Gabapentin Oral Capsule

Gabapentin oral capsule causes dizziness and drowsiness. Avoid driving or using heavy machinery while taking this drug until you know how it affects you. It may also cause other side effects.

More common side effects

Some of the more common side effects that can occur with use of gabapentin include:

• dizziness
• tiredness or drowsiness
• loss of coordination
• fever
• jerky movements
• nausea and vomiting
• trouble speaking
• double vision
• unusual eye movements
• tremor
• swelling of legs and feet

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

• Changes in mood or anxiety. Symptoms can include:
  • thoughts of suicide or dying
  • attempts to commit suicide
  • anxiety that’s new or gets worse
  • crankiness that’s new or gets worse
  • restlessness
  • panic attacks
  • trouble sleeping
  • anger
  • aggressive or violent behavior
  • extreme increase in activity and talking
  • unusual changes in behavior or mood
• Changes in behavior and thinking, especially in children ages 3 to 12 years. Symptoms can include:
  • emotional changes
  • aggressiveness
  • trouble concentrating
  • restlessness
  • changes in school performance
  • hyper behavior
• Serious and life-threatening allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:
  • skin rashes
  • hives
  • fever
  • swollen glands that do not go away
  • swollen lips and tongue
  • yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
  • unusual bruising or bleeding
  • severe tiredness or weakness
  • unexpected muscle pain
  • frequent infections

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Gabapentin oral capsule comes with several warnings. Call your doctor if you start having more seizures, or a different kind of seizure while taking this drug.

Allergy warning

Gabapentin can cause a reaction called anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome. This syndrome can be life-threatening. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, a fever, and swollen lymph nodes.

Gabapentin can cause also cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

• trouble breathing
• swelling of your throat or tongue
• hives
• rash

Don’t take this drug again if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it before. Taking it a second time after any allergic reaction to it could be fatal (cause death).

Alcohol interaction

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking gabapentin. Drinking alcohol can make you even more tired. It can also make you more likely to feel dizzy and have trouble concentrating.

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with epilepsy: Don’t stop taking gabapentin suddenly. Doing this can increase your risk of having a condition called status epilepticus. This is a medical emergency during which short or long seizures occur for 30 minutes or more.

Gabapentin can cause problems in children aged 3–12 years who have epilepsy. It raises their risk of thought problems as well as behavioral problems, such as being hyper and acting hostile or restless.

For people with kidney problems: Your body processes this drug more slowly than normal. This may cause the drug to increase to dangerous levels in your body. Talk to your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant women: Gabapentin is a category C pregnancy drug. That means two things:

1. Research in animals has shown adverse effects to the fetus when the mother takes the drug.
2. There haven’t been enough studies done in humans to be certain how the drug might affect the fetus.

Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This drug should only be used if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking this drug.

For women who are breastfeeding: Gabapentin may pass into breast milk and cause serious side effects in a breastfeeding child. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should decide together if you should stop taking this drug or stop breastfeeding.

For seniors: Kidney function may decrease with age. You may process this drug more slowly than younger people. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose so that too much of this drug does not build up in your body. Too much of the drug in your body can be dangerous.

For children: Gabapentin has not been studied in children for the management of postherpetic neuralgia or restless legs syndrome. It should not be used in people younger than 18 years. This drug should not be used to treat partial seizures in children younger than 3 years.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes gabapentin oral capsule for you.

General

Neurontin and generic tablets, capsules, and oral solution can be taken with or without food. Taking them with food can help to reduce upset stomach.

Storage

• Store gabapentin at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C).
• Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

• Always carry your medication with you, such as in your carry-on bag.
• Don’t worry about airport x-ray machines. They can’t hurt your medication.
• You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Be sure to carry with you the prescription-labeled box that your medication came in.
• Do not put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Clinical monitoring

Your doctor will monitor your kidney function.

Insurance

Many insurance companies require a prior authorization for Gralise or Horizant. This means your doctor will need to get approval from your insurance company before your insurance company will pay for the prescription.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.