Gabapentin doesn't generally interact with other medications, but antacid medications, such as Maalox, can affect the way your body absorbs gabapentin. To avoid this issue, be sure to take gabapentin antacids at least two hours apart from each other. One concern about certain anti-seizure medications, including gabapentin, is that they might cause an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Some studies have found an increase in suicidal behaviors in people taking anti-seizure medications, but the research is unclear about whether or not the medication actually increases this risk.
Be sure to talk to a doctor or mental health care provider immediately if you're having suicidal thoughts. And let your doctor know if you have questions about gabapentin side effects or are experiencing troublesome side effects that aren't going away. There is a problem with information submitted for this request.
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Where pooled analysis was possible, we used dichotomous data to calculate risk ratio RR and number needed to treat for an additional beneficial outcome NNT or harmful outcome NNH. We included four new studies participants , and excluded three previously included studies participants. In all, 37 studies provided information on participants. Most studies used oral gabapentin or gabapentin encarbil at doses of mg or more daily in different neuropathic pain conditions, predominantly postherpetic neuralgia and painful diabetic neuropathy.
Study duration was typically four to 12 weeks. Not all studies reported important outcomes of interest. High risk of bias occurred mainly due to small size especially in cross-over studies , and handling of data after study withdrawal. Serious adverse events were no more common with gabapentin 3. Individual adverse events occurred significantly more often with gabapentin. Bottom line There is moderate-quality evidence that oral gabapentin at doses of mg daily or more has an important effect on pain in some people with moderate or severe neuropathic pain after shingles or due to diabetes.
Background Neuropathic pain comes from damaged nerves. Study characteristics In January we searched for clinical trials in which gabapentin was used to treat neuropathic pain in adults. Key results In pain after shingles, 3 in 10 people had pain reduced by half or more with gabapentin and 2 in 10 with placebo. Quality of the evidence The evidence was mostly of moderate quality. Authors' conclusions:. Search strategy:. Selection criteria:. Data collection and analysis:.
Main results:. Health topics:. To ensure that gabapentin is safe to take, a person should tell a doctor if they also currently have or have ever had:. People who are pregnant and those who intend to become pregnant should tell a doctor before taking gabapentin. Research from suggests that taking this drug during pregnancy may be associated with a higher risk of cardiac malformations in the fetus, a condition called small for gestational age, and preterm birth.
However, it is also essential to control seizures during pregnancy, so pregnant people should only take the drug if it is absolutely necessary.
People should never start or stop taking gabapentin for seizure control before talking with a doctor. They will assess the potential risks and benefits. After childbirth, gabapentin passes into breast milk. At low levels, it may not affect the infant.
However, it is best to discuss this issue with a doctor before breastfeeding. People with gabapentin allergies should not take this drug. Also, the medication may contain other ingredients that can trigger allergy symptoms in some people. For this reason, people should discuss all drug and food allergies with a doctor before taking gabapentin. It is important to seek emergency medical treatment if symptoms of a severe allergic reaction occur.
These may include :. Because gabapentin can cause drowsiness, anyone taking this drug should exercise caution while driving or using machinery. People should also avoid alcohol or limit their intake of alcohol while taking gabapentin, as there is a risk of adverse reactions. The number of daily doses, the hours that pass between those doses, and how long a person takes gabapentin will vary among individuals.
A person should take some forms of gabapentin with food, but for other forms, this is not necessary. Anyone who receives a prescription for the Horizant brand of gabapentin for RLS should take it only during the evening or at night.
Some brands and dosages require a person to break the tablets in half. Always use the other half with the next dose or as soon as possible. Never break or chew extended-release gabapentin tablets.
People should always swallow these whole. It is vital to take only the recommended dosage of gabapentin and not to continue using it for longer than a doctor prescribes. If a person misses a dose, they should follow the instructions on the label or call a pharmacist for advice.
If a person misses a dose of gabapentin, they should take their required dose as soon as they remember. The only exception is if it is already time to take the next dose. In this case, the person should simply skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the usual time. Doctors prescribe gabapentin to control seizures, treat RLS, and reduce nerve pain. Several types of gabapentin are available, and different forms can treat different medical issues.
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