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-Sep-05 10:41 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Sep-05 9:15 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*
- 3,474,000
- 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.
Recent alerts for Gabapentin
There have been no iGuard alerts regarding Gabapentin during the past year.
Gabapentin Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Gabapentin used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 26,200 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% |
mild
severe
|
| Pain-Generalized | 29% |
mild
severe
|
| Back/Neck Pain | 23% |
mild
severe
|
| Fibromyalgia | 19% |
mild
severe
|
| Restless Leg Syndrome | 14% |
mild
severe
|
| Bipolar Disorder | 5% |
mild
severe
|
| Migraine/Headache | 5% |
mild
severe
|
| Anxiety | 4% |
mild
severe
|
| Multiple Sclerosis | 4% |
mild
severe
|
| Epilepsy/Seizures | 3% |
mild
severe
|
| Insomnia | 3% |
mild
severe
|
| Other | 2% |
mild
severe
|
How well does Gabapentin work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 26,200 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 26,200 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 significant 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:
My mom has trigeminal nerve problem and she is on gabapentin for a long time. She is taking 3600 mg daily (1200mg 3 times daily), she is also taking carbamazepine or lamotrigine.
What is max doze for gabapentin? Her doctor said she can take up to 8 pills a day. It sounds a lot. She still in pain and combination of some pills gives very bad side effects. She feel very dizzy, she is loosing her coordination and feels very week.
62 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-08-01 20:43:52
Question/Comment:
I have been on 300-400 mg Gabapentin for about 2 years now - was prescribed for horrible migraines, (possible side affect from fractured skull), herniated disk & restless leg - My husband used to say that I danced all night- no wonder I was exhausted! The worst side effect that I've had is that alcohol -especially red wine- REALLY effects me now. Even 1 glass throws me over the edge! Might be combination of that and the Zoloft I am on. So BE AWARE! :)
Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-07-26 08:36:34
Member Answer/Reply:
I, too, notice that it greatly effects me with beer. I take 900 mgs per day...I am undecided about whether I should continue with it or suffer the pain.
37 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-07-30 14:50:48
Question/Comment:
I'm 27 yrs old and was diagnosed 2 yrs ago. ! take at least 300mg of neuronton at night+ an advil pm 200mgs. In the morning i make sure to eat and take 50mgs of ultram. this usually i take 3 times a day. no more, these meds will eat through your stomach. However i'm going through a bad spell right now, and i'm taking presnisone in the morn., and up to 900mgs of neuronton at night. it's working....slowly.oh lyrica works, but i gained wait! thats why i take neuronton
26 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-07-20 08:36:11
Question/Comment:
I started taking neurontin 4-1/2 yrs ago after a stroke. Began at first with 100 mg...shortly after was increased to 300 mg and finallly 400 mg after taking for 2 yrs. Now on 400 mg every 8 hrs. Able to continue working at a computer all this time-only slight drowsiness in a.m. after taking a capsule. However, it still keeps me alert and free from all those nerve ending pains. Sleep well at night. Thanks to Neurontin--a wonderful medication. Only if I skip a dosage or not take it q 4 hrs do I get a slight tremor in my rt arm.
72 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-07-17 21:05:57
Question/Comment:
Started Gabapentin about a week ago. Have had one cervical disk & 2 lumbar dis surgeries, and looking at more of both in the future. Wasn't getting any rest. Take one 300mg.about an hour before bedtime along with oxycodone & 5 mg valium one of each 3 time a day. I am finally getting some rest at night along with less pain. I so far have had no side affects from the Gabapentin. I could increase the Gabentin, but so far this combination seems to work. Female 59 yrs. old. Wisconsin
59 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-07-14 09:19:40
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432
Patient Comments About
Gabapentin