What Are Gabapentinoids?

Gabapentinoids include gabapentin and pregabalin. They are FDA-approved to treat a variety of conditions including partial seizures; pain from damaged nerves that follows spinal cord injury, healing of shingles, or diabetes; fibromyalgia; and moderate to severe primary restless legs syndrome. Gabapentin is marketed under the brand names Neurontin and Gralise, and as generics. Gabapentin enacarbil … Read more

How Does Gabapentin Work ?

In people with partial seizures, gabapentin works by decreasing abnormal activity in the brain. Experts believe gabapentin may cause brain cells to produce more of a chemical called GABA, which reduces abnormal electrical activity of brain cells. In people experiencing nerve pain after having had shingles, gabapentin is thought to change the way pain signals … Read more

What is Gabapentin and What is it Used for?

Gabapentin is used to control seizures, to treat nerve pain that can happen after having had shingles, and to treat a condition called restless legs syndrome. In addition to these FDA-approved uses, doctors sometimes prescribe gabapentin off-label. Off-label use means there is some evidence to show that a drug may be medically appropriate to treat … Read more

Gabapentin Information for Patients and Caregivers

Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant (antiseizure) medication approved by the FDA to treat several conditions. Doctors sometimes prescribe gabapentin “off-label” to treat other conditions as well. A 2022 report stated that gabapentin was among the 10 most commonly prescribed medications in the U.S. What is gabapentin and what is it used for? Gabapentin is used to … Read more

Gabapentin Information for Health Professionals

FDA is warning that serious, life-threatening, and fatal respiratory depression has been reported with the gabapentinoids, gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise, Horizant) and pregabalin (Lyrica, Lyrica CR). Most cases occurred in association with co-administered central nervous system (CNS) depressants, especially opioids, in the setting of underlying respiratory impairment, or in the elderly. Our evaluation of respiratory depression … Read more

What is the Risk of Taking Gabapentin ?

Gabapentin is generally well-tolerated and is prescribed for conditions like nerve pain, seizures, and sometimes anxiety. However, like any medication, it carries potential risks and side effects. Understanding these risks can help in using gabapentin safely. All medicines have side effects even when used correctly as prescribed, but in general the benefits of taking a … Read more

What Does Gabapentin Do?

Gabapentin immediate-release (IR) is FDA approved to treat certain types of seizures and postherpetic neuralgia. It’s also used off-label for several conditions, such as alcohol use disorder, fibromyalgia, and anxiety. And it’s prescribed for other types of nerve pain, such as sciatica and nerve pain from diabetes. Gabapentin is also available in two extended-release (ER) forms: Gralise and Horizant. Gralise is approved for postherpetic neuralgia. Horizant is approved for postherpetic … Read more

Potential Side Effects of Taking Gabapentin

Gabapentin is taken by mouth and available as a capsule, tablet, or liquid. Dosages range from 300 to 3600 milligrams (mg) a day, though they are often adjusted for children, older people, and those with kidney disease. The medication is available as an immediate-release oral tablet, an extended-release oral tablet, and an oral solution. It can … Read more