What is Gabapentin?

What are the Uses of Gabapentin?

Gabapentin has both on-label and off-label uses. The medication received its first approval by the FDA in 1993. Initially, Gabapentin was used as a muscle relaxant and anti-spasmodic drug. Much later, Gabapentin’s potential as a reliever of neuropathic pain and anti-seizure drug was discovered. Let’s take a closer look at how you can use Gabapentin. 

Gabapentin in neuropathic pain 

Gabapentin is a commonly used medication in the treatment of nerve pain(also known as neuropathic pain or neuralgia). Multiple medical researches have shown Gabapentin can effectively relieve the painful sensation caused by chronic or acute neuropathic pain. Gabapentin reduces neuropathic pain and blocks the transmission of pain signals sent by damaged nerves. It changes the way your body perceives pain. 

Gabapentin is used to treat nerve pain problems like post-herpetic neuralgia caused by shingles and peripheral diabetic neuropathy. Off-label, it is also used to treat fibromyalgia in which you feel musculoskeletal pain throughout your body.

Gabapentin for Seizure

Gabapentin is an approved medication for seizures, belonging to a group of medications called anticonvulsants. It is used in the treatment of complex partial seizures and focal onset awareness. Gabapentin mirrors the role of GABA and produces a relaxing effect. This medication calms the overactive nerve cells and slows the neuron firing. This stops the seizures at the very beginning. 

Gabapentin for RLS

RLS stands for Restless Leg Syndrome. In this condition, which is also known as Willis-Ekbom disease,  you experience uncontrollable jerky movements in your legs and feet. There is an uncomfortable feeling that does not away unless your legs jolt sporadically. This happens due to a chemical imbalance in the brain. In rare cases, the uncontrollable urge may be felt in your hands too. 

Gabapentin off-label uses 

Gabapentin in Alcohol Withdrawal

If you continuously drink alcohol in excessive amounts over a long period, you will develop alcohol dependency.  When you develop this condition, you won’t be able to cut back on the quantity of alcohol despite wanting to control it. If you try, you will experience physical and psychological symptoms like nausea, vomiting, headache depression, and anxiety. These symptoms are the result of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

Gabapentin is often used in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. When you develop an alcohol addiction, the excitatory chemicals in the brain increase. Gabapentin produces the effect of inhibitory chemicals like GABA and serotonin. It can help you during your withdrawal in the following ways:

• Assists in controlling the impulse to drink, especially in the early phase
  
• Reduce alcohol cravings
  
• Improve insomnia
  
• Lower anxiety
  
• Makes you feel better 
  

Gabapentin for Psychiatric Disorder

Gabapebin’s off-label uses include many psychological issues. Gabapentin is often prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder and anxiety in patients with bipolar disorder. Since Gabapentin acts on the central nervous System, it relaxes the system if it is overexcited. Since Gabapentin can raise levels of serotonin, which is a mood booster, it can make you feel good during your low or depressive episodes. The calming effect will soothe you during your anxiety.

Gabapentin for Movement Disorders 

Gabapentin has shown strong potential for many movement disorders, like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), parkinsonism, and essential tremor. However, the studies, in this case, have not been done on a large group of people. Hence, a lot is still about to be discovered about Gabapentin being used for various movement disorders.

What are the Dosage Strengths and Forms of Gabapentin?

On Shopemed, Gabapentin is available in the following dosage strengths and forms. Here you can buy Gabapentin oral tablets.

• It comes in a file of 90 tablets of 300mg and 400mg 
• It comes in a file of 120 tablets of 300mg and 400mg 

Who can take Gabapentin?

How do you decide on Gabapentin Dosage?

Gabapentin tablets are to be taken orally which means you need to take this medication by mouth with a glass of water. Avoid crushing, breaking, or dry-chewing the tablet, unless your doctor has specifically prescribed it to do so. 

If you are directed to take Gabapentin in half, preserve the unused portion properly. If it gets older than 28 days, do not consume the tablet. 

Avoid taking Gabapentin with any addictive substances like narcotics or alcohol. You should not take Gabapentin if you have a history of mental disorders. It is best if you don’t operate heavy machinery after taking Gabapentin, as the drug might make you sleepy.

Always stay in contact with your healthcare provider, if you feel your condition is getting worse. Keep updating your doctor about your progress and problems when you have started taking Gabapentin. 

Can I take Gabapentin with alcohol?

Gabapentin works on your nervous system and makes you relaxed. If you take Gabapentin with alcohol, you become extremely sleepy and accidents might occur. You also might suffer from nausea, vomiting, or dizziness if you mix the two.

How Should I Decide on Gabapentin Dosage?

Like any other medication, there is no single dose that applies to all patients. This is why your doctor must prescribe the correct dose. Since the dosage strength depends on the severity of your condition, age, and weight, it is best decided by a medical expert. The standard dosage for Gabapentin is the following.

For epilepsy:

Adults and children 12 years and older— Starting with  300 milligrams (mg) 3 times per day. However, the dose is limited to 1800 mg per day (600 mg 3 times per day).

Children 3 to 11 years of age—The dose is based on body weight and should be recommended by the physician. The starting dose is 10 to 15 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day and is divided into 3 doses. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed and tolerated.

Children younger than 3 years of age— The entire course of medication must be determined by the doctor.
For postherpetic neuralgia:

Adults— At first, 300 milligrams (mg) as a single dose in the evening. However, the dose is usually not more than 1800 mg per day.

Children—The physician will decide all dosage strengths and forms.

For restless legs syndrome, the standard dosage is 600 mg, orally taken daily at about 5 PM after a meal.

Does Gabapentin have Side effects?

Some of the most common side effects of this medicine could be:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Loss of coordination, tiredness
• Blurred or double vision
• Unusual eye movement, or shaking (tremors)

Talk to your healthcare provider immediately if you face any of these issues. If you ignore these issues, it might lead to more critical health problems. Some patients who take anticonvulsants for conditions such as seizures, bipolar disorder, and pain may experience depression or thoughts related to self-harm. In such cases, talk to your doctor or caregiver as soon as possible to avoid further escalation.