Menu Close

Buy Gabapentin 800mg Online

Why is Gabapentin prescribed?

Gabapentin capsules, tablets, and oral solution are used to help control certain types of seizures in people who have epilepsy. Gabapentin capsules, tablets, and oral solution are also used to relieve the pain of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN; the burning, stabbing pain or aches that may last for months or years after an attack of shingles).

Gabapentin extended-release tablets (Horizant) are used to treat restless legs syndrome (RLS; a condition that causes discomfort in the legs and a strong urge to move the legs, especially at night and when sitting or lying down). Gabapentin is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants.

Gabapentin treats seizures by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain. Gabapentin relieves the pain of PHN by changing the way the body senses pain. It is not known exactly how gabapentin works to treat restless legs syndrome.

Buy Online Gabapentin 800mg and Gabapentin 400mg online

Gabapentin 800 mg – 180 Tabs $199 free $199 Order
Gabapentin 600 mg – 180 Tabs $195 free $195 Order
Gabapentin 600 mg – 120 Tabs $148 free $148 Order
Gabapentin 400 mg – 180 Tabs $179 free $179 Order
Gabapentin 400 mg – 120 Tabs $138 free $138 Order
Generic Fioricet 325/50/40mg – 180 Tabs (Blue ) $249 free $249 Order
Generic Fioricet 325/50/40mg – 180 Tabs (White ) $249 free $249 Order
Generic Fioricet 325/50/40mg – 180 Tabs $229 free $229 Order
Generic Fioricet 325/50/40mg – 120 Tabs $219 free $219 Order
Generic Fioricet 325/50/40mg – 90 Tabs $179 free $179 Order

How should Gabapentin be used?

Gabapentin comes as a capsule, a tablet, an extended-release (long-acting) tablet, and an oral solution (liquid) to take by mouth. Gabapentin capsules, tablets, and oral solution are usually taken with a full glass of water (8 ounces [240 milliliters]), with or without food, three times a day.

These medications should be taken at evenly spaced times throughout the day and night; no more than 12 hours should pass between doses. The extended-release tablet (Horizant) is taken with food once daily at about 5 PM. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take gabapentin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Gabapentin extended-release tablets cannot be substituted for another type of gabapentin product. Be sure that you receive only the type of gabapentin that was prescribed by your doctor. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about the type of gabapentin you were given.

Swallow the extended-release tablets whole; do not cut, chew, or crush them.

If your doctor tells you to take one-half of a regular tablet as part of your dose, carefully split the tablet along the score mark. Use the other half-tablet as part of your next dose. Properly throw away any half-tablets that you have not used within several days of breaking them.

If you are taking gabapentin to control seizures or PHN, your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of gabapentin and gradually increase your dose as needed to treat your condition. If you are taking gabapentin to treat PHN, tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve during your treatment.

Gabapentin may help to control your condition but will not cure it. Continue to take gabapentin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking gabapentin without talking to your doctor, even if you experience side effects such as unusual changes in behavior or mood.

If you suddenly stop taking gabapentin tablets, capsules, or oral solution, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, nausea, pain, and sweating. If you are taking gabapentin to treat seizures and you suddenly stop taking the medication, you may experience seizures more often. Your doctor may decrease your dose gradually over at least a week.

Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer’s patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with gabapentin and each time you refill your prescription. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs) or the manufacturer’s website to obtain the Medication Guide.

 

