Products

GABAHASAN 300

Uses For gabapentin

Gabapentin is used to help control certain types of seizures (convulsions) in the treatment of epilepsy. It is used for partial seizures. gabapentin cannot cure epilepsy and will only work to control seizures for as long as you continue to take it.

Gabapentin is also used to manage a condition called postherpetic neuralgia, which is pain that occurs after “shingles.”

Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant. It increases the amount of a chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. It is felt that some epileptic seizures occur when there are low levels of GABA in the brain. By increasing the amount of GABA, gabapentin reduces the number of seizures.

Gabapentin also works to relieve pain for certain conditions in the nervous system. It is not used for routine pain caused by minor injuries or arthritis.

gabapentin is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although this use is not included in product labeling, gabapentin is used in certain patients with the following medical condition:

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Before Using gabapentin

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For gabapentin, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to gabapentin or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of gabapentin for treating partial seizures in children. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 3 years of age.

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of gabapentin for treating postherpetic neuralgia in children. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of gabapentin in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving gabapentin.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Using gabapentin with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Aluminum Carbonate, Basic
Aluminum Hydroxide
Aluminum Phosphate
Dihydroxyaluminum Aminoacetate
Dihydroxyaluminum Sodium Carbonate
Ginkgo
Magaldrate
Magnesium Carbonate
Magnesium Hydroxide
Magnesium Oxide
Magnesium Trisilicate

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Proper Use of gabapentin

Take gabapentin only as directed by your doctor, to help your condition as much as possible. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

Gabapentin may be taken with or without food. However, if your doctor tells you to take the medicine a certain way, take it exactly as directed.

For patients with epilepsy who take gabapentin three times per day, do not allow more than 12 hours to pass between any 2 doses. The medicine works best if a constant amount is in the blood.

If you or your child have trouble swallowing capsules, talk to your doctor about using the tablet or solution form. gabapentin may also be given as a combination with any of the forms, such as tablets with solution.

You may break the scored tablets into two pieces, but make sure you or your child use the second half of the tablet as the next dose. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Measure the oral solution using a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

Gabapentin may be used together with other seizure medicines. Keep using all of your medicines unless your doctor tells you to stop.

Dosing

The dose of gabapentin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of gabapentin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For oral dosage forms (capsules, solution, and tablets):
- For epilepsy:
  - Adults and teenagers 12 years of age and older—At first, 300 milligrams (mg) three times per day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1800 mg per day.
  - Children 3 to 12 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The starting dose is 10 to 15 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, divided into three doses. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. The usual dose for children 5 years of age and older is 25 to 35 mg per kg of body weight per day, divided into three doses. The usual dose for children 3 and 4 years of age is 40 mg per kg of body weight per day, divided into three doses.
  - Children younger than 3 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For postherpetic neuralgia:
  - Adults— At first, 300 milligrams (mg) taken as a single dose on day 1. On day 2, 300 mg two times per day. On day 3, 300 mg three times per day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1800 mg per day.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of gabapentin, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

You should store the oral solution in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

Precautions While Using gabapentin

It is very important that your doctor check the progress of you or your child at regular visits, especially for the first few months you take gabapentin. This is necessary to allow dose adjustments and to check for any unwanted effects.

It is important to tell your doctor if you become pregnant. Your doctor may want you to join a pregnancy registry for pregnant patients taking seizure medicines.

gabapentin may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors, such as feeling sad or hopeless, getting upset easily, or feeling nervous or hostile. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. If you, your child, or your caregiver notice any of these side effects, tell your doctor right away.

gabapentin will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; prescription pain medicine or narcotics; other medicines for seizures (e.g., barbiturates); muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your medical doctor or dentist before taking any of the above while you or your child are using gabapentin.

Gabapentin may cause blurred vision, double vision, clumsiness, unsteadiness, dizziness, drowsiness, or trouble with thinking. Make sure you know how you react to gabapentin before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert, well-coordinated, or able to think or see well. If these side effects are especially bothersome, check with your doctor.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the doctor in charge that you or your child are taking gabapentin. The results of certain medical tests may be affected by gabapentin.

Do not stop using gabapentin without first checking with your doctor. Stopping the medicine suddenly may cause your seizures to return or to occur more often. Your doctor may want you or your child to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping it completely.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Gabapentin Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Clumsiness or unsteadiness
continuous, uncontrolled, back-and-forth or rolling eye movements

More common in children

Aggressive behavior or other behavior problems
anxiety
concentration problems and change in school performance
crying
depression
false sense of well-being
hyperactivity or increase in body movements
rapidly changing moods
reacting too quickly, too emotionally, or overreacting
restlessness
suspiciousness or distrust

Less common

Black, tarry stools
chest pain
chills
cough
depression, irritability, or other mood or mental changes
fever
loss of memory
pain or swelling in the arms or legs
painful or difficult urination
shortness of breath
sore throat
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
swollen glands
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach pain
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
clay-colored stools
coma
confusion
convulsions
dark urine
decreased urine output
diarrhea
dizziness
fast or irregular heartbeat
headache
increased thirst
itching
joint pain
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
loss of appetite
muscle ache or pain
nausea
red irritated eyes
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
skin rash
unpleasant breath odor
vomiting of blood
yellow eyes or skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Double vision
drowsiness
sluggishness
slurred speech

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them: