How does gabapentin work for pain

In all, 37 studies provided information on participants. Most studies used oral gabapentin or gabapentin encarbil at doses of mg or more daily in different neuropathic pain conditions, predominantly postherpetic neuralgia and painful diabetic neuropathy. Study duration was typically four to 12 weeks. Not all studies reported important outcomes of interest. High risk of bias occurred mainly due to small size especially in cross-over studies , and handling of data after study withdrawal.

Serious adverse events were no more common with gabapentin 3. Individual adverse events occurred significantly more often with gabapentin. Bottom line There is moderate-quality evidence that oral gabapentin at doses of mg daily or more has an important effect on pain in some people with moderate or severe neuropathic pain after shingles or due to diabetes.

Background Neuropathic pain comes from damaged nerves. Study characteristics In January we searched for clinical trials in which gabapentin was used to treat neuropathic pain in adults.

Key results In pain after shingles, 3 in 10 people had pain reduced by half or more with gabapentin and 2 in 10 with placebo. Quality of the evidence The evidence was mostly of moderate quality. Authors' conclusions:. Search strategy:. Selection criteria:. If you take an antacid that contains aluminum or magnesium, wait at least 2 hours before taking gabapentin. Only use the brand of this medicine that your doctor prescribed. Different brands may not work the same way.

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses. Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. 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. Check with your doctor right away if you have a fever, rash, swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin, unusual bleeding or bruising, or yellow eyes or skin. These may be symptoms of a serious and life-threatening allergic reaction called drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms DRESS or multiorgan hypersensitivity.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema. These can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine. 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. People should also check on loved ones and minors taking this medication and seek help if there is any concern that they may have suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Data from U.

According to the FDA, there have been reports of oral overdoses from taking up to 49 grams of the drug. Gabapentin can interact with other prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins , and herbal supplements. People should be sure to give a doctor a full list of their current medications and supplements before taking gabapentin. The results of another review suggest that the following are some of the main substances that interact with the drug:.

If gabapentin causes sleepiness, a person should speak with a doctor before taking other medications that can also cause drowsiness, including:. To ensure that gabapentin is safe to take, a person should tell a doctor if they also currently have or have ever had:. People who are pregnant and those who intend to become pregnant should tell a doctor before taking gabapentin.

Research from suggests that taking this drug during pregnancy may be associated with a higher risk of cardiac malformations in the fetus, a condition called small for gestational age, and preterm birth. However, it is also essential to control seizures during pregnancy, so pregnant people should only take the drug if it is absolutely necessary. People should never start or stop taking gabapentin for seizure control before talking with a doctor.

They will assess the potential risks and benefits. After childbirth, gabapentin passes into breast milk. At low levels, it may not affect the infant. However, it is best to discuss this issue with a doctor before breastfeeding. People with gabapentin allergies should not take this drug. Also, the medication may contain other ingredients that can trigger allergy symptoms in some people.

For this reason, people should discuss all drug and food allergies with a doctor before taking gabapentin. It is important to seek emergency medical treatment if symptoms of a severe allergic reaction occur. These may include :. The extended-release tablet Horizant is taken with food once daily at about 5 PM. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.

Take gabapentin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Gabapentin extended-release tablets cannot be substituted for another type of gabapentin product. Be sure that you receive only the type of gabapentin that was prescribed by your doctor.

Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about the type of gabapentin you were given. If your doctor tells you to take one-half of a regular tablet as part of your dose, carefully split the tablet along the score mark.

Use the other half-tablet as part of your next dose. Properly dispose of any half-tablets that you have not used within several days of breaking them. If you are taking gabapentin to control seizures or PHN, your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of gabapentin and gradually increase your dose as needed to treat your condition. If you are taking gabapentin to treat PHN, tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve during your treatment.

Gabapentin may help to control your condition but will not cure it. Continue to take gabapentin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking gabapentin without talking to your doctor, even if you experience side effects such as unusual changes in behavior or mood. If you suddenly stop taking gabapentin tablets, capsules, or oral solution, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, nausea, pain, and sweating. If you are taking gabapentin to treat seizures and you suddenly stop taking the medication, you may experience seizures more often.

Your doctor may decrease your dose gradually over at least a week. Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer's patient information sheet Medication Guide when you begin treatment with gabapentin and each time you refill your prescription. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Gabapentin is also sometimes used to relieve the pain of diabetic neuropathy numbness or tingling due to nerve damage in people who have diabetes , and to treat and prevent hot flashes sudden strong feelings of heat and sweating in women who are being treated for breast cancer or who have experienced menopause ''change of life'', the end of monthly menstrual periods.

Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.