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking gabapentin,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to gabapentin, any other medications, or any of the inactive ingredients in the type of gabapentin you plan to take. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the inactive ingredients.
  • you should know that gabapentin is available in different forms that may be prescribed for different uses. Ask your doctor to be sure that you are not taking more than one product that contains gabapentin.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: hydrocodone (in Hydrocet, in Vicodin, others), medications that make you feel dizzy or drowsy, morphine (Avinza, Kadian, MSIR, others), and naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn, others). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • if you are taking antacids such as Maalox or Mylanta, take them at least 2 hours before you take gabapentin tablets, capsules, or solution.
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease. If you will be taking the extended-release tablets, also tell your doctor if you need to sleep during the day and stay awake at night.
    tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking gabapentin, call your doctor.
  • if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking gabapentin.
  • you should know that this medication may make you drowsy or dizzy, may slow your thinking, and may cause loss of coordination. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you, and your doctor agrees that it is safe for you to begin these activities.
  • if you are giving gabapentin to your child, you should know that your child’s behavior and mental abilities may change while he or she is taking gabapentin. Your child may have sudden changes in mood, become hostile or hyperactive, have difficulty concentrating or paying attention, or be drowsy or clumsy. Have your child avoid activities that could be dangerous, such as riding a bicycle, until you know how gabapentin affects him or her.
  • remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication.
  • you should know that your mental health may change in unexpected ways and you may become suicidal (thinking about harming or killing yourself or planning or trying to do so) while you are taking gabapentin for the treatment of epilepsy, mental illness, or other conditions. A small number of adults and children 5 years of age and older (about 1 in 500 people) who took anticonvulsants such as gabapentin to treat various conditions during clinical studies became suicidal during their treatment. Some of these people developed suicidal thoughts and behavior as early as one week after they started taking the medication.

There is a risk that you may experience changes in your mental health if you take an anticonvulsant medication such as gabapentin, but there may also be a risk that you will experience changes in your mental health if your condition is not treated. You and your doctor will decide whether the risks of taking an anticonvulsant medication are greater than the risks of not taking the medication. You, your family, or your caregiver should call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: panic attacks; agitation or restlessness; new or worsening irritability, anxiety, or depression; acting on dangerous impulses; difficulty falling or staying asleep; aggressive, angry, or violent behavior; mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood); talking or thinking about wanting to hurt yourself or end your life; withdrawing from friends and family; preoccupation with death and dying; giving away prized possessions; or any other unusual changes in behavior or mood. Be sure that your family or caregiver knows which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor if you are unable to seek treatment on your own.

 

Off-Label Usages of Gabapentin (Neurontin)

Gabapentin is used in a wide range of other conditions, though it is not always the most effective option for certain ailments:

  • Menopausal symptoms
  • Uremic pruritus in liver failure
  • Restless leg syndrome
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Preventing Migraines

Many of this product’s off-label uses are somewhat controversial, as some claim there is no evidence the medication provides any benefit in some of the above conditions, while others claim it produces good results for some individuals.

In other cases the medication is recognized as being effective, but is not typically the preferred treatment; in these situations Gabapentin may be given when first-line treatments are ill-advised for some reason.

Patients are not advised to buy Gabapentin for off-label use without doctor collaboration, particularly if there are any preexisting major medical conditions.

Gabapentin Can be used for a lot of Nerve Pain related health conditions including Cough, Hot Flashes, Alcohol Withdrawal, Anxiety 161 reviews, Bipolar Disorder, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Postherpetic Neuralgia, Migraine, Insomnia, Occipital Neuralgia, Peripheral Neuropathy,Vulvodynia, Benign Essential Tremor, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Pain Relief, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy , Neuropathic Pain,Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome,Periodic Limb Movement Disorder, Spondylolisthesis, Burning Mouth Syndrome,Pudendal Neuralgia, Small Fiber Neuropathy.

Use only the brand and form of gabapentin that your doctor has prescribed. Check your medicine each time you get a refill at the pharmacy, to make sure you have received the correct form of this medication. Do not stop taking Gabapentin unless your doctor tells you to. If your treatment is stopped it should be done gradually over a minimum of 1 week. If you stop taking gabapentin suddenly or before your doctor tells you, there is an increased risk of seizures.

Gabapentin has an average rating of 7.1 out of 10 from a total of 2,320 ratings on Drugs.com. 64% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 21% reported a negative experience.

