Back Pain and Gabapentin

Gabapentin is used for treating partial seizures in adults with epilepsy. It is also used to treat certain types of neuropathic pain as associated with back pain.

Read more details about Gabapentin.

Gabapentin must be used as prescribed. If it upsets your stomach, you can take it with food or milk. You should take the drug at regular intervals. Gabapentin is available in tablets, capsules and oral suspension.

In case you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the only the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. You should not double or increase the dose to make up for the one you've missed.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Wear disease medical alert identification.

• Follow laws about driving with a seizure condition.

• If you have been taking this medicine for several weeks, talk with healthcare provider before stopping. You may want to gradually withdraw this medicine.

• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• If taking for seizures, do not take antacids within 2 hours of this medicine.

• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines and natural products that slow your actions and reactions.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.

• Change in balance.

• Shakiness.

• Swelling.

• Weight gain.

• Behavior problems.

• Emotional ups and downs.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Hostility.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Signs or symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.

• Severe dizziness or passing out.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• If seizures are worse or different after starting medicine.

• Unusual bruising or bleeding.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.