Talk:Gabapentin

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       _______dosages______

      I have been put on Gabapentin, 300 ml x 3 times a day. This is my second day and i still have attacks of pain in my jaw from Trigeminal Neuralga.does anyone have any knowledge as to how long should i give this dosage before i increase it.Do i have to give the drug more time to have effect.--Tn pain (talk) 22:35, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

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[edit] I

—{{}}I have been prescribed gabapentin for my rehmatoid arthritis pain. This is the first time I have been without pain for over five (5) years. The drug has little or no adverse side effects and is much safer than some other drugs used to treat pain.

It's quite an unusual choice, as the RA pain is initially inflammatory and later simply frictionate. Gabapentin is typically used in neuropathic pain (pain due to compression or damage to nerves). Nevertheless: good to hear, and I hope the benefits will be sustained! JFW | T@lk 20:20, 6 November 2005 (UTC)
I was given it for disc pain - one of my lumbar region discs has a major issue which has yet to be diagnosed. It is helping me "function" while I wait for my MRI, medical evaluations, etc (YAY! US Medical system for being so slow), and for chiropractic care to hopefully work.
I did want to mention side effects, but not being a professional in the health care arena, i didn't want to edit the page: Side effects include short term memory difficulties (I can't remember if I took my medicine, or why I got up, etc), constipation, and a slight tired feeling where you kind of want to take a nap. For the first 3 days, until my body got used to the drug,a side effect was a complete and total high - I was totally stoned. This effect wore off as my body got used to the medicine.

[edit] Gabapentin & PTSD

As a non-professional, I didn't want to edit this page, but hopefully one or more of you are monitoring a RSS of the discussion page...

For context, I'm an individual with a 25+ year history of chronic anxiety &-> depression disorder(s) (mostly social) who has responded very dramatically to Gabapentin in the last six months, so of course I'm enthusiastic about the drug. A few comments about possible edits to the article.

  1. I found the information about the off-label use of Gabapentin very interesting.. is that a 90% prescription rate for psychiatric purposes? If so, the article 'buries the lead' in this respect, and the introduction should make more mention of the topic.
  2. My impression is that, in Canada at least, Gabapentin is being looked at seriously with specific regards to PTSD. I don't know if that's true elsewhere, of if the results have be anything other than the usual (vaugely promising, but mostly inconclusive). Pending node-local standards of attribution (ie, if you can verify this to your satisfaction), PTSD should probably get a specific mention in the list of anxiety disorders.
  3. Secondhand, I've heard of research with regards to the treatment of fibromyalgia with Gabapentin.
  4. One of the reasons that doctors are so willing to casually try Gabapentin is that it has a substantial history of use with well-understood and medically insignificant side effects, due to the original epilepsy population. This puts it in a different category than most modern psychiatric drugs, and would be significant information to psychiatric clients looking up the entry. And, of course, it's excreted by the kidney rather than the liver.


I'm afraid I have to run at the moment, but I hope I've been not-non-helpfull... my intent is to keep an eye out for replies. Thank you for reading this comment.

ml 12:10, 29 April 2006 (UTC)~


Gabapentin is actually being prescribed off-label for fibromyalgia. There are currently studies being run, and my doc prescribed it for me. This should be added somewhere, but I'd rather not have it immediately reverted.... Arinna 20:31, 25 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Gabapentin and Anxiety

People might possibly be interested to hear my small anecdote:

I have lots of anxiety. From a young age (14?) I was prescribed ativan - basically a fast-acting form of valium. I was taken of that for a reason that's a much more interesting anecdote, but I'll skip that here. Also, I was later diagnosed as bipolar and some time after that put back on ativan. But I built up a tolerance to it and it stopped being usefully effective.

To get to the point, I asked to be put on something else, so my psychiatrist put me on gabapentin. Of course, part of the choice was my manic-depression, but my point is I'm on it mainly for anxiety.


Forgive me for rambling, I just took some gabapentin. But I'm just writing this to vouch that ativan¹ is sometimes used primarily for anxiety, and it works (for me).

Mqduck 14:16, 9 May 2006 (UTC)mqduck

1. I think Mqduck meant to write gabapentin here, although this is speculation. Ativan is indeed used as a episodic treatment for anxiety. ml --69.49.44.11 17:47, 30 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Dosage?

