Description
What is Gabapentin and how is it used?
Gabapentin (gabapentin) is an anti-epileptic medication used to treat seizures. Gabapentin is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat seizures caused by epilepsy in adults and children who are at least 12 years old. Gabapentin is also used to treat nerve pain caused by shingles (herpes zoster).
What are side effects of Gabapentin?
Common side effects of Gabapentin include:
- dizziness,
- drowsiness,
- unsteadiness,
- memory loss,
- lack of coordination,
- difficulty speaking,
- viral infections,
- tremors,
- double vision,
- fever,
- unusual eye movements, and
- jerky movements.
Other side effects of Gabapentin include mood or behavior changes, depression, or anxiety.
INDICATIONS
GABAPENTIN® is indicated for:
- Management of postherpetic neuralgia in adults
- Adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial onset seizures, with and without secondary generalization, in adults and pediatric patients 3 years and older with epilepsy
Dosage In Elderly
Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and dose should be adjusted based on creatinine clearance values in these patients.
Administration Information
Administer GABAPENTIN orally with or without food.
GABAPENTIN capsules should be swallowed whole with water.
Inform patients that, should they divide the scored 600 mg or 800 mg GABAPENTIN tablet in order to administer a half-tablet, they should take the unused half-tablet as the next dose. Half-tablets not used within 28 days of dividing the scored tablet should be discarded.
If the GABAPENTIN dose is reduced, discontinued, or substituted with an alternative medication, this should be done gradually over a minimum of 1 week (a longer period may be needed at the discretion of the prescriber).
Store GABAPENTIN Tablets and Capsules at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted between 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].
Store GABAPENTIN Oral Solution refrigerated, 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F).