What are the Side Effects of Gabapentin? Understanding the negative effects of Gabapentin can help patients make informed decisions about their treatment options. Commonly reported side effects of Gabapentin include: Fatigue; Dizziness; Coordination problems; Weight gain; Swelling of extremities; Difficulty concentrating; Increased anxiety or Gabapentin is fairly safe when you use it correctly. It does come with some possible side effects, though. People who misuse this drug are also at risk of additional side effects. Gabapentin Peripheral edema induced by gabapentin has been reported to have an incidence of 2% to 8%.4,8,9 It is generally considered to be dose related and more common in the geriatric patient population as reported by a pooled analysis of adverse effects from 3 clinical trials of gabapentin utilized for postherpetic neuralgia.10 The incidence of Swelling from gabapentin can be attributed to several mechanisms: One common reason for swelling is fluid retention. Gabapentin can cause changes in kidney function or fluid balance in the body. When the body retains excess fluid, it can lead to noticeable swelling in areas like the legs, ankles, or hands. Background. Gabapentin binds to the alpha-2-delta subunit of presynaptic voltage-gated calcium channels and is used for a wide variety of indications both Food and Drug Administration approved and off-label. 1-3 It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat postherpetic neuralgia and epilepsy 4 with common off-label indications including fibromyalgia, anxiety, mood disorders, and The most common gabapentin (Neurontin) side effects are dizziness and drowsiness. This may affect your ability to drive or perform other activities. Other gabapentin side effects include edema (fluid buildup), weight gain, and eye problems, but these aren’t as common. This case illustrates that gabapentin induced leg swelling can confound the clinical picture and it is thus important to recognize this side effect of gabapentin. CONCLUSIONS: Due to extensive etiologies of peripheral edema, medications can often be overlooked subjecting the patients to unnecessary testing and treatment. If I took 700 mg a day, I still had the side effect, so I worked out the dosing for myself: I alternate 600 mg a day and 700 mg a day by adding an extra 100 mg every other day. That works like a charm; My feet are still a bit swollen, but they’re no longer numb. Amlodipine (Norvasc), gabapentin (Neurontin, Horizant, Gralise), and pregabalin (Lyrica) can cause puffy legs and ankles. Birth control pills, certain over-the-counter pain medications, and steroids are a few other culprits. Some side effects of gabapentin 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. Peripheral neuropathy affects nerve function in the patient’s arms, legs, feet, and hands. Neurontin (gabapentin) is one of the most common treatments prescribed for peripheral neuropathy. Following are some possible Neurontin side effects that caregivers should be aware of. I was on this medication for quite awhile and it did cause a lot of swelling. Then I started gaining weight and I was tired all the time. I had many other bad side effects so I’m tapering off it now. I wish that I had never started taking it. Please be careful with this drug and watch for other side effects. It's not entirely clear how gabapentin works to treat restless legs syndrome. Side effects of gabapentin. Common side effects of gabapentin include: drowsiness or dizziness; headache or blurred vision; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation; dry mouth; weight gain; swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles; back or joint pain It is generally safe but can have side effects, including blurred vision and behavior changes. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant medication that doctors often prescribe to manage seizures However, elderly patients are more likely to have unwanted effects (eg, problems with balance or walking, swelling in the feet or legs) and age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving gabapentin. It is important to recognize this adverse effect because gabapentin is used in conditions like diabetic neuropathy, which is associated with multiple co-morbidities that can give rise to bilateral leg swelling. Presence of gabapentin induced leg swelling can thus confound the clinical picture. Keywords: Edema, gabapentin, lower extremity Gabapentin, a medication primarily known for its use in treating seizures and nerve pain, has a complex relationship with the legs. While not specifically designed to target leg issues, gabapentin’s mechanisms of action and side effects can significantly impact this part of the body. Elevate your legs: If you experience swelling in the legs or feet, elevating them while sitting or lying down can help alleviate edema. Prop them up on a cushion or pillow to encourage fluid drainage.
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