What is gabapentin mostly used for? Avg. Rating
Anxiety  Off-label
7.9
Pain  Off-label
6.1
Neuropathic Pain  Off-label
6.0
Fibromyalgia  Off-label
6.7
Peripheral Neuropathy  Off-label 6.3
Bipolar Disorder  Off-label
8.3
Insomnia  Off-label
7.5
Restless Legs Syndrome  Off-label
7.4
Migraine  Off-label
7.9
Hot Flashes  Off-label
8.6
Alcohol Withdrawal  Off-label
9.0
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy  Off-label
6.0
Postherpetic Neuralgia
7.6
Trigeminal Neuralgia  Off-label
7.5
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome  Off-label
5.8
Spondylolisthesis  Off-label
6.7
Epilepsy
6.6
Occipital Neuralgia  Off-label
8.1
Benign Essential Tremor  Off-label
7.2
Vulvodynia  Off-label
6.6
Burning Mouth Syndrome  Off-label
7.1
Pruritus  Off-label
8.3
Small Fiber Neuropathy  Off-label
3.2
Cough  Off-label
6.8
Periodic Limb Movement Disorder  Off-label
4.3
Erythromelalgia  Off-label
2.3
Pudendal Neuralgia  Off-label
8.0
Hiccups  Off-label
6.0
Transverse Myelitis  Off-label
6.0
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome  Off-label
5.5
Syringomyelia  Off-label
6.0
Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced  Off-label
1.0
Hyperhidrosis  Off-label
9.0
Postmenopausal Symptoms  Off-label
9.0
Summary of Gabapentin reviews 7.1

What is the Off-Label Usages of Gabapentin ?

Gabapentin is in the drug class gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs.

Gabapentin is used to treat the following conditions:

  • Alcohol Withdrawal
  • Anxiety
  • Benign Essential Tremor
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Burning Mouth Syndrome
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Cluster-Tic Syndrome
  • Cough
  • Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
  • Epilepsy
  • Erythromelalgia
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Hiccups
  • Hot Flashes
  • Hyperhidrosis
  • Insomnia
  • Lhermitte’s Sign
  • Migraine
  • Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced
  • Neuropathic Pain
  • Occipital Neuralgia
  • Pain
  • Periodic Limb Movement Disorder
  • Peripheral Neuropathy
  • Postherpetic Neuralgia
  • Postmenopausal Symptoms
  • Primary Orthostatic Tremor
  • Pruritus
  • Pudendal Neuralgia
  • Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome
  • Restless Legs Syndrome
  • Small Fiber Neuropathy
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Syringomyelia
  • Transverse Myelitis
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia
  • Vulvodynia
  • Before starting this treatment, read the manufacturer’s printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about Gabapentin and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.
  • Take Gabapentin exactly as your doctor tells you to. There are several different strengths of Gabapentin tablets and capsules available, and you could be prescribed more than one strength.
  • You will be advised to take a low dose when you first start taking Gabapentin, and then to increase the dose over a few days. This is to allow your body to get used to it. Most people take three doses a day once they are on a regular maintenance dose. Your doctor will explain all this to you, and the dosing directions will be printed on the label of the pack. If you are still unsure about how to take your doses, ask your pharmacist to advise you.
  • You can take Gabapentin before or after food. Swallow the tablets/capsules with a drink of water. If you have been supplied with oral liquid medicine, see the instructions below for using the oral dosing syringe.
  • Once you are taking a regular amount of Gabapentin, try to take your doses at the same times each day. This will help you avoid missing doses.
  • If you do forget to take a dose, take one as soon as you remember. Try to take the correct number of doses each day, but do not take two doses at the same time.
  • If you need to take an antacid or indigestion remedy, do not take it during the two hours before or the two hours after you take Gabapentin. This is because antacids reduce the amount of Gabapentin that your body absorbs.

Instructions for using the dosing syringe with Gabapentin Rosemont Oral Solution

    1. Remove the bottle cap, and push the syringe adaptor into the top of the open bottle.
    2. Insert the syringe into the adapter.
    3. Turn the bottle (with the syringe connected to it) upside down.
    4. Gently pull out the plunger of the syringe so that the solution fills the syringe to the mark which corresponds to your dose.
    5. Turn the bottle the correct way up again, and remove the syringe from the bottle.
    6. Put the tip of the syringe into your mouth, and gently push the plunger so that the liquid is released into your mouth.
    7. Replace the bottle cap. Wash the syringe with water after each use.
  • Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can check on your progress.
  • When you first start a new treatment for epilepsy there may be a change in the number or type of seizures you experience. Your doctor will advise you about this. If you are a woman and want to have a family, make sure that you discuss this with your doctor before you become pregnant. This is so that you can be given advice about your treatment from a specialist.
  • People with epilepsy must stop driving. Your doctor will advise you about when it may be possible for you to start driving again. This will usually be after a year free of seizures.
  • A small number of people have developed mood changes or thoughts about suicide whilst being treated with anti-epileptics. If this happens to you, you must tell your doctor about it straightaway.
  • If you buy any medicines, always check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with your other medicines.
  • You must take gabapentin regularly every day. Stopping treatment suddenly can cause problems. If it becomes necessary for the treatment to stop, your doctor will want you to reduce your dose over a few days.
    • Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
    • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light. Do not store in the bathroom.
    • Once a bottle of Gabapentin Rosemont Oral Solution has been opened it will keep for one month. Do not use it after this time, and make sure you have a fresh supply.
    • Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

What side effects can Gabapentin cause?

