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Symptoms of a Drug Prescription

DRUG FACTS

 Increase Your Awareness with Basic Facts About Gabapentin

BY NIKKI AND ANNE HEART ♥  Updated JULY 30, 2024

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*Picture displayed are of general pills and should not be used as a pill identifier.

The following highlights the facts. More information can be obtained through the sites listed below as well as many other informational sites regarding prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Medication facts can change. Make sure you have all up-to-date information.

Basic Facts about Gabapentin

Gabapentin, brand names: Gralise®, Horizant®, Neurontin®

Gabapentin is available in different forms that may be prescribed for different uses. Make sure that you are not taking more than one product that contains gabapentin.

Class of drug called anticonvulsants.

Gabapentin may help to control your condition but will not cure it.

Gabapentin is FDA approved for:

  • Postherpetic neuralgia
  • Adjunct therapy in the treatment of partial seizures with or without secondary generalization in patients over the age of 12 years old with epilepsy, and the pediatric population, 3 to 12 year-olds with a partial seizure
  • Moderate to severe restless leg syndrome (RLS)

Gabapentin has an off-label use for:

  • Neuropathic pain
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Postmenopausal hot flashes
  • Essential tremors
  • Anxiety
  • Resistant depressant and mood disorders
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Alcohol withdrawal
  • Postoperative analgesia
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Migraine prophylaxis
  • Headache
  • Interstitial cystitis
  • Painful diabetic neuropathy
  • Social phobia
  • Generalized tonic-clonic seizures
  • Pruritus (itching)
  • Insomnia
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Refractory chronic cough

Possible side effects of Gabapentin:

  • drowsiness
  • tiredness or weakness
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • uncontrollable shaking of a part of your body
  • double or blurred vision
  • unsteadiness
  • anxiety
  • memory problems
  • strange or unusual thoughts
  • unwanted eye movements
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • heartburn
  • diarrhea
  • dry mouth
  • constipation
  • increased appetite
  • weight gain
  • swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
  • back or joint pain
  • fever
  • runny rose, sneezing, cough, sore throat, or fly-like symptoms
  • ear pain
  • red, itchy eyes (sometimes with swelling or discharge)

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your healthcare provider immediately:

  • rash
  • itching
  • swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, or eyes
  • hoarseness
  • difficulty swallowing or breathing
  • seizures
  • difficulty breathing
  • bluish-tinged skin, lips, or fingernails
  • confusion
  • extreme sleepiness

Important Warning

Gabapentin can be addictive even though it is used for addiction and is not in the controlled substance class of medication. Frequent use can cause dependency.

Drug Fact Sheets

Read more →

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Sources used:

  1. MedlinePlus, Gabapentin, accessed February 22, 2024.
  2. Assessdata.fda.gov, Neurontin (gabapentin), accessed February 22, 2024
  3. National Library of Medicine, Yasaei R, Katta S, Saadabadi A. Gabapentin. [Updated 2022 Dec 19]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493228/, accessed February 22, 2024.
  4. American Addiction Centers, Gabapentin Addiction: Effects, Symptoms, Treatments, accessed July 26, 2024
  5. Stateline, Abuse of Opioid Gabapentin Alternative is on the Rise, accessed July 26, 2024
  6. National Library of Medicine, Substance abuse of gabapentin, Smith BH, Higgins C, Baldacchino A, Kidd B, Bannister J. Substance misuse of gabapentin. Br J Gen Pract. 2012 Aug;62(601):406-7. doi: 10.3399/bjgp12X653516. PMID: 22867659; PMCID: PMC3404313. accessed July 26, 2024

Note: All information in “Nikki’s Story” are based on detail journals covering seven years of Nikki’s life on prescription drugs.

Medical Disclaimer:

We share informational resources that are intended to help you with your self-care plan. We are not professionals. We write based on personal experience and personal research.

Nothing on this Website is intended to be taken as medical advice. The information provided on the Website is intended to encourage, not replace, direct patient-health professional relationships. Always consult with your doctor before altering your medications. Adding nutritional supplements may alter the effect of medication. Any medication changes should be done only after proper evaluation and under medical supervision.

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