic pain. The only bothersome side effect is "dry mouth"-- a glass of water bedside solves that problem. Drowsiness is great --iut helps me sleep better.
73 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-20 16:37:26
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
405
Patient Comments about
Gabapentin