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

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

More common in children

  1. Aggressive behavior or other behavior problems
  2. anxiety
  3. concentration problems and change in school performance
  4. crying
  5. depression
  6. false sense of well-being
  7. hyperactivity or increase in body movements
  8. rapidly changing moods
  9. reacting too quickly, too emotional, or overreacting
  10. restlessness
  11. suspiciousness or distrust

Less common

  1. Black, tarry stools
  2. chest pain
  3. chills
  4. cough
  5. depression, irritability, or other mood or mental changes
  6. fever
  7. loss of memory
  8. pain or swelling in the arms or legs
  9. painful or difficult urination
  10. shortness of breath
  11. sore throat
  12. sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
  13. swollen glands
  14. unusual bleeding or bruising
  15. unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known

  1. Abdominal or stomach pain
  2. blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
  3. clay-colored stools
  4. coma
  5. confusion
  6. convulsions
  7. dark urine
  8. decreased urine output
  9. diarrhea
  10. dizziness
  11. fast or irregular heartbeat
  12. headache
  13. increased thirst
  14. itching or skin rash
  15. joint pain
  16. large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
  17. loss of appetite
  18. muscle ache or pain
  19. nausea
  20. red skin lesions, often with a purple center
  21. red, irritated eyes
  22. unpleasant breath odor
  23. vomiting of blood
  24. yellow eyes or skin

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:

More common

  1. Blurred vision
  2. cold or flu-like symptoms
  3. delusions
  4. dementia
  5. hoarseness
  6. lack or loss of strength
  7. lower back or side pain
  8. swelling of the hands, feet, or lower legs
  9. trembling or shaking

Less common or rare

  1. Accidental injury
  2. appetite increased
  3. back pain
  4. bloated or full feeling
  5. body aches or pain
  6. burning, dry, or itching eyes
  7. change in vision
  8. change in walking and balance
  9. clumsiness or unsteadiness
  10. congestion
  11. constipation
  12. cough producing mucus
  13. decrease in sexual desire or ability
  14. difficulty with breathing
  15. dryness of the mouth or throat
  16. earache
  17. excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
  18. excessive tearing
  19. eye discharge
  20. feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheadedness
  21. feeling of warmth or heat
  22. flushed, dry skin
  23. flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
  24. frequent urination
  25. fruit-like breath odor
  26. impaired vision
  27. incoordination
  28. increased hunger
  29. increased sensitivity to pain
  30. increased sensitivity to touch
  31. increased thirst
  32. indigestion
  33. noise in the ears
  34. pain, redness, rash, swelling, or bleeding where the skin is rubbed off
  35. passing gas
  36. redness or swelling in the ear
  37. redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
  38. runny nose
  39. sneezing
  40. sweating
  41. tender, swollen glands in the neck
  42. tightness in the chest
  43. tingling in the hands and feet
  44. trouble sleeping
  45. trouble swallowing
  46. trouble thinking
  47. twitching
  48. unexplained weight loss
  49. voice changes
  50. vomiting
  51. weakness or loss of strength
  52. weight gain

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep Gabapentin in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store the tablets, extended-release tablets, and capsules at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Store the oral solution in the refrigerator. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

double vision
slurred speech
drowsiness
diarrhea
What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking gabapentin.

If you use a dipstick to test your urine for protein, ask your doctor which product you should use while taking this medication.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Brand names

Horizant®
Neurontin®

Fioricet contains a combination of acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer. Butalbital is in a group of drugs called barbiturates. It relaxes muscle contractions involved in a tension headache. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It relaxes muscle contractions in blood vessels to improve blood flow.

