Gabapentin Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing

gabapentin 800 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: oblongImprint: 1 3

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 600 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: oblongImprint: 1 2

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 600 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ovalImprint: ZE 72

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 600 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: oblongImprint: S G 1 77

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 300 mg capsule

Color: yellowShape: oblongImprint: SG 180

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 800 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ovalImprint: T 3

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 100 mg capsule

Color: whiteShape: oblongImprint: 103

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 400 mg capsule

Color: orangeShape: oblongImprint: SG 181

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 400 mg capsule

Color: orange,light brownShape: oblongImprint: logo and 667 logo and 667

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 100 mg capsule

Color: whiteShape: oblongImprint: AHD 100

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 400 mg capsule

Color: orangeShape: oblongImprint: 214

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 300 mg capsule

Color: yellowShape: oblongImprint: 104

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 300 mg capsule

Color: yellow,caramelShape: oblongImprint: AHD 300

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 600 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ovalImprint: T 1

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 300 mg capsule

Color: yellowShape: oblongImprint: 215

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 100 mg capsule

Color: whiteShape: oblongImprint: SG 179

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 300 mg capsule

Color: buffShape: oblongImprint: IP 102 IP 102

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 600 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ovalImprint: 2 02

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 800 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ovalImprint: G 13

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 100 mg capsule

Color: whiteShape: oblongImprint: 216

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 800 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ellipticalImprint: O E 800

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 300 mg capsule

Color: yellowShape: oblongImprint: 300 mg IG322

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 600 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ellipticalImprint: O E 600

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 400 mg capsule

Color: orangeShape: oblongImprint: 105

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 400 mg capsule

Color: orangeShape: oblongImprint: 400 mg IG323

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 600 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ellipticalImprint: G 6

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 800 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: oblongImprint: S G 1 78

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 300 mg capsule

Color: yellow,whiteShape: oblongImprint: APO 113

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 600 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ovalImprint: NT 150

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 800 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ovalImprint: NT 151

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 300 mg capsule

Color: yellow,light brownShape: oblongImprint: logo and 2666 logo and 2666

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 800 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ovalImprint: ZE 71

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 600 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ovalImprint: G 31

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 600 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ellipticalImprint: G 21

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 100 mg capsule

Color: whiteShape: oblongImprint: D 02

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 100 mg capsule

Color: white,light brownShape: oblongImprint: logo and 665 logo and 665

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 400 mg capsule

Color: orange,whiteShape: oblongImprint: APO 114

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 100 mg capsule

Color: whiteShape: oblongImprint: IP 101 IP 101

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 800 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ellipticalImprint: G 8

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 100 mg capsule

Color: whiteShape: oblongImprint: 137 137

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 400 mg capsule

Color: orangeShape: oblongImprint: D 04

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 300 mg capsule

Color: yellowShape: oblongImprint: D 03

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 300 mg capsule

Color: yellowShape: oblongImprint: 138 138

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 400 mg capsule

Color: orange,whiteShape: oblongImprint: OE B58 400 mg

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 300 mg capsule

Color: yellow,whiteShape: oblongImprint: OE B57 300 mg

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 100 mg capsule

Color: whiteShape: oblongImprint: OE B56 100 mg

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 400 mg capsule

Color: light caramelShape: oblongImprint: IP 103 IP 103

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 600 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ovalImprint: GAB 600 APO

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 800 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ovalImprint: GAB 800 APO

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 100 mg capsule

Color: whiteShape: oblongImprint: APO 112

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 400 mg capsule

Color: orangeShape: oblongImprint: Neurontin 400 mg PD

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 600 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ellipticalImprint: NT 16

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 300 mg capsule

Color: yellowShape: oblongImprint: Neurontin 300 mg PD

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 100 mg capsule

Color: whiteShape: oblongImprint: Neurontin 100 mg PD

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 600 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ellipticalImprint: D 24

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 400 mg capsule

Color: orangeShape: oblongImprint: 139 139

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 800 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ellipticalImprint: D 25

