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Gabapentin- Learn about GabapentinSide Effects and Precautions

GabapentinInformation

The pharmacology action of Gabapentinis that it mechanism unknown; structurally related to GABA, but does not react with GABA receptors.

Gabapentinis used in adjunctive therapy in treatment of partial seizures with or without secondary generalization in patients older than 12 yr of age with epilepsy; adjunctive therapy for partial seizures in children 3 to 12 yr of age; management of postherpetic neuralgia in adults

Interaction and Contraindication of Gabapentin

Interaction of Gabapentin- Antacids:  May reduce bioavailability of gabapentin. Take gabapentin 2 hr after antacid.
Cimetidine:  Reduces renal Cl of gabapentin.
Hydrocodone:  The AUC of gabapentin may be increase by 14%.
Morphine:  The AUC of gabapentin may be increased 44%.
Naproxen:  Gabapentin absorption may be increased 12% to 15% by naproxen.
Oral contraceptives:  Norethindrone plasma levels may be increased 13%, which is not expected to be clinically important

Contraindication of Gabapentin- Standard considerations

Side Effects of Gabapentin

Here are the list of some common side effects of Gabapentin:

• Vasodilation (1%); hypertension (at least 1%).
• Abrasion, pruritus, rash (1%); erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (postmarketing).
• Diplopia (6%); amblyopia, rhinitis (4%); pharyngitis (3%); conjunctivitis, otitis media (1%); abnormal vision (at least 1%).
  

Precaution and Warning while taking Gabapentin

The precaution and warnings of Gabapentindrug is as follows:

• Advise patient or caregiver to read the Patient Information leaflet before starting therapy and with each refill.
• Instruct patient with epilepsy to continue to take other medications for seizures unless advised otherwise by health care provider.
• Advise patient or caregiver that medication will be started at a low dose and then increased as tolerated until max benefit has been obtained.
• Instruct patient or caregiver to take exactly as prescribed and not to change the dose or discontinue therapy unless advised by health care provider.
• Advise patient or caregiver to take without regard to meals but to take with food if stomach upset occurs.
• Advise patient or caregiver that max time between doses in tid schedule should not exceed 12 hr.
• Advise patient or caregiver splitting 600 or 800 mg scored tablet to administer a half-tablet dose, to administer the unused half-tablet at the next dose, and to discard any half-tablet not used within several days of splitting.

How to store Gabapentin

• Administer medication with or without food and at least 2 hr after antacid administration.
• Administer initial dose on day 1 at bedtime to minimize CNS side effects.
• Titrate to effective dose given tid up to 1,800 mg/day; max time between doses in tid schedule should not exceed 12 hr.
• Discontinue medication gradually over minimum of 1 wk.
• Store medication in tightly sealed container