Fioricet is a prescription medicine given to people who suffer from tension headaches and migraines. It is a combination of three primary ingredients which are butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine. Butalbital is the component of the drug that can cause a Fioricet high, as it’s a barbiturate. Barbiturates act as a central nervous system depressant, much like drugs like opioids and other muscle relaxants.

The acetaminophen works to relieve pain in a different way for the butalbital, and the caffeine is included to help improve blood flow that can reduce the symptoms of migraines and headaches.

While in general Fioricet is thought of as a headache medicine, regarding FDA approval, it’s intended for three specific types of headaches. These are muscle contraction, tension, and post-dural puncture headaches. The FDA does not necessarily approve it as a treatment for migraines, but many doctors do prescribe it for this.

While there are risks and an abuse potential with Fioricet, people who suffer from headaches can find tremendous relief in the use of this drug.

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

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

Gabapentin works in the brain to prevent seizures and relieve pain for certain conditions in the nervous system. It is not used for routine pain caused by minor injuries or arthritis. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant.

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

  • Capsule
  • Tablet
  • Solution
  • Suspension

Gabapentin can be used for Migraine Prevention

Neurontin is the trade name for the generic drug gabapentin. It is useful as an anti-epileptic drug and as an analgesic, particularly for pain of the neuropathic or neurogenic type. (pain from irritation or inflammation of nerves). When used for controlling epilepsy, it is usually used in conjunction with another anti-epileptic drug. It is used much more extensively in the medical field to treat pain than it is to treat epilepsy.

The chemical structure of gabapentin is related that of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) which is a neurotransmitter in the brain. The exact mechanism as to how gabapentin controls epilepsy and relieves pain is unknown, but it probably acts like the neurotransmitter GABA.

Animal studies show that gabapentin prevents the development of allodynia (a normally non painful stimulus which is perceived as painful) and hyperalgesia (an exaggerated response to a painful stimulus).

Gabapentin can be very helpful in controlling the pain of trigeminal neuralgia (tic doloreaux), post herpetic neuralgia (the lingering pain after a bout of shingles), the pain of diabetic neuropathy and other neuritic pains such as pain from nerve irritation due spinal arthritis or disc disease and occipital neuralgia. Occasionally it seems to be helpful in controlling migraine and other headaches. It has also been reported to be helpful in controlling the pain of fibromyalgia.

International and domestic studies that have evaluated Neurontin for migraine prevention suggest that it is effective. In a study of 63 patients with migraine (with or without aura), gabapentin significantly reduced migraine frequency and intensity among 30 patients who received it. In this study, adverse events were mild to moderate in severity.

Migraine

Similarly, in a large study, 143 people with migraine received daily doses of Neurontin or placebo for 12 weeks. At the end of 12 weeks, the migraine rate had declined from 4.2 migraines before treatment to 2.7 migraines after treatment in those who received this drug.

This decrease was significantly greater than the decrease from 4.1 migraines to 3.5 migraines among those who received placebo. Of the 56 gabapentin recipients, 46% had at least a 50% reduction in the four-week migraine rate. Drug-related adverse events (sleepiness and dizziness) led to drug withdrawal in 13% of patients in the gabapentin group compared with 7% in the placebo group. The researchers concluded that this medication is an effective and well-tolerated preventive for migraine.

Gabapentin is an effective prophylactic agent for patients with migraine. In addition, gabapentin appears generally well tolerated with mild to moderate somnolence and dizziness.

Gabapentin is an Addiction Treatment Medication

Gabapentin is used to treat cases of addiction in an off-label manner. Different companies, including Parke-Davis, Greenstone, and Teva, manufacture several varieties of the generic drug. Other drugs that have been used to treat the symptoms of addiction withdrawal, for specific substances, include:

  • Clondine
  • Other anticonvulsants, such as Tegretol and Depakote
  • Methadone and buprenorphine
  • Naltrexone

1.Typical Application

Available in capsules, tablets, and as an oral liquid, dosages range from 100 mg to 800 mg. The frequency with which a dose is repeated depends on the specific dose, which is usually based on the severity of withdrawal and the client’s weight. The drug’s half-life is around 5-7 hours.

Generally, it is used during medical detox and throughout subsequent treatment modalities to support relapse prevention while clients adjust to their new sober lifestyles.

2.Treating Substance Abuse

Despite its therapeutic role in neuropathic pain, gabapentin produces psychoactive effects and has an abuse liability.  Gabapentin abuse typically involves taking higher doses in a single administration. The median single dose for gabapentin abuse is 3600 mg, which is 3 times the maximum recommended single dose of 1200 mg. Risk factors for gabapentin abuse include current or previous opioid abuse, previous cocaine use, and/or concurrent use of benzodiazepines or cannabis. Alcohol use disorder is not generally a predictor of gabapentin abuse.

According to Medscape, Gabapentin can inflict users with suicidal thoughts and abrupt changes in behaviour.  For this reason, it should only be used under medical supervision. It can also cause elevated blood pressure, fever, sleep problems, appetite changes, and chest pain.

While it has been used to treat addictions to other substances, gabapentin is most often used to treat alcoholism — an addiction some 16.6 million adults suffered from in 2013, per the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

During withdrawal from alcohol abuse or dependency, clients may experience anxiety, tremors, agitation, and irritability. In order to understand how Gabapentin works, there must be a basic understanding of how the brain works first. Nervous system activity is partially controlled by GABA neurotransmitters. Gabapentin works by reducing activity among GABA. As a result, signals for pain, agitation, and anxiety are reduced, too.

An American Journal of Psychiatry study showed impressive results during the 16-week treatment of 150 people who were dependent on alcohol, noting better results among those who were treated with both Gabapentin and Naltrexone than the latter alone. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry reported on another study in which individuals treated for alcoholism with Gabapentin showed a significant reduction in how much they drank and a greater rate of abstinence than those in the placebo group.

Gabapentin has the same calming effect on individuals who are detoxing from marijuana and Benzodiazepines. Despite claims from fans of the plant-based drug, marijuana is indeed addictive. In 2012, 305,560 people checked into rehab citing cannabis as their primary drug of abuse, per the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. One Neuropsychopharmacology study that analyzed the use of Gabapentin in the treatment of marijuana addiction and withdrawal noted individuals in the Gabapentin treatment group used less marijuana, had fewer withdrawal symptoms, and experienced improvements in cognitive functioning, compared to the placebo group.

Gabapentin is used to treat Neuropathic pain

Painful neuropathy is a common and disabling problem in patients with longstanding diabetes mellitus. Tricyclic antidepressant drugs and other chronic analgesics have been beneficial in some patients, but no agent successfully relieves pain in most patients and adverse effects often preclude their use in high doses. Anecdotal reports suggest that Gabapentin ameliorates pain associated with neuropathy and other neurological conditions with few side effects.

We conducted a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial to study the effect of low dose Gabapentin in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy.

The results of this study suggest that gabapentin is probably ineffective or only minimally effective for the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy at a dosage of 900 mg/day.

The development of neuropathic pain involves several mechanisms including primary and secondary hyperalgesia, peripheral and central sensitisation and wind‐up phenomena.Neurotransmitters play a critical role in the process . Glutaminergic subtypes such as AMPA and neurokinin prime the NMDA receptor by triggering the release of intracellular calcium ions that unblock the magnesium ion plug in the NMDA receptor resulting in the influx of calcium ions into the cell.These calcium ions act as secondary messengers that initiate protein kinase C activation, proto‐oncogene expression (c‐fos, c‐jun) and nitric oxide production.
NMDA receptor activation therefore increases the excitability of the nociceptive system.The rationale for the use of anticonvulsant drugs for the treatment of neuropathic pain is based on the similarities in the pathophysiological events observed in epilepsy and neuropathic pain models.
Gabapentin is used to treat Postherpetic Neuralgia

Gabapentin is reported to be efficacious in the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia. In a multicentre, randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel design, 8‐week study involving 229 subjects with postherpetic neuralgia, Rowbotham et al.

demonstrated the efficacy of Gabapentin in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. Patients were received Gabapentin to a maximum of 3600 mg.day−1 of Gabapentin or matching placebo. The study showed a statistically significant (p < 0.001) decrease in pain scores (using an 11‐point Likert scale) from 6.3 to 4.2 for the Gabapentin group, compared with 6.5–6.0 in the placebo group.

Secondary measures of pain, as well as sleep interference, were improved with gabapentin (p < 0.001). The NNT for gabapentin was 3.2, compared with a combined analysis of three randomised controlled trials on carbemazepine in postherpetic neuralgia in which the NNT was 2.5 .