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 400 mg capsule

Color: orangeShape: oblongImprint: 400 mg 234

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 300 mg capsule

Color: yellowShape: oblongImprint: 300 mg 235

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 800 mg tablet

Color: light grayShape: oblongImprint: logo and 637

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 100 mg capsule

Color: whiteShape: oblongImprint: 100 mg IG321

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 800 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ovalImprint: logo and 4444 800

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 400 mg capsule

Color: caramelShape: oblongImprint: IP 103 IP 103

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 400 mg capsule

Color: orangeShape: oblongImprint: G 5028

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 300 mg capsule

Color: yellowShape: oblongImprint: G 5027

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 100 mg capsule

Color: whiteShape: oblongImprint: G 5026

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 800 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ellipticalImprint: G 22

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 800 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ellipticalImprint: NT 26

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 600 mg tablet

Color: light greenShape: oblongImprint: logo 636

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 400 mg capsule

Color: orange,caramelShape: oblongImprint: AHD 400

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 800 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: oblongImprint: S G 1 78

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 600 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: oblongImprint: S G 1 77

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

gabapentin 600 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ovalImprint: MYLAN G 24

This medicine is a white, oblong, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “1 3”.

Gabapentin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Warnings

Generic name: gabapentin [ GA-ba-PEN-tin ]
Brand names: Gralise, Horizant, Neurontin, Gabarone
Dosage forms: oral capsule (100 mg; 300 mg; 400 mg), oral solution (250 mg/5 mL), oral tablet (600 mg; 800 mg), oral tablet, extended release (300 mg/24 hours; 450 mg/24 hours; 600 mg/24 hours; 750 mg/24 hours; 900 mg/24 hours; enacarbil 300 mg; enacarbil 600 mg)
Drug class: Gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Jul 12, 2023.

What is gabapentin?

Gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise, Horizant) is a medicine used to treat partial seizures, nerve pain from shingles and restless leg syndrome. It works on the chemical messengers in your brain and nerves.  Gabapentin is from a group of medicines called anticonvulsants.  

Different brands of gabapentin are not interchangeable and they are FDA approved for different conditions. Use only the brand and form of gabapentin your doctor has prescribed. Check your medicine each time you get a refill to make sure you receive the correct form. 

Neurontin (gabapentin) is used to treat pain you may have from shingles (postherpetic nerve pain). It is also used with other seizure medicines for partial onset seizures in patients 3 years and older.

Gralise (gabapentin) is only used for pain after having shingles (postherpetic nerve pain). It should not be used for any other medical condition.

Horizant (gabapentin enacarbil) is an extended release tablet used to treat restless legs syndrome and for the pain from having shingles (postherpetic nerve pain).

Generic brands of gabapentin capsules, USP are used for postherpetic nerve pain and for add on therapy for partial onset seizures in patients 3 years and older

Warnings

Gabapentin can cause life-threatening breathing problems, especially if you already have a breathing disorder or if you use other medicines that can make you drowsy or slow your breathing. Seek emergency medical attention if you have very slow breathing.

Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking seizure medicine. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Tell your doctor right away if you have any sudden changes in mood or behavior, or thoughts about suicide.

Seizures may increase if you stop using gabapentin suddenly. Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how gabapentin will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Do not stop using gabapentin suddenly, even if you feel fine.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take gabapentin if you are allergic to it.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• breathing problems;

• diabetes;

• depression, a mood disorder, or suicidal thoughts or actions;

• drink alcohol;

• a history of drug addiction;

• a seizure;

• (patients with RLS) if you are a day sleeper or work a night shift; or

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).

Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking seizure medicine. Children taking gabapentin may have behavior changes. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your family or caregivers should also watch for sudden changes in your behavior.

It is not known if gabapentin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Do not start or stop seizure medication during pregnancy without your doctor’s advice. Having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of gabapentin on the baby.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using gabapentin.

How should I take gabapentin?

Take gabapentin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Never take gabapentin in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed.

Your dose needs may change if you switch to a different brand, strength, or form of this medicine. Avoid medication errors by using only the medicine your doctor prescribes.

Both Gralise and Horizant should be taken with food.

Neurontin can be taken with or without food.