I've been prescribed 200 mg / day for lower back pain. I have not noticed any results or side effects. (I take it just before bed to avoid drowsiness). Is 200 mg too light of a dose? My doctor said if I wanted to take more I could go up to 400 mg but have not done so (yet). Tron 18 10:02, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

I, too, have lower back pain but I was started on a dose of 300mg three times a day and I am up to 500mg three times a day. I have just started noticing some effect on the pain. The drowsiness goes away with time. My doctor said that I could go much higher if needed to control the pain. I am not sure that your dose would have much of an effect at all. Most things I have read about gabapentin dosage say start at 300mg and increase slowly. I hope this helps. cmeeks 1511, 24 April 2007

[edit] Gabapentin for hot flushes

Quick PubMed search found one mention of gabapentin use for hot flushes in a male patient undergoing antiandrogen treatment for prostate cancer: PubMed

and several trials of gabapentin for hot flushes in postmenopausal women/women undergoing treatment for breast cancer. These seemed the most interesting:

Guttuso T Jr, Kurlan R, McDermott MP, Kieburtz K (2003). "Gabapentin's effects on hot flashes in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial". Obstet Gynecol 101 (2): 337–45. PMID 12576259. 

Pandya KJ, Morrow GR, Roscoe JA et al. (2005). "Gabapentin for hot flashes in 420 women with breast cancer: a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial". Lancet 366 (9488): 818–24. PMID 16139656. 

I'll leave a relevance assessment/rewording in the article to other editors. Fvasconcellos 19:26, 20 November 2006 (UTC)



 Hi From: ((C TLC YORKIES)) (( Ohio)) Date: 12/07/06

I have no clue as to use this page. But I was just put on this medication and Oh MY Gosh.......My body says Thank you to my Dr. I am very sleepy and am taking 2 300 mg 3 x a day. I had neck Surgery and it's been down hill since and I don't heal well anyway.. but man. do I feel so much better It took away that tingling in my back, now, my elbows still hurt, There is so much that Iv got going on so I won't go there. But whewww IT feels So good not to hurt...... Was good to read what others have said. Take Care and GOD BLESS _ & Merry Christmas !!! To All

[edit] Just a question

If i had siezures when i was a baby, will this medication make me have siezures again? The only time i have them now is when i have a fever & go to sleep. If anyone can answer my question, please post it as a comment so i know what will happen if i start taking this medication!!! —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 12.72.235.233 (talk) 20:34, 13 May 2007 (UTC).


That would be something to ask your doctor..... Arinna 20:32, 25 June 2007 (UTC)


i have just (May 2007) been prescribed gabapentin for peripheral neuropathic pain resulting from diabetes. i can understand the off label debate. the drug is effectively relieving the pain in my feet and allowing me to sleep, but sleeping 22 hours in 24 wasn't what i expected. since i also suffer from chronic major depression, this is not unwelcome. i dont need my sleeping tablets. i am annoyed by the admitted side effect of male sexual dysfunction. after the honeymoon, it will be interesting to see if i am pro or con.

[edit] Gabapentin and Fibromyalgia

My doc prescribed this for my fibromyalgia, and I read somewhere that there are studies being done to prove it's effectiveness for that use. It is currently being prescribed off-label for fibro... could this be added anywhere? Arinna 20:31, 25 June 2007 (UTC)


According to the clinical study by Lesley Arnold and others (et al) entitled "Gabapeentin in the treatment of Fibromyalgia" (I.D.I.S. # 574153) there was a 30% reduction in the BPI Brief Pain Inventory scale, ans was an iprovement over placebo in the Medical Outcomes Study but also was inconclusive in the mean tender point pain threshold and the Montgomery Asberg Depression rating. Also there was some evidence that gabapentin would influence sleep, which would traditionally be to the advantage of those with fibromyalgia who report problems sleeping. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 216.30.201.151 (talk) 00:45, 26 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Under Clinical Uses

"Outrageously expensive"? Isn't that a rather opinionated turn of phrase for a wikipedia article?

eveningscribe 14:32, 29 June 2007 (UTC)


It's an interesting phrase to be sure. Here a box of 100 600mg pills costs $215, or $30 with an authoritative prescription (that's 22 days worth). In contrast a box of 20 20mg oxycontin costs $70 ($5.95 with authority) (10 days worth). Given the difference in abuse potential and general 'strength' I think the double the price rate is a bit steep. WierdJohn (talk) 07:02, 9 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Low-sodium diet

