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-13 7:09 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-12 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*
- 3,440,000
- 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 22,800 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 22,800 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 22,800 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:
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
Question/Comment:
I take 600mg of Gabapentin 3x a day For spinal stenois.It works great for me .It hasn't got rid of all the pain but i fell 100% better with out any side effects..
75 year old male
75 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-20 09:31:42
Question/Comment:
I am an almost 50yo male taking Gabapentin (600mg)x3 a day, Percocet (10/325mg) at least once a day, Cymbalta (90mg) and other meds for allergies, high cholesterol etc.
I have L4,L5&S1 vertebrae stabilization problems as well as a 'Pars Defect' on S1. I have gained about 40lbs in the past couple of years. Mobility is a problem due to the back pain so I have not been able to exercise at all and can only walk very short distances.
I am very concerned about drug interactions.
50 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-12 23:57:58
Answer/Reply:
I take (400mg) Gabapentin x 2 per day, originally on (800mg) x 2 per day(and Cymbalta, RequipXL, Methadone(10 mg, pain only), Abilify, Aplenzin, Topomax, and Nuvigil). Had to cut back a bit on the Gabapentin due to steady increase in weight (35+ lbs now.) and constant drowsiness. I too am very concerned about drug interactions and especially sedation which is severe on occasion, taking the Nuvigil to offset and drinking plenty of coffee!!
59 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-22 02:21:21
Answer/Reply:
Sir,
I do hope I do not offend you by saying this. I was at a point in my life 10 years ago that I would have done anything to get rid of the pain I was experiencing. I went to a pain management doctor and took every medicine he prescribed at the amount and frequency he said to. One of the many addictive drugs he prescribed me was Methodone. Please believe me when I say, "this is a very addictive drug." I would get relief for a time, and then it would stop working. The doctor continually increased the amount of Methodone I was taking along with SOMA, Vicadon, and other Opiates. He was supposed to be a good doctor. He said Methadone, contrary to popular belief, was not an addictive drug.
He was wrong.
A hospital stay and near death and the care of an excellent doctor (a new one) brought me back to life. Real life. a life that even with some pain, was both manageable and fulfulling.
At least get a second opinion. We don't have to be famous people like Michael Jackson, Anna Nicole Smith and the like to fall victim to the medical profession at its worst.
God be with you..
51 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-13 15:05:54
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402
Patient Comments about
Gabapentin