What is Gabapentin?
Gabapentin is a medication under the brand name Neurontin and is an affordable option available as an oral capsule. The doctor originally prescribed the medication for treating partial seizures. Healthcare professionals commonly utilize this medication for managing nerve pain.
This medication is a prescription solution. It is available under oral consumption forms as oral capsules, immediate-release oral tablets, extended-release oral tablets, and easy-to-consume oral solutions too.
The oral medicine, gabapentin is well accessible both as the brand-name drug Neurontin and as a generic alternative. The medicine is typically more cost-effective than their brand-name counterparts. The medicine is worth noting as the brand-name medication and the generic version is offered in various formulations and strengths for delivering relief under certain instances.
Why Use Gabapentin?
Gabapentin capsule is used to treat the following conditions mentioned below:
- Seizures: Gabapentin medicine is well prescribed for treating partial (focal) seizures. Doctors recommend it with other seizure medications, both in adults and children aged 3 years and older diagnosed with epilepsy.
- Postherpetic Neuralgia: This refers to the pain caused by nerve damage caused by shingles. This condition is a painful rash that affects adults. Shingles occur post-infection with the varicella-zoster virus, which typically in individuals might have chickenpox.
Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant, belonging to a group of drugs that work similarly. Its exact working mechanism is not fully known. But postherpetic neuralgia seems to reduce pain sensitivity. While when the medicine is consumed for seizures, it may affect calcium levels to prevent seizures that is caused by low calcium. Incorporating this medication into a combination therapy approach might be beneficial. It is highly suggested to use this medication with other medications.
How Gabapentin Works?
The medicine is an anticonvulsant. It belongs to a group of medications that work quite similarly. Its exact working mechanism is not fully known. But for your postherpetic neuralgia, it works to simply lower the pain sensitivity.
On the other hand, seizures might affect calcium levels to prevent seizures caused by low calcium.
How To Consume Gabapentin?
Your doctor shall prescribe you the dosage of the medicine which shall depend on several factors. Some of them include:
- The condition for which gabapentin is used depends on its nature and intensity.
- Your age
- The specific formulation of gabapentin you are using
- Any other existing medical conditions one might have
Normally, your doctor initiates treatment with a low dosage. This shall gradually adjust to find the appropriate level for your condition. The main aim is to simply prescribe the smallest effective dose.
The dosages mentioned below are normal recommendations. But it is also essential to follow the doctor’s specific prescription which is well tailored as per your needs. The doctor shall decide the most suitable dosage for you as per your health condition.
Forms and Strengths
Medication: Gabapentin
Consumption Form: Oral Capsule
Strengths and Dosages: 300 mg, 400 mg and 600 mg
Medication: Neurontin
Consumption Form: Oral Capsule
Strengths and Dosages: 100 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg
Gabapentin Dosage For Postherpetic Neuralgia
- Adult dosage (age group 18 to 64 years): Day 1, 300 mg; Day 2, 600 mg (take 300 mg twice a day, spaced evenly in the day); Day 3, 900 mg (300 mg, thrice a day, spaced evenly throughout the day). Your doctor might further enhance your dosage post-day 3.
- Maximum dosage: 1,800 mg per day (which shall be 600 mg, three times per day, spaced evenly in a day)
- Child dosage (age group 0 to 17 years): The dosage for individuals under 18 years old has not yet been established.
Your body might gradually get rid of the medication slowly. Your doctor starts you with a lower dose so that too much of this medication does not build up in your body. Too much of this medication in your body can be quite dangerous. Thus, your doctor may change your dosage based on how well your kidneys are working.
Gabapentin Dosage for Partial-Onset Seizures
- Senior dosage (for 65 years and older): Due to potential age-related changes in kidney function, your doctor may begin with a lower dose that helps prevent excessive drug accumulation in your body. To ensure complete safety, dosage adjustments may be made based on kidney function.
- Adult dosage (for 18 to 64 years): Typically, the initial dose you must consider is 900 mg per day (that is 300 mg three times a day, evenly spaced throughout the day). Your doctor may adjust the dosage which ranges between 2,400 and 3,600 mg per day.
- Teen dosage (for 12 to 17 years): The usual starting dose is 900 mg per day (that is 300 mg three times a day, evenly spaced). The maintenance of this dosage is typically 900 to 1,800 mg per day. The dosage is well divided into three doses. Your doctor may increase it to 2,400 to 3,600 mg per day.
- Child dosage (for 3 to 11 years): Typically, the starting dose is 10 to 15 mg/kg/day, which is well divided into three doses throughout the day. Your child’s doctor can adjust the dosage based on personal needs.
Special Considerations:
- For individuals older than 12 years with certain kidney issues or on hemodialysis, the dose of gabapentin needs to be altered. This adjustment is based on how well your kidneys work.
What Happens if You Miss a Dosage?
Your medication might not work well, or it stops working completely. The medication for you to work well shall need a certain amount to be in the body.
Excessive consumption of the medicine could lead to dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Some of the symptoms of an overdose while consuming this medicine include:
- Tiredness
- Slurred speech
- Double vision
- Loose stools
If you think that you have consumed the medicine in excess, call your doctor or some local poison control center as soon as possible. When your symptoms are severe, go to the nearest emergency room right away.
What to do if you miss any of the dosage: If you forget to consume your dose, just take it as soon as you remember. In case you remember it just a few hours before the time for your next dose, then skip the missed only take the next dosage. Note never try and catch up by taking multiple capsules at once. This results in dangerous side effects or severe reactions.
Conclusion
It is well important to follow your doctor’s instructions and not exceed the prescribed dosage. Consumption of more than the recommended dosage can lead to adverse effects which might be quite dangerous. Additionally, when you suddenly alter the dosage or stop consuming Gabapentin abruptly, it can result in some withdrawal symptoms.
If you are worried about your medication or need to adjust your dosage, consult our healthcare provider soon. They can help you by providing complete guidance based on your specific health situation.
Education: Master’s in Nursing (MSN) from Johns Hopkins University. Experience: 7 years writing for online health portals and nursing journals, specializing in patient education and chronic illness management.
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