I have a question I someone can answer:) I have been put on a NO sodium diet and need to know whether Gabapentin contains salt of any kind? any ideas on where I might find an answer? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 201.170.80.144 (talk • contribs) 17:47, 12 August 2007 (UTC)

Gabapentin is not marketed as a sodium salt; some excipients/inactive ingredients may contain sodium, though. Your local pharmacist should certainly be able to provide an answer. Fvasconcellos (t·c) 23:08, 12 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Gabapentin/peripheral edema

Just started taking gabapentin and am suffering foot, ankle, lower leg swelling, and facial swelling. Doctor says to keep taking it. How long might I expect this to last, the expectation being it will resolve itself over time? Is this a common side effect with other users?Towandarose 19:46, 1 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] "abuse potential"

what does the article mean by this? according to the Drug Abuse article, the term is pretty broadly defined, and it's unclear what definition the article uses. is it referring to the potential for addiction? someone clarify. 71.60.151.41 14:47, 29 September 2007 (UTC)

A lot of care needs to be taken with words like, "abuse", "addiction", and "dependence". In the context of gabapentin, there has been some research that has suggested that it can be "abused". This simply means that it is possible for people to use it (often in doses exceeding normal treatment) to "feel good" when there is no underlying condition. In other words: people might "use" it in a way that they should not be doing for effects different than what it was intended for.
In terms of "physical dependence", there is some risk of seizure if someone has been on high doses for some time and suddenly stops taking the medication...so, it needs to be tapered gradually. There may also be some mild withdrawal symptoms. Generally, though, the research suggests that gabapentin really doesen't precipitate a "physical withdrawal syndrome".
As far as "psychological dependence" is concerned, this is anyone's bet as just about any activity can cause this in the right person. Generally, though, there doesn't seem to be too great a potential for this to happen, either.
Lastly, then, we look at "addiction". Is it possible with gabapentin? Well, the answer is mixed. First, it would be impossible for an abuser to increase dosing beyond a certain point (maybe 5000mg per day) and achieve any increased benefit (this is due to the decreasing bioavailability of gabapentin as dose increases....see the PI sheet on this for more info). So, the "depth" potential of addiction is pretty shallow. Also, a user is unlikely to physically "crave" the medication if they stop taking it (other than to prevent the chance of a seizure). They may psychologically crave it, "I need it to get by today"...but even the chances of that are pretty modest.
These are all of the reasons why gabapentin isn't scheduled...it's really a borderline case and pretty darned hard to become "addicted" to in any bad way.
By the way, pregabalin (Lyrica) was scheduled (DEA Schedule V....the lowest / least risk of scheduled medications) because it has a much better bioavailability and was shown to be somewhat "liked" in a study done with prisoners. Again, it probably has a pretty low chance of ever being "addictive"...but it's not a "zero" chance.
Unless you have a super - high risk profile for abusing drugs, I wouldn't worry about gabapentin. Heck, it's used (in one protocol) to *treat* cocaine and alcohol addicts through detox...and these folks (by definition) have a pretty high disposition toward drug abuse. So, take that for what it's worth. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.9.32.49 (talk) 14:22, 1 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Muscle relaxant

Some other articles link here mentioning this as a muscle relaxant, yet there's no info on the article about that...? --212.159.16.241 (talk) 00:03, 9 December 2007 (UTC)


[edit] Gabapentin and Breastfeeding?

The article doesn't mention what category gabapentin is for breastfeeding. Anybody know? I had a prescription but went off while I was pregnant and want to know if I can take this now. 71.197.31.63 (talk) 05:01, 9 December 2007 (UTC)MMurray

[edit] Gabapentin

Hi, just started taked 300g/3 times day - 2 weeks ago for low back pain post operation; 1st wk very tired and taking 2-3hr naps, in bed by 8pm; 2nd week a little better. Has not made much difference to the back ache, maybe taken edge off. Question, how long before the tiredness goes and presume from reading other comments that I would need to keep on, and potentally increase dose to gain any benefit ? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 15.203.169.124 (talk) 12:45, 16 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] dosage- how much/how long

I have been put on 300mg x times a day, this is my saecond day. I have Trigeminal Neuralgia and the pain is still there. How long do you have to give the drug to take effect before you concider increacing the dosage.does anyone has any experience with this ?--Tn pain (talk) 04:37, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

You really need to have this conversation with your health care team. Call your doctor tomorrow, and let him/her know that you're not exactly happy with the results so far. Gentgeen (talk) 05:22, 12 March 2008 (UTC)