If you break a tablet and take only half of it, take the other half at your next dose. Any tablet that has been broken should be used as soon as possible or within a few days.

Swallow the tablets of Gralise and Horizant whole. Do not crush, break, or dissolve them. Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open the capsule.

Measure liquid medicine with the supplied measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Doses are based on weight in children. Your child’s dose may change if the child gains or loses weight.

You should not stop taking gabapentin suddenly. Stopping suddenly may cause increased seizures. Follow your doctor’s instructions about tapering your dose.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using gabapentin.

Your kidney function may need to be checked often and your dose may change based on the results.

Store tablets and capsules at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Store the liquid medicine in the refrigerator, do not freeze.

Follow all storage instructions provided. Your pharmacist can provide more information about how to store this medicine.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Epilepsy:

Initial dose: 300 mg orally on day one, 300 mg orally 2 times day on day two, then 300 mg orally 3 times a day on day three
Maintenance dose: 300 to 600 mg orally 3 times a day
Maximum dose: 3600 mg orally daily (in 3 divided doses)
-Maximum time between doses in the 3 times a day schedule should not exceed 12 hours

-The safety and effectiveness of gabapentin available under the trade name Gralise or Horizant in patients with epilepsy has not been studied.

Use: Adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial onset seizures, with and without secondary generalization

Usual Adult Dose for Postherpetic Neuralgia:

-Initial dose: 300 mg orally on day one, 300 mg orally 2 times day on day two, then 300 mg orally 3 times a day on day three
-Titrate up as needed for pain relief
-Maximum dose: 1800 mg per day (600 mg orally 3 times a day)
Gabapentin available under the trade name Gralise:
-Maintenance dose: Gralise should be titrated to 1800 mg orally once daily with the evening meal.
-Recommended titration schedule:
Day 1: 300 mg orally with the evening meal
Day 2: 600 mg orally with the evening meal
Days 3 through 6: 900 mg orally with the evening meal
Days 7 through 10: 1200 mg orally with the evening meal
Days 11 through 14: 1500 mg orally with the evening meal
Day 15: 1800 mg orally with the evening meal
COMMENT:
-Gralise is not interchangeable with other gabapentin products because of differing pharmacokinetic profiles that affect the frequency of administration.

Gabapentin enacarbil extended release tablets are available under the trade name Horizant:
-The recommended dosage is 600 mg orally 2 times a day. Therapy should be initiated at a dose of 600 mg orally in the morning for 3 days of therapy, then increased to 600 mg 2 times a day (1200 mg/day) on day four.
COMMENT:
Gabapentin enacarbil extended release tablets available under the trade name Horizant and gabapentin are not interchangeable.

Use: Postherpetic neuralgia

Usual Adult Dose for Restless Legs Syndrome:

Gabapentin enacarbil available under the trade name Horizant:
600 mg orally once daily with food at about 5 PM

Use: For the treatment of moderate-to-severe primary Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) in adults

Usual Pediatric Dose for Epilepsy:

Less than 3 years: Not recommended

Greater than or equal to 3 and less than 12 years:
Starting Dose: Ranges from 10 to 15 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses
Effective Dose: Reached by upward titration over a period of approximately 3 days; the effective dose in patients 5 years of age and older is 25 to 35 mg/kg/day in divided doses (3 times a day). The effective dose in pediatric patients ages 3 and 4 years is 40 mg/kg/day and given in divided doses (3 times a day). Gabapentin may be administered as the oral solution, capsule, or tablet, or using combinations of these formulations. Dosages up to 50 mg/kg/day have been well tolerated in a long term clinical study. The maximum time interval between doses should not exceed 12 hours.

Greater than 12 years:
-Initial dose: 300 mg orally on day one, 300 mg orally 2 times a day on day two, then 300 mg orally 3 times a day on day three
-Maintenance dose: 900 to 1800 mg orally in 3 divided doses; the dose may be increased up to 1800 mg/day. Dosages up to 2400 mg/day have been well tolerated in long term clinical studies. Doses of 3600 mg/day have also been administered to a small number of patients for a relatively short duration, and have been well tolerated. The maximum time between doses in the three times a day schedule should not exceed 12 hours.

