Painful nerves and other related discomforts may arise out of an injured spinal column, onset of autoimmune problems like diabetes, and infectious conditions such as shingles. In general, meds forming part of a category known as anti-epileptic drugs are commonly administered to treat them. These drugs are also known as anticonvulsant meds. Gabapentin is a widely used med in this realm. Can gabapentin pout you to sleep? It is a safe thing to have needful inputs before you start taking it.
Drug authorising agency in the US – food and drug administration, FDA – has cleared select meds for treating nerve-related conditions. These meds are categorised as antiepileptic or anticonvulsant drugs. These meds contain a few active ingredients which relax stressful/painful nerves. This relaxation provides relief from pains, seizures, fits or convulsions. These drugs mainly work on stressed signals that transmit incidence of pains in the central nervous system.
What is gabapentin?
This drug is commonly prescribed for the treatment of nerve conditions like seizures or fits. This med is grouped under a genre known as anticonvulsants / anti-epileptic meds. This drug is available as a generic as well as a branded offering. It has an immediately releasing version and an extended-release format. On top of these, a suspended form or syrup is also commonly prescribed.
Gabapentin is administered for a wide spectrum of nerve problems like pain in nerves (neuralgia) as well as convulsions/fits. As an added use, this med can treat nerve problems caused by shingles. The drug is known to suppress pain. Among people who live with fits or convulsions, its key ingredients are known to alter levels of minerals like calcium in your system. It is essential to know of a closer association in between decrease of in calcium and a possible incidence of epileptic fits.
Can gabapentin help you sleep?
Yes, this drug may make you fall asleep. This is one of the reasons why it is taken to treat sleeplessness (insomnia); though this med does not have the clearance for such uses. However, a variant known as gabapentin-enacarbil has the needful approval of the FDA to treat a sleep-related condition known as restless legs syndrome.
Further, research on this drug shows its key chemicals can enhance deep-sleep (also known as slow wave portion of sleeping cycle). Owing to this, you may find your sleeping time to get stretched longer. It is also used to improving sleep-cycles among those who live with insomnia due to substance abuse, bipolar disorder or other such mental conditions. It is also used to bring needful sleep among people who go sleepless owing to hot flashes.
Inputs needed for safer use of gabapentin
Gabapentin requires more than 150 minutes to reach an optimal concentration level. Side effects gabapentin may trigger include slurring of speech, being restless, shifty movements of your eye and may also make you vulnerable to infections (especially, those caused by viruses).
People who use gabapentin notice a sizable decrease in weakness and tiredness. Also, you may witness undisturbed sleeping patterns and a better mental health condition. As an added precautionary measure, it is a safe practice to talk to your doctor/pharmacist prior to discontinuing the dosages of gabapentin; an abrupt stop may cause a few withdrawal symptoms. Last but not least, gabapentin is not an over the counter (OTC) med, and its use is always as per instructions of your treating physician. It is a safe practice to consult with your caregiving team before starting to use this antiepileptic med.
Disclaimer
Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.
