gabapentin at a glance
Medicine class
Gabapentinoid and antiseizure medicine.
Food
Can be taken with or without food.
Driving
Do not drive, cycle or operate machinery if it makes you sleepy, dizzy or less alert.
Stopping treatment
Do not stop suddenly; withdrawal symptoms and worsening seizures can occur.
What is gabapentin used for?
Licensed uses vary by age and whether gabapentin is used alone or with another antiseizure medicine.
Partial seizures, with or without secondary generalisation, alongside another antiseizure medicine in adults and children aged 6 years and over.
Partial seizures, with or without secondary generalisation, used alone in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over.
Peripheral neuropathic pain in adults, including painful diabetic neuropathy and post-herpetic neuralgia.
How does gabapentin work?
Gabapentin binds to the alpha-2-delta subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels. This is thought to reduce excitatory neurotransmitter release, helping suppress seizures and alter abnormal nerve-pain signalling. It does not act directly at GABA receptors.
gabapentin preparations and strengths
Capsule
Route: Oral
Strengths: 100 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg
Oral solution
Route: Oral
Strengths: 50 mg/mL
Tablet
How to take gabapentin
Take gabapentin exactly as prescribed and check the dispensing label whenever the product changes.
Swallow capsules and tablets whole with water unless the specific product information confirms that a scored tablet may be divided.
It may be taken with or without food.
Measure oral solution with the supplied oral syringe or another suitable medicine-measuring device, not a kitchen spoon.
Only use an oral solution through a feeding tube when that specific product supports it and a healthcare professional follows its instructions.
Do not stop abruptly without speaking to the prescriber.
gabapentin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Sleepiness, tiredness or dizziness
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Headache
- Memory or concentration problems
- Mood changes
- Swollen legs or ankles
- Unsteadiness or coordination problems
Get urgent medical advice
- Slow, shallow or difficult breathing, especially with opioids or other sedatives
- Severe allergic reaction with facial or throat swelling
- Blistering, peeling or widespread rash, particularly with fever or swollen glands
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
- Persistent severe abdominal pain with nausea or vomiting
- Severe weakness or muscle pain, particularly during dialysis
gabapentin in pregnancy
Pregnancy evidence is limited, although available information does not clearly show harm. Gabapentin may be used when expected benefit outweighs possible risk. Anyone planning pregnancy or becoming pregnant should obtain an early medication review, particularly when treating epilepsy, and should not stop it suddenly. Folic acid supplementation and neonatal observation after late-pregnancy exposure may be advised.
gabapentin while breastfeeding
Gabapentin can generally be used during breastfeeding with precautionary infant monitoring and is the preferred gabapentinoid when clinically appropriate. Evidence mainly concerns healthy, full-term infants. Monitor feeding, alertness, weight gain, gastrointestinal symptoms, irritability and tremor. Seek specialist advice for premature or unwell infants or when several medicines are involved.
gabapentin interactions
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about prescription, non-prescription and herbal medicines, especially those causing sedation.
Opioids, including morphine
Can increase sleepiness, sedation and respiratory depression; morphine may also increase gabapentin exposure.
Other central nervous system depressants
Sedatives, sleeping medicines, some antidepressants, antipsychotics and sedating supplements may worsen dizziness, impaired alertness or breathing problems.
Common questions about gabapentin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can gabapentin cause addiction or dependence?
Yes. Dependence, addiction, tolerance and withdrawal can occur, although individual risk varies. Discuss concerns or signs of misuse with the prescriber.
What happens if gabapentin is stopped suddenly?
Sudden stopping can cause withdrawal symptoms and may trigger severe or prolonged seizures in people with epilepsy. Plan discontinuation with the prescriber.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.