General Information and Indications:
Gabapentin is used in adults to treat
certain types of seizures in the treatment of epilepsy.
Information For Users:
Gabapentin comes as a capsule to take by mouth.
It is taken three times a day. To minimize adverse effects, take the very
first dose at bedtime. Then take this medication at evenly spaced times
throughout the day and night to ensure a constant level of gabapentin in
your body. Follow the directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor
or pharmacist If you have any questions. Take gabapentin exactly as
directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than
prescribed by your health care provider.
Continue taking gabapentin even if you feel well. Do not discontinue taking
gabapentin without informing your doctor, especially if you have taken large
doses for a long time. Abruptly stopping the drug can cause seizures. Your
doctor probably will decrease your dose gradually. This drug must be taken
regularly for a few weeks before its full effect is felt.
special precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to gabapentin or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications you are taking, especially antacids such as Mylanta or Maalox,
cimetidine (Tagamet), oral contraceptives, and vitamins.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding kidney disease.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking gabapentin, call your
doctor.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or
dentist that you are taking gabapentin.
o you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or
operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
o remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
Wear identification (Medic Alert) indicating
medication use and epilepsy.
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Though adverse effects of gabapentin are not common, they could occur.
Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go
away:
o drowsiness
o headache
o fatigue
o blurred vision (Impaired vision)
o tremor
o anxiety
o irregular eye movements
If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor without delay:
o skin rash
o itching
o difficulty moving or breathing
o clumsiness
o fever
o flu-like symptoms
o irregular, pounding, or fast heartbeat
o seizures
Brand Name(s):
o Gabarone®
o Neurontin®
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