Gabapentin is Used to Treat Alcohol Withdrawal

I am still on gabapentin. Dose is 600mg three times a day – total 1800mg in a 24 hour period. I had not had a drink “craving” since August 11, 2014 when I quit. (I did this within one week of starting gabapentin). I did have a glass of wine at Christmas, one beer on my birthday, and one glass of wine at Easter. That’s it. I use to have 10 beers a day, and three glasses of wine or gin for bad panic attacks and generalized anxiety. So for me (not everyone) I can have that occasional drink with friends, at party or any social event – then come home and not touch the stuff and WITHOUT ANY CRAVINGS AT ALL – as I had during my 40-year binge. Still, this drug is amazing. AA never worked for me.

“I went on gabapentin for alcoholism that troubled me for 10 years when nothing including Alcoholics Anonymous barely worked. I read anecdotal information that it helped with alcoholism, went on 600mg twice daily and it was the first thing that helped me. Now I take 1200mg twice daily and find it works great! Afterwards I read a study in the Journal of American Medicine, Gabapentin in Alcohol Dependance, 2014 that confirmed it works well in many people for cravings and binge drinking. This medicine should be further studied to confirm it works well. On this site it is obvious it helps a lot of people struggling with alcoholism which I have, along with Bipolar Disorder. I call Gabapentin my” happy pills” that also takes away my anxiety

I’ve detoxed several times. The last one was really bad. This time My Dr. put me gabapentin 300 mg. 3 times a day and Lithium. I usually suffer withdrawals for 5-7 days. I did have anxiety for two days, but I’m on day 3, no anxiety and no cravings

Gabapentin overdose and overdose treatment

Symptoms of gabapentin overdose include:

  • Double or blurred vision
  • Extreme confusion
  • Extreme drowsiness
  • Diarrhea
  • Lethargy
  • Drooping eyelids
  • Muscle weakness
  • Bluish lips, tongue, or fingertips
  • Sudden collapse/fainting
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Weak pulse
  • Sedation
  • Loss of consciousness

Anyone who shows signs of an overdose or allergic reaction to gabapentin should contact emergency medical services immediately. Left untreated, these symptoms can turn fatal. Standard overdose treatment can include any or all of the following:

  • Helping the person maintain an open airway, administering supplemental oxygen, and providing ventilation assistance if needed.
  • Administering activated charcoal or gastric lavage to forcibly remove any remaining gabapentin in the body.
  • Providing support and treatment for coma or stupor.
  • Providing management and treatment of symptoms like delirium, agitation, confusion, or aggression.
  • Protecting the patient from self-injury or further bodily harm.

The good news is, if treatment is obtained in time, most overdoses on gabapentin can be treated and reversed without any significant or long-term complications.

Are there any serious interactions with Gabapentin and other medications?

Serious breathing problems can happen if you take Gabapentin with drugs that cause severe sleepiness or decreased awareness. Some examples include narcotic opioids, anti-anxiety medicines, antidepressants, and antihistamines. If you are 65 years of age or older and/or have a condition that affects your lungs, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), there is an increased risk for breathing problems. Watch for increased sleepiness or decreased breathing when you start taking Gabapentin or when the dose is increased. Get help right away if you develop breathing problems.

Seek immediate medical attention if these symptoms develop:

    • Confusion.
    • Unusual dizziness or lightheadedness.
    • Slowed, shallow or trouble breathing.
    • Unresponsiveness (can’t wake up).
    • Bluish-colored or tinted skin, especially on lips, fingers or toes.

What other medications and products can interact with gabapentin?

Products that interact with gabapentin include:

  • Alcohol.
  • Antihistamine-containing cold, cough and allergy products.
  • Certain medicines for anxiety or sleep.
  • Certain medicines for depression, such as amitriptyline, fluoxetine and sertraline.
  • Certain medicines for seizures, such as phenobarbital and primidone.
  • Certain medicines for stomach problems. (Wait two hours after taking aluminum and magnesium-containing antacids before taking gabapentin.)
  • General anesthetics, local anesthetics, or muscle relaxants given before surgery.
  • Narcotic pain medicines.

More about Gabapentin Articles:

1 Comment

Leave a Reply