Use: Adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial onset seizures, with and without secondary generalization in patients 3 years of age and older<

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

If you take Horizant: skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include slow breathing, double vision, tremor, slurred speech, drowsiness, change in your mental state, dizziness, tiredness, or diarrhea.

What should I avoid while taking gabapentin?

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how gabapentin will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Avoid taking an antacid within 2 hours before you take gabapentin.

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects could occur.

Gabapentin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to gabapentin: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Tell your doctor right away if you have new or sudden changes in mood or behavior, including new or worse depression or anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, more active or talkative, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Gabapentin can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication or alcohol. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

Some side effects are more likely in children taking gabapentin. Call your doctor if the child has any of the following side effects: behavior changes, memory problems, trouble concentrating, or acting restless, hostile, or aggressive.

Gabapentin may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• drowsiness, dizziness, weakness;

• problems with balance or muscle movement; or

• increased seizures.

Common gabapentin side effects may include:

• fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, tiredness;

• headache;

• swelling of your legs and feet;

• trouble speaking;

• vision problems, dizziness, drowsiness;

• tremors, problems with balance or muscle movement; or

• nausea, vomiting.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect gabapentin?

Taking gabapentin with other drugs that make you drowsy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Ask your doctor before taking opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect gabapentin, especially:

• naproxen;

• opioid medicine – hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, buprenorphine;

• zolpidem;

• lorazepam; or

• cimetidine.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect gabapentin. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Popular FAQ

Gabapentin can help relieve nerve pain in some people with postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain after shingles) and peripheral diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain in the feet in people with diabetes). A Cochrane review reported that 3 to 4 patients out of every 10 with either of these conditions experienced at least a 50% reduction in pain intensity when prescribed gabapentin at dosages of 1800mg-3600 mg/day (gabapentin encarbil: 1200mg-3600 mg/day). This compared with only 1 or 2 out of every 10 given a placebo (an inactive treatment). People who had an improvement in pain relief with gabapentin are also expected to experience an improvement in sleep, fatigue, and in their mood. Continue reading

Gabapentin is commonly used to treat some types of nerve pain but is classified as an anticonvulsant medicine, not as an opioid or painkiller. Gabapentin is used to treat postherpetic neuralgia, a type nerve pain that can occur due to an outbreak of shingles, and restless legs syndrome (RLS), an uncomfortable urge to move your legs around, often at night. Continue reading

Case reports have shown that gabapentin withdrawal can last for 5 to 10 days or longer, but the duration has not been well established in human studies. The symptoms and how long they last depend on how much of the drug you are taking and for how long you’ve been taking it. Continue reading

Gabapentin may cause weight gain, but it is an uncommon side effect. Studies have shown that a small number of people taking gabapentin weight gain. People who do gain weight may gain about 5 pounds after 6 weeks of use. Continue reading

It can take several weeks for gabapentin to reach its full effect, but this depends on the condition being treated and your individual response to the drug. Continue reading

Gabapentin is safe for dogs and is commonly prescribed by veterinarians to treat seizures, pain, and anxiety in dogs. It has a low risk of side effects. Continue reading

More FAQ

• Lyrica vs Gabapentin: What’s the difference?

View more FAQ

More about gabapentin

• Check interactions
• Compare alternatives
• Pricing & coupons
• Reviews (2,462)
• Drug images
• Latest FDA alerts (4)
• Side effects
• Dosage information
• Patient tips
• During pregnancy
• Support group
• Drug class: gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs
• Breastfeeding
• En español

Patient resources

• Patient Information
• Gabapentin Oral Solution
• Gabapentin Tablets (PHN)
• Gabapentin Tablets 600 mg and 800 mg

Other brands

Neurontin, Gralise, Gabarone

Professional resources

• Prescribing Information

Related treatment guides

• Anxiety
• Benign Essential Tremor
• Alcohol Withdrawal
• Alcohol Use Disorder

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use gabapentin only for